News & Views for Southern Sailors - Southwinds Magazine

Englewood Sailing Association Celebrates 10 YearsBy Lynn PaulOn March 31, the EnglewoodSailing Association in Englewood,FL, celebrated 10years of youth and adult sailingcamps. Warren Spear, founder andfirst president of the ESA, had avision to give all interested youngstersthe opportunity to learn tosail. He engaged the local communityby asking for donations andsold advertising on the sails. TheWalker Bay company donated theboats. The YMCA registers andinsures the ESA.Current ESA President HughMoore followed Warren Spear ashead of the association. In 2006,Moore expanded the number ofsailing camps and had all theinstructors certified as US SAIL-ING Level 1 instructors. One featurethat is special about the programsis that moms and dads andtheir children may be taking thecourse at the same time, said JoyPurcell, a 2011 graduate.Approximately 700 sailorshave learned to sail at the ESA. TheDay Sail Divas sail Sunfish and arealso on staff. Introduction-tosailingcamps are held three times ayear on consecutive Saturdays forfour weeks. The youngsters, ages 9to 15, then move on to year-aroundsailing and racing. Four teens completedthe ESA junior instructorprogram. Instructor Michael Caninohelps put the new kids at ease whileteaching them skills in sailing. Hehas been in the program for five years and travels fromMyakka City.Young sailors learn the basic vocabulary of sailing, navigation,wind awareness, and how to rig a Walker Bay, or theSail through the winds of time inFrom left to right (adults) are Hugh Moore, Sarasota County Commissioners Christine Robinsonand Shannon Staub, Chamber of Commerce (for Englewood and Cape Haze) President M. Smithand ESA founder Warren Spear. Photo by Lynn Paul.Young sailors prepare boats for sailing at theEnglewood Sailing Association. Approximately 700sailors have learned to sail at the ESA, which recentlycelebrated its 10th anniversary. Photo by Lynn Paul.MYWAYWARDWINDSRiveting, inspirational memoir fromastronomer, teacher, traveler, sailor— James A. HooksHard Cover/Quality Paperback/eBookON SALE NOW ATwww.hooksjames.comnew Picos. The ESA intertwinesgames and activities to promoteself-confidence and the importanceof teamwork while making newfriends. This year, the CharlotteHarbor Environmental Centertakes the sailors exploring the localsea beds for the tiny life found intheir nets. Called the Sea GrassAdventure Wading trips, theyteach how to be good stewards ofthe land and water.Since 2002, a member’s propertywas home to trailers and boats, andmembers would go get the boatsand trailer them over to IndianMound Park on Lemon Bay inEnglewood when activities wereon. But in 2011, the SarasotaCounty Board of Commissioners granted a permanenthome for the ESA at the park, giving them permission tofence in a section for their use. ESA built the racks, hired thefencing company and had a waterline extended at no cost tothe county.John Newman, an instructor, says that safety is a primeconcern, since there is no fun when someone gets hurt.While not only emphasizing how not to get hit on the headwith the boom, Newman explains why wearing your PFD,applying sunscreen, and wearing closed-toed shoes isimportant.Lemon Bay in Englewood is a part of the ICW anddivides the barrier islands from the mainland. On a weekend,powerboats can make the ICW look like I-75. The safetyboat crew keeps everyone away from the ICW and keepsan eye on the sailors, while also coaching the basics of boatingand sailing, and warning of an obstruction—whichcould be a manatee.For more on the ESA, go to www.englewoodsailing.org.36 May 2012 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com