Please select your home edition
Edition
B&G Zeus SR AUS

Sail Maine - spreading the good news about sailing

by Lee Mylchreest on 21 Jul 2013
Summer sailing in Maine - setting a great example SW
The US state of Maine, with its rocky coastline and picturesque waterways, is a sailing gem when it's warm enough. So one of the best things about summer in Maine is the chance to get out on the water, and there's a non-profit group in Portland is helping people do just that.

For the last ten years, Sail Maine has been offering sailing classes to kids and adults, letting them experience sailing at a bargain price. And for some of those kids, it's about more than fun. Sailing may be changing their lives.

They may just be high school kids. But they've learned some lifetime lessons here. On the water. In the wind. And sometimes, on their own. But then, Myles Everett's parents brought him to Sail Maine.

They teach kids and adults to lose their fear of the water, and learn the thrill of sailing.

'I was always a Legos kid growing up,' said Everett. 'I liked to build things and see how things work. And I think that plays into it.'

Sail Maine now have nearly five hundred grade school and high school kids in the program...and teach about 200 adults to sail each year.

Jeff Cumming, the Executive Director of Sail Maine says the program teaches sailing and self confidence. Cumming says he's seen it many times with brand new students.

And they also admit, there's something about challenging the ocean... being out there in a very small boat..learning what people have learned for thousands of years. Forcing you to face nature, and yourself.

Sail Maine says they also provide scholarships to the program, so sailing isn't just for rich kids. The program has a budget of nearly $500,000.

They say about sixty percent of that comes from fees, but the other forty percent comes from contributions and fund-raising.

What an example they are setting to other organisations in sailing nations across the world.

What opportunities are there, where you live, for kids and adults who would like to get on the water but just don't know how to go about it?
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERZhik 2024 DecemberRooster 2025

Related Articles

5.5 Metre titles head to Poland for the first time
Scandinavian Gold Cup and World Championship to be held back to back Over the next 12 days the International 5.5 Metre Class heads to Sopot in Poland for the Scandinavian Gold Cup and World Championship. It is the first time the class has held any of its major events in Poland.
Posted today at 3:37 pm
Mirror dinghy Tuning Guide with Ben McGrane
A detailed guide to maximising speed with Hyde Mirror Sails Continuing the new series of tuning videos from Hyde Sails, One Design Sales Manager Ben McGrane gives a detailed guide to maximising speed with Hyde Mirror Sails.
Posted today at 1:30 pm
Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang for larger yachts
Specifically sized for yachts measuring between 50 and 55 feet A rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing, preventing the boom from falling into the cockpit or onto the coach roof. Equipped with gas springs, it automatically elevates the boom upon release of the kicking strap.
Posted today at 11:00 am
SailGP Racing on the Edge Season 5 Episode 5
Los Gallos revisit their SailGP Season 4 triumph Get a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the SailGP Season 4 Champions as they return to winning territory – facing personal and professional challenges head on.
Posted today at 9:01 am
Final opportunity to enter AWKR
This is a final call to female sailors This is a final call to female sailors who would like to race Australia's premier all-female regatta, the 2025 Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta (AWKR), where you will join the 25 already entered in Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron's (RMYS) annual event.
Posted today at 5:35 am
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans starts Tuesday
The fleet is ready for racing in Thessaloniki, Greece A new chapter begins for the fast doublehanded classes. The Champions from Paris 2024 have mostly either retired or are taking breaks for various reasons, leaving the start of the new quadrennial to a new group of sailors.
Posted on 2 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup practice day
Breezy, beautiful Baiona finds favour again with TP52 teams Takashi Okura's Sled team today laid down a marker on the beautiful waters off Baiona, NW Spain as the top performers over the two official practice races sailed today on the eve of the Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup.
Posted on 2 Jun
RORC centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
All set for another record-breaker Less than two months now remain until the start of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, this year coinciding with the Royal Ocean Racing Club's centenary.
Posted on 2 Jun
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, overall
Corinthian Yacht Club puts on top notch performance to win Sustained winds in the low 20-knot range and choppy seas brought on another challenging day in the final stretch of the 2025 Team Racing World Championship.
Posted on 2 Jun
Young Aussie squad ready to shine at Europeans
Australia's fast boat sailors are set for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans in Greece Australia's fast boat sailors are set to take on the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships this week in Thessaloniki, Greece. With up to 18 races scheduled over the next six days, it's set to be a high-intensity regatta.
Posted on 2 Jun