Sailing season for the summer of 2012 has begun at Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation!

A light rain was falling in the early morning, but by 9 a.m. the sun was peeking through the clouds. It was time for the first swim tests of the season.

With a cheer from the crowd of spectators, seven children jumped one-by-one into Cozy Harbor. Each child was greeted by their new “buddy,” a towel, and a cup of hot chocolate. We welcome Carolyn Parker, Eva Morris, Buck Lewis, Ryan Lewis, Owen Barter, Tyler Wright and Robbie Bennett. Paulina Shea and Marina Seone also took their swim test in preparation for the next week.

Despite a couple of days of damp weather, the morning class sailed every day. It was wonderful to have the Program in full swing and to see the multi-colored Turnabouts back on the water. The week ended with a vigorous walk around Indiantown and a fun boat ride up and down the Sheepscot River.

It was wonderful to see the “big” kids returning in the afternoon class. The Sheepscot River looked busy with Turnabout, Optimist, and 420 sailors shaking off the winter cobwebs and getting into the sailing groove. Turnabouts did not race but the Optimists and 420s had their first week of racing.

The 420s had four competitive races.

In the first race it was Bill Jacobs and Tessa Houston, first; Jasper Houston and Annie Britton, second; and Nuala Spillane and Joe Hawley, third.

In the second race it was David Wollins and Grant Auber first; David Turley and Jennifer Killian second; and Jasper Houston and Annie Britton third.

In the third race it was Jasper Houston and Annie Britton first; David Turley and Jennifer Killian second; and Noah Sneath and Sally Apolinsky third.

In the fourth race it was Jasper Houston and Annie Britton first; Amy MacDonald and Madeleine Anderson second; and David Wollins and Grant Auber third.

At the end of the race day for the Optis, Payton Thompson was in first place with a total of 11 points; Victoria Thompson and Andrew Turley were tied for second place with a total of 14 points; and Dane Phippen was in third place with a total of 21 points.

The second week of sailing began with a warm summer day and eight new sailors for the morning class. Many students took the swim in groups of two and three and all were greeted with a cup of hot chocolate. We welcome Katherine Barney, Colin Barney, Gavin Carlson, Henry Currier, Conner McWhan, Camden Miller, Madeline Morrison, Paulina Shea, Marina Seone and Graham Harris
July 4 fell on Wednesday this year, so we had a mid-week Independence Day Challenge.

After a rousing version of the Star Spangled Banner, led by instructor Timothy Reid, the Independence Day Challenge commenced! The friendly competition between morning class students and instructors had the following events: rig/de-rig, row relay, egg toss, knot relay, bubble blowing, Saltine/whistle and whipped cream eating. It was a fun morning with the Green Team ending with the victory.

Our first Ice Cream Social was held on Thursday evening. The Junior Officers, Jasper Houston (commodore), David Turley (vice commodore), Jennifer Killian (treasurer), Annie Britton and Haley MacCormac (secretaries) and JoAnna Shaw, Bill Jacobs, Madison Gaudette, Grant Auber, and Joe Hawley (afternoon helpers) worked efficiently to make sure ice cream, sauces, toppings and cherries were served to the eager crowd. Thank you officers for making this a successful event!

It is wonderful to see new and familiar faces as the program finishes its second week.

Welcome back friends of the Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation!