Submitted by the San Juan Island Sailing Foundation

Most after-school athletic programs and clubs have been canceled, due to the challenges of social distancing. But distancing happens naturally when sailing, and just-for-fun sailing is a great lifetime endeavor that can open all sorts of doors — careers, friendships, travel opportunities.

The Sailing Club at Jackson Beach is open for student-athletes whose sports have been canceled due to COVID-19; kids who love wind, water, and sun, or have a need for speed; students who want to launch a boat and head off towards Dinner Island.

Sailing Club will meet twice a week, after school, on days to be determined. Local middle- and high-school students are invited to join the club, hosted by the San Juan Island Sailing Foundation. Some dinghy sailing experience is necessary, such as having taken the intermediate or advanced sailing classes through Island Rec.

The Sailing Foundation will provide the boats, life jackets for anyone who didn’t bring their own, assistance rigging and launching, and a coach and safety boat while out on the water. Fall season tuition is $100, with full and partial scholarships available.

If there’s enough interest for a racing team, interested sailors from SJI can compete with the sailors at Sail Orcas this fall, and up and down the west coast once it’s safe. Team racing is a great activity for college applications.

For more information, contact Susan West by phone at 360-370-7976 or email FridayHarborSailingTeam@gmail.com; or Nige Oswald by phone at 415-370-5755 or email ioi.nige@gmail.com.