3 minute read
Youth sailing program produces 16 new sailors
By Deanna Bertrand
Cedar Island Yacht Club (CIYC) is becoming known across Ontario for its youth sailing program.
“We have been touted as one of the most successful sailing schools in Southern Ontario,” said Paul Cairoli, youth sailing co-ordinator for CIYC, to parents and sailors at the club Friday afternoon.
“What an outstanding week this was,” he said, prior to instructors handing out certificates and awards.
The 16 new young sailors, ages 8 to 14, from across Essex County and as far away as Toronto, completed one of the four programs being offered this summer in the CANsail program which recognizes sailing achievements in levels 1-4, starting with the learn-tosail up to the racing level.
A total of 72 students will get the chance to learn sailing skills this summer using one of a dozen RS Quba sailboats owned by the club. They can hold two to three youth with a main sail and jib.
Cairoli said students learn everything from point of sail to rules of the road, rigging and de-rigging the boat and folding up sails.
“The CANsail programming means lots of time on the water in a safe, fun and active learning environment,” he said
The club had received Trillium funding the previous year to help boost the sailing program, which is now in its fifth season and is actually waitlisted.
Cairoli says they are proud to have one of their own local sailors, Bryanna Pearce, who started in the program five years ago, now training to be their first “home-grown” sailing instructor.
Pearce, 15, from Harrow, is also the recipient of the club’s Bryan Stewart award.
Cairoli says they plan to continue to grow the youth sailing program locally and to promote the sport of sailing to “keep it going” as a fun-for-thewhole-family activity.
If you’d like more information, please visit the yacht club’s website at cedarislandyachtclub.ca.
