Members of Community Sailing of Colorado are hoping for fair winds today.
Their two-part weekend event gets underway this morning with open sailing for kids at Cherry Creek State Park marina. That will be followed tonight by a fundraising gala at Phipps Tennis Pavilion.
Weather permitting, families with children 8 and older can head to the marina today for a range of sailing activities. Older kids can take to the water with instructors for sailing drills and learn about sailboat rigging. Smaller kids can craft toy sailboats on shore for a rain-gutter race, which will also be available to older kids in case of inclement weather.
Sailing aficionados of all ages will appreciate meeting Greg Fisher, a world-champion sailor and racer who will be on hand to answer questions and lead activities on land and water.
“Meeting Greg Fisher is a great opportunity for kids to learn more about the international sport of sailing,” says Rachel Daugherty, executive director of Community Sailing of Colorado. “We also teach kids about sailing here in Colorado.”
Landlocked Colorado may not be an obvious spot to pick up sailing as a hobby, but Daugherty says there are plenty of opportunities in the form of camps and special events around the state.
“If there’s water,” Daugherty says, “sailors find a way.”
One way for kids to learn sailing is through Community Sailing’s one-week or half-day summer camps.
“We really want to make sailing accessible to the average family,” says Daugherty, who adds that scholarships are available to cover the camps’ $395 fee. “You definitely don’t have to own a boat to learn.”
Learning to sail also encourages teamwork and responsibility. “It’s a great confidence-builder,” Daugherty says.
Read more about sailing camps and events in Colorado at . Tickets for this organization’s Brazilian- themed fundraising gala tonight start at $100; visit , or call 303-351-2721 for information.
