VERO BEACH — True sailors have a little extra salt-water coursing through their veins; their love of the sport as much a part of their lives as breathing. Even when life’s journey strands them on dry land, they will find a way to catch a breeze and set sail once more.
For the past three years, experienced blue water mariners have been imparting their knowledge to scores of boys and girls, engendering a whole new fleet of eager young sailors through the Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County.
On Saturday, the organization hosted a ribbon cutting and open house at its new facility, located at the foot of the Alma Lee Loy Bridge alongside the City of Vero Beach Water Treatment Plant.
The Youth Sailing Foundation was the brainchild of board chairman Charles Pope, who was joined in the effort by members of the Vero Beach Power Squadron, the Moorings Yacht Club, the Vero Beach Yacht Club, and a vast, knowledgeable crew of volunteers.
The program rapidly outgrew its original space at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina, and the City of Vero Beach stepped in to offer a lease at the well-suited new location.
“This is a real miracle, what Charlie’s pulled off,” said Sheila Marshall.
She and husband, George, past-Commodore of The Moorings Yacht Club, were among the invited guests who attended the official opening ceremony. The Moorings Yacht Club has sponsored four boats and is getting ready to start on another, and has also hosted a summer sailing camp to get new children involved.
The Youth Sailing Foundation not only teaches children, ages 6 to 16 how to sail, it also teaches them how to build their own one-person Optimist Dinghy. The boats are assembled from pre-cut kits with plenty of adult supervision, but it’s an “all hands on deck” operation for the kids.
Visitors received tours of the facility and observed the 28th boat; already assembled and ready for its finishing touches.
“When he described what he wanted to do three years ago, we just couldn’t imagine that he could pull it off,” continued Marshall. “This building has advanced the project immensely. It’s so good for the children. It improves their self-confidence; they have a real skill. And it’s Charlie who deserves most of the credit.”
The program has since expanded, thanks to generous donations from maritime-loving sponsors, to include larger two-person 420 fiberglass sailboats for older children who have completed their training on the “Optis.”
Representative Debbie Mayfield gave the organization an American Flag that had previously flown over the State Capital in Tallahassee, and Boy Scouts raised it onto a newly donated flagpole.
After the flag raising, a ribbon strung between two shiny Optimist Dinghys, was cut by City Councilman Jay Kramer, Alma Lee Loy, Rep. Debbie Mayfield, Vero Beach Mayor Craig Fletcher and City Councilwoman Pilar Turner.
“The amount of work that’s gone into this is unbelievable,” said Charlie Pope, welcoming all in attendance and thanking the numerous people who have made the dream a reality.
“It took us over one year to get our first five boats in the water. Today you’ll see we have our 28th boat in the jig waiting to be finished up. We have 17 boats that have been donated to be used by anyone. Today, any interested child between 6 and 16 can learn how to sail an opti.”
To date, more than 100 children have been taught to sail in the free program, and another 61 children participated in The Moorings Summer Camp. There is a charge for the six-week camp, but scholarships have been provided for those who cannot afford it.
“The goal is to continue offering free sailing lessons,” said Pope. “Donors make it possible to continue.”
