Area sailors busy hitting the water

I love summer. With 300 kids in our summer programs, it’s been incredibly busy at Charleston Community Sailing. It’s so great to see other area clubs hit record high numbers in their programs with kids out on the water everyday.

If you are still looking for a way to get your kids out on the water, check out www.sailcharleston.org. Don’t forget, while the days are still long, you can get some water time, so after work head to the College of Charleston on Tuesday nights for some adult fleet racing, Wednesday’s for CORA summer races, and then Thursday racing at JIYC.

Moosedown triumphs
Local Charleston boat Moosedown returned from Regatta Time in the Abacos with a victory in the RTIA Fleet, which is the fastest and most competitive class. Avid sailor Ryan Hamm was aboard and said, “I continue to sail this event because it takes place in the most beautiful place in the world, not necessarily offshore, but very tropical.”

Open Regatta time
This weekend, Charleston Yacht Club hosts the 79th annual Open Regatta in which racing takes place Saturday and Sunday over three courses in the harbor. The event continues to draw many junior sailors as well as the growing Lightning fleet for a great weekend of racing. Registration opens Friday at 5 p.m. and is open until 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Valente in Singlehanded
Recent Wando High graduate Nick Valente is training for the U.S. Sailing Singlehanded Championships, taking place July 26-29 at Sail Sheboygan.

There are 17 sailors signed up in the Laser fleet.

Jessica Koenig is executive director of Charleston Community Sailing. Contact her at jessica@charleston communitysailing.org