The first week of the 2025 Southport Junior Yacht Club program was incredibly successful and so much fun for everyone! Monday, June 23 was the first day back and, while there was not much wind, it was a beautiful sunny day to begin sailing. 

In the morning class, five new sailors did their swim test in Cozy Harbor to kick off their SJYC experience. Austin Carte, Joshua Atkinson, Zoe Atkinson, Liz Giampetruzzi, and Jeremiah Carroll all braved the cold water, passed, and celebrated by warming up with hot cocoa in the senior building. During the week, the morning class enjoyed the Maine weather by travelling to Five Islands, Indiantown, and Spectacle Island!

In the afternoon class, the summer’s Junior officers were nominated and elected. The sailors elected to help organize and run events like the ice cream social and bingo were Rachel Phippen as commodore, Gabriella Moen as vice commodore, Morgan Donahue as treasurer, and Logan Snyder as secretary. Congratulations and good luck to these officers!

Afternoon Optis and recreational Turnabouts enjoyed the week by sailing to Five Islands and playing tennis ball tag to work on their boat handling skills. 

Both Opti sailors and 420 sailors participated in race days on Friday, which helped them to refresh their skills after a year away. Optis were able to get six races in, resulting in Paige Smith coming in 1st with 9 points, Genevieve Bunge in 2nd with 13 points, and Chapman Brinegar in 3rd with 18 points.

The 420 sailors, who attempted to have a race day on Thursday, got one race in before the wind became too light to continue racing. They proceeded to have five more races on Friday, resulting in Rachel Phippen and Logan Snyder coming in 1st with 8 points, Nate Phippen and Graydon Smith tied with 8 points in 2nd, and Mabel Kaler and Taylor Smith in 3rd with 14 points. 

Next week, our SJYC sailors will be able to enjoy the first ice cream social of the summer on Thursday at 7 PM. There will also be the annual Independence Day Challenge for both morning and afternoon class kids on Friday! 

We are so excited to see what this summer brings and hope to see you at the SJYC events in the future!