This past week marked the second of the Southport Junior Yacht Club’s sailing program. The days were full of excitement. While the weather was not always pristine for sailing, SJYC always showed young sailors the best parts of our amazing yacht club.

On Monday, we were joined by three new faces in the morning class: Isaiah Berger, Jack Duncan, and Will Duncan. The three boys completed their swim test with support from other sailors and instructors on the dock.

Throughout the remainder of the week, the morning class was full of summer fun. On Thursday, we celebrated July Fourth with our annual Independence Day Challenge. The kids were separated into five groups and competed in an array of challenges: the rig row sail, egg toss, knot-tying relay, saltine whistle, bubble-gum blowing, and a watermelon swim when two members from each team swam around the dock pushing a watermelon. You can’t spell summer without salty watermelon! On Friday the fun continued, even in deep fog. The presence of fog and lack of wind gave us another day on land! Sailors spent the morning learning more about crucial parts of sailing and about the club in exciting and entertaining ways.

The afternoon class also had an exciting week. On Wednesday and Friday, the 420s had their very first race days! For the 420s on Wednesday, Skipper Skye Harrington and Crew Logan Snyder tied with Skipper Nate Phippen and Crew Graydon Smith for first place. Following close behind was Skipper Eleanor Marshall and Crew Sofia Moen in third. On Friday, Harrington and Snyder won the day, Phippen and Smith came in 2nd, and Skipper Ilyanna Harrington and Crew Gabriella Moen came in 3rd.

Our Optis also had their first race day this past Wednesday, Mabel Kaler took first, Suri Kelchner in second, and Taylor Smith in third.

On Thursday, the afternoon class also took part in the Independence Day Challenge with the same number of teams and events. Friendly competition is very popular among our sailors and the Fourth of July games are looked forward to by many! Smiles and Cheers were bursting from SJYC and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Next week is a busy one! On Tuesday and Wednesday, some of our sailors will attend the Battle of the Bays regatta in Boothbay Harbor, while the rest of cheer them on from home! On Wednesday we will also have our weekly kickball at the Southport School starting at 6 p.m. On Thursday, our 420 sailors will meet up with the Boothbay Yacht Club to compete in the ‘Round Southport Race. On the same day, SJYC will host a baked goods bingo! Bring your family’s special sweet treat with an ingredients list by Thursday morning and join in on the fun!