This is the final week of the sailing program but it is also the first week for a few new sailors. We would like to welcome: Ellis Walsh, Sophie McDonald, Byron Hills, Jack Hurd, and Emmanuel Hazleton.

The morning class had lovely weather for sailing this week, with a breeze and beautiful sunshine almost every day. An extra special Friday Fun Day was planned with Pirate Day as the theme, where everyone wore pirate costumes and traveled to Powderhorn in motor boats. Here, all the sailors searched for a hidden treasure chest full of candy. Even with almost 50 kids searching, it took almost two hours to find the candy. Apparently, SYC sailing instructors double as savvy pirates.

Tuesday afternoon brought the annual Siblings Regatta, where two generations of families competed in the sport. There was plenty of wind, but a thunderstorm rolled in after just a few races. Jen and Shannon Killian took home the bragging rights, with Kelley and Dane Phippen in a close second, and Max and Tia Freund in third.

The afternoon Optis had an exciting race day on Monday with typical Southport conditions: a Southerly and a strong incoming tide. Both the advanced and beginner Optis combined for a total of three races. Blake Donnellan ended in 3rd, with Ryan Peterson in 2nd, and Sawyer Bates in 1st.

The afternoon 420s had a total of three race days last week to finish off the August series. In the final race day, Charlie Apolinsky and Abbie Peterson ended in 3rd, Tia Freund and Elsa Bates finished 2nd, and Dane Phippen and Abby Thress earned 1st.

Junior officers and afternoon class students held the final ice cream social of the summer last Thursday. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it such a success. Because Bingo nights and Ice Cream Socials are fundraisers for the Foundation, the Junior Officers, Dane Phippen, Tia Freund, Sara Morrison and Elsa Bates, appreciate all who supported with attendance and/or donations of gummy bears, whipped cream, or baked goods.

All participants in the Sailing Program and family members are encouraged to attend the the last event of the summer, the Junior Sailing Program Banquet. This memorable event is set for Friday, Aug. 17, 6 p.m., at the Southport Town Hall. Tickets cost $10 which include lasagna, salad and a brownie sundae.

This week, the turnabouts will be pulled out of the water, sails will be rolled and stored, and everyone will put their life jackets away for the winter. We will all return home to our regular routines, but it makes the good-byes easier knowing that SYC will always be there for another Maine summer.