Last Friday evening sailors, instructors, parents and grandparents crammed into the Southport Town Hall to celebrate the accomplishments of the summer. Because of the way the calendar fell this year, many of the sailors were still here, leading to record attendance.

After the initial words of appreciation to all the parents who provided transportation, meal serving and general support to the activities for the summer, the instructors were introduced. Director Will Jacobs began with his own version of “wait, wait, don’t tell me” by having the kids guess from three options what the individual instructors do in their time away from Southport Yacht Club. This is a very accomplished group of instructors and we are indeed fortunate.

The commodore of the Junior Yacht Club, Jasper Houston, gave an overview of the activities for the summer and the treasurer reported on the profits from the ice cream socials and bingo nights. The coaches of the three racing groups reported about the successes when sailing in interclub races in 420s, Optis and Turnabouts. With many of the sailors who placed in their first year we can only expect that there will be more great results next year. 

After the very popular dinner of lasagna, the individual instructors gave out rewards for race results and honors.

July series – Turnabouts: first Isiah Reid, second Maddie Gaudette; Optis: first Victoria Thompson, second Andrew Turley.

August series – Turnabouts: first Jason Goldsmith, second Isiah Reid; Optis: first Andrew Turley, second Emma Jacobs.

The turnabout season cup went to Isiah and the Opti season to Andrew Turley.

July in 420s: First through third awards for skipper and crew were: Jasper Houston and Annie Britton, David Turley and Jennifer Killian, Nuala Spillane and Grant Auber. August in 420s: First through third awards for skipper and crew were Jasper Houston and Annie Britton, David Turley and Jen Killian and Nuala Spillane and Meghan Roach. Season Skipper was Jasper Houston and crew Annie Britton. 

The seamanship award in the morning class went to Rachel Grimes, afternoon class Elsa Heil, Opti Dane Phippen, and 420s Nuala Spillane. Sportsmanship award to morning class Lily Quinn, afternoon class Allie DeJarnett, Opti Emma Jacobs and 420s Noah Sneath. Most improved morning class Sam Kliment, afternoon class Erica Eames, Optis Max Freund and 420s Sherman Brewer. The special awards were: Commodore’s cup Jasper Houston, Glidden Cup David Turley, Helming Cup Annie Britton, Coppola Memorial Cup Tim Reid and the Norman Smith trophy to Nicholas Emerling. 

Saturday, Aug. 25, will be the board of directors meeting at 8 a.m. followed by the annual meeting at 9 a.m. Later in the day it will be Senior Yacht Club’s opportunity to shine at the commodore’s closing reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. Racing results for the season will be awarded along with the coveted Golden Shackle honor. We hope to see many of you there.