“Three, two, one, jump!” yelled the students and instructors of the Southport Junior Sailing Program as the newcomers left the dock and hit the icy water. The season of sailing has started off wonderfully these past two weeks with 20 new sailors, each completing a swim test to start the summer. When they were pulled out of the water they were greeted with a dry towel, a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and a smiling buddy to help them out.We would like to welcome Oliver Grant, Emily Barr, Thomas Barr, Nathaniel Clark, Maeve Cullina, Nora McDonough, Grady Burns, Emerson Harris, Micaela Brown, Fisher Brown, Cameron Reed, Margaret Rines, Paul Ferris, Micah Longbottom, Caleb Longbottom, Ben Breslav, Caroline Breslav, Matthew Richards, Lily Sprain and Margaret Himes. They have all gotten out on the water and had some beautiful days of sailing.

On July 1, the Friday before Independence Day, the morning class partook in the Independence Day Challenge. Six teams of students and instructors competed in various events such as knot tying, bubblegum blowing, sailing and rowing races, and the famous watermelon swim. The black team won, but all of the teams put forth their best efforts and had fun.

In the afternoon class, the turnabout class reviewed the basic of sailing and got to know one another. The opti class shook off the cobwebs and practiced their roll tacking, gybing and rigging skills. Both groups look like they are off to a great start.

The 420 class also had a successful first two weeks. They had their first race day of the season on Friday, July 1. Dane Phippen and his crew Sarah Morrison earned first place for the day. Everybody sailed fast and handled the boats well.

On Tuesday, July 5, the class had a race off for the Junior Olympics Sailing Festival that will be held in Northeast Harbor.

We would also like to welcome the newest edition to the program, a red J24 named Wabi Sabi. It will be a good way for afternoon class sailors to get experience on larger boats in addition to dinghies. Thank you to the Houston family, Holly, Bob, Jasper and Tessa, for generously getting the boat from Handy’s Boatyard in Portland.

The program has had a wonderful first two weeks and we look forward to a fantastic summer of sailing.

The first ice cream social will be held on Thursday, July 21 at 7 p.m. All family and friends are welcome. Follow the sailing program instagram account (@sjycsf) for more updates.