Youth Sailing in Sarasota

In the late 1970s, some young Sarasota mothers wanted to get back to sailing, with kids in tow. They launched sailing classes at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, and soon prams with tykes at the tiller became a familiar sight on the bay. Today the nonprofit Sarasota Youth Sailing (SYS) serves 450 students, ages 5 to 18, in summer and spring camps and on racing teams.

Sarasota Youth Sailing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that provides sailing instruction and coaching for all youth sailors, a year round program with options for everyone.

Some racers compete internationally, but director Mary Trichter says the program’s main aim is building a love of sailing as “a lifelong sport.” Equally important, kids develop confidence, independence and responsibility.

From Day 1, they’re alone in their boats, with counselors close by. Some parents protest—“He’s all by himself!”—but soon even the youngest are hoisting the rigging, capsizing and righting the boat, and tacking their way back to shore.

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron has been a partner from the beginning, providing boat storage, operational facilities and financial support. SYS’s fleet of 52 boats includes Optimists, O’Pen Bics, Lasers, 420s and Multihulls.

12.5 million Americans sailed in the 1980s; 2.5 million sail now. SYS promotes the sport by recruiting diverse students, creating sailing programs with nonprofits, and offering options for today’s over-scheduled kids.

Two hundred young sailors from across the Southeast compete in the 33rd Annual Sailfest Junior Olympic Regatta, a fundraiser that takes place on March 28-29, 2020.

A new after-school program, Adventures Afloat, will offer kayaking, fishing and other water adventures along with sailing. Sarasota Youth Sailing kids sail on the USODA National and World Championship teams and have won or placed in races in New Orleans, San Francisco and more.