Junior Olympic Sailing Festival
 

Posted Saturday, July 1, 2006

Junior Olympic Sailing Festival hosted by Union Sailing Club in Longmont, Colorado at Union Reservoir Park June 24 & 25 met its three goals for 2006:

 

1. Introduce sailing to any youth 8 to 21

Over 25% of the participants had little or no sailing experience. US SAILING Certified Instructors, a sailing friendly venue, supportive club and volunteers from across the region made it possible to take an eight year newbie that has never been in any sailboat and turn him in to a sailor in two short days. Sailing is a unique sport and activity that can embolden a youngster with the confidence to set out safely in control of their small sailboat. And that is only the beginning.

 

1. Improve the skill set of accomplished competitors

Advanced junior racers in the C420, Laser and Butterfly were honing their skills with national competitions in California, Wisconsin, Michigan and Colorado clearly in their minds later this summer sailing season. Coaches with national and international competitive experience provided the critical objective review needed for all athletes to bring their game to the next level while having serious fun at the same time.

 

1. Strengthen bonds in the sailing community

These competitors are like many others across the country embracing travel as a perk not a curse of their chosen sport. The road trip is part of the fun…..Going to new places and making new friends is critical. Leaving the safe port of home knowing there is a welcoming community at the destination is how the bonds of the sailing community are strengthened. Parents, coaches, kids & volunteers get to meet each other with kids as the center stage act. This growing sailing community that stretches from Grand Lake to Colorado Springs to Denver to Fort Collins is stronger because of the 2006 Junior Olympic Sailing Festival…..

 

Kids are sailing more

 

For more information visit www.unionsailingclub.org