Summer is in full swing at the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, as we approach the half-way mark of the season.

On the sailing side, young mariners are progressing through every stage of the sport — from mini mariners learning to rig and sail their first Optis, to beginners mastering boat handling and long harbor sails, all the way up to intermediate and Feva sailors honing racing skills like starts, spinnaker sets, and mark roundings. 

The program's tennis side has been just as active, with campers of all levels working on fundamentals like ground strokes, volleys, and serves before putting their skills to the test in friendly matches — including a recent head-to-head win against Christmas Cove.

The season's biggest event so far was the annual Battle of the Bay regatta, which brought together more than 130 sailors from 10 programs from York to Mount Desert Island for a day of racing and camaraderie. The event's success was thanks to a small army of staff, member volunteers, and sponsors — including Maine Maritime Academy, Hodgdon Yachts, and the Keepers of Burnt Island Light — who helped with everything from race management to handing out ice cream. This year, pre-race activities included a 420 Race Clinic led by Bowdoin coach Frank Pizzo and activities out on Burnt Island, where sailors learned from Department of Marine Resources staff about seafloor mapping, lobster science, and scientific diving.

In addition to 420s and Optis, the inclusion of a mixed fleet of Feva and Laser sailors meant that Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club reclaimed the Battle of the Bay's Broken Oar trophy from Southport in this annual tradition. Southport, holding their head high, did claim the mini-black trashcan trophy from the Junior 'Round Southport race on Friday.

One program the Club is especially proud of is its “2 for 2” initiative, which allows year-round residents of the peninsula entering second grade to enroll in up to two weeks of sailing and tennis programming completely free of charge, space permitting. Paired with scholarships from the Junior Program Foundation and its generous donors, the effort reflects the Club's commitment to breaking down barriers so that every local child has the chance to learn these lifelong sports. The program is still open to local residents, based on space available. 

Looking ahead the Club will host a Family Race Night on July 21, complete with informal racing, a barbecue, and ice cream for all.

Whether on the water or the courts, the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club's Junior Program continues to build confidence, skill, and community — one summer at a time.