Dave Kirkpatrick grew up sailing on Long Island at Centerport Yacht Club but got really serious while on the sailing team at Tufts. Since graduating, he has done some team racing and sailed 505s and Melges 24s. Working for Vanguard mandates that he be involved with many classes rather than concentrating on one. In the next year he will be sailing Vanguard 15s, and is looking forward to the 2000 Sunfish World Championship. Moderator Patty Lawrence Attendance Forty-four people from 10 states and over 13 One Design Classes Topics Youth Involvement Dave Kirkpatrick opened the discussion with ideas about community sailing centers where kids get exposure to sailboats.
Access is vital.
Afternoon classes allow students to take lessons or sail after school. Dave stressed that sailing must be a continual learning experience from Optis to high school to college and beyond. Creating a path which moves kids through a series of boats and classes is important so that they end up graduating through the ranks. This gives them goals and makes sailing a continuing experience. It is important to foster the social aspects of sailing for the kids as they are likely to do what their friends are doing.