Marina Boosts Junior Sail at Auction
Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard, an on-going sponsor of GHYC Junior Sail, filled the program’s sails even more at auction time last month.
The marina donated a boat haulout to the Gig Harbor Yacht Club Junior Sail Program’s annual fundraising auction at the end of September. The haulout, which includes two lay days, is a $735 value that went to the highest bidder for $550.
“We continue to be a big sponsor in support of the Junior Sail program,” said marina General Manager Ron Roark. Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard makes a donation each year to help keep the popular youth sailing program afloat. Roark also donates membership fees collected for The Club @ the Boatyard throughout the year.
The Junior Sail program has offered learn-to-sail camp in Gig Harbor for the last seven summers. The program also includes a fairly new high school race team that is already competing successfully in area regattas all year long. A third prong of Junior Sail has included adult sailing lessons to yacht club members.
This past summer the Junior Sail program served about 115 area youth, ages 9 to 18, in five-day Sail Camp sessions in the harbor. The program is also proud of being able to award about a dozen scholarships each summer to make Sail Camp accessible to all kids.
“This is an excellent local cause.” – Mark Lindeman, boatyard manager
Learn-to-sail camp is taught by experienced high school- and college-age sailors who are US Sailing certified. Their curriculum covers basic boating safety, seamanship, knot-tying and right-of-way rules.
Managers at Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard are looking forward to continuing their support of Junior Sail.
“This is an excellent local cause,” said Boatyard Manager Mark Lindeman as he made the haulout donation.
Learn more about the Gig Harbor Yacht Club Junior Sail program at ghycjuniorsail.org; or contact program director Joan Storkman at (253-906-6015) or laffawacres@outlook.com.