Youth Sailing Foundation (YSF) sent a team of three special needs sailors and their coaches to the U.S. Sailing Center Martin County in Jensen Beach to participate in the “Sail for Success” regatta on August 12, 2023. With parents and caregivers on-hand to cheer, the regatta was a backdrop for a family festival in celebration of the courageous children and young adults who overcome severe challenges to sail these beautiful boats. A fleet of twelve perfectly matched Hobie Wave catamarans lined a beautiful crescent beach ready for the 10 AM launch.
These light-weight shallow draft catamaran sailboats are perfect for the light-air conditions often found on the Indian River Lagoon in summer. With a large trampoline and handy cross-bar connecting the duel tillers, they are perfect for sailor and coach. YSF has a fleet of four Hobie Waves that are intensively used by twenty-two special needs sailors and the hundreds of children that sail at YSF during the school year and summer camps.
After the sailors and their coaches rigged the boats and checked all the safety gear, the fleet was off the beach and headed to the triangular race course set in the center of the two-mile wide Lagoon. With a light 5-8 knot southeasterly breeze the conditions were perfect as the boats glided silently around the course. The peaceful tranquility of the scene was interrupted by cheering parents observing from a pontoon boat at the finish line.
After a lunch break of hamburgers and hotdogs grilled by volunteers the sailors had a chance to hone their sailing skills with an afternoon of friendly competition. The day wrapped-up with an awards ceremony and every sailor receiving a commemorative pennant that will adorn many a bedroom wall as a reminder of a memorable day on the water.
Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit devoted to eliminating cultural and financial barriers to sailing. Numerous youth programs are offered throughout the year, many of them free to participants. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit: www.ysfirc.org.
