CYC Community Sailing Center

★★★★★Chelsea Samano

The CYC Community Sailing Center has been such an incredible part of my son’s life. He first started there through their summer camps—which were not only well-organized, but genuinely fun and welcoming. What started as “just a camp” quickly turned into something much bigger… he kept going back every chance he got. Over time, that grew into being invited to join the race team—and from there, it’s truly become a lifelong love of sailing. He’s now been sailing for 6+ years, progressing from Opti to Laser, building skills, confidence, and independence along the way. But what stands out even more than the sailing are the people. The friendships he’s built, the amazing group of kids, and the supportive, encouraging environment—it’s really become a second home. During the season and summer, he’s there more than he’s at home… and that says everything. Full circle moment—he now volunteers as a junior camp counselor, giving back to the same program that gave him so much. If you’re looking for a program that builds skills and confidence, creates strong community, and gives kids something they truly love—this is it. We couldn’t recommend it more highly. ⛵✨

★★★★★ken4ord

During the pandemic sailing was one of the few activities that was available for kids in the summer. We signed up our daughters for sailing, even though they, at first hated idea. Several years later they developed a passion for sailing and developed life long skills. Little did they know the impact would have on their lives. Both daughter complete 750 mile race to Alaska, one is preparing for her second go at the race to Alaska, and the other is studying marine biology and maritime industry. I can highly recommend the summer sailing program for teaching my kids sailing, independence, and teamwork.

★★★★★Eleanor Bradley

My twin daughters have been sailing at CYC Community Sailing Center for over six years, and it's been one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives. They started as new sailors in the summer camps, progressed through the fall and spring Optimist program, and are now in high school sailing the doublehanded racing program, competing in regattas, and giving back as instructors, and planning to sail in college. The friendships they've built here are real and lasting. As a parent, I've gotten involved too. The parent community is warm, engaged, and genuinely wonderful. What makes CYC special isn't just the sailing. It's the life skills: competition, teamwork, leadership, and a real sense of community. And as a nonprofit committed to expanding access to the sport, it stands for something beyond the water. If you're looking for a place that will challenge your kids, build their confidence, and give them a community they'll love, this is it. Truly a special place.

★★★★★Misti McDowell

Both of my daughters learned to sail through CYC Community Sailing, and it has had a profound impact on their lives. They began in sailing camp, building skills and a love for the water, and then progressed onto the sailing team where they developed discipline, resilience, and teamwork. Through sailing they have not only learned technical skills on the water, but also gained confidence, strength, and independence. They have learned to problem-solve, persevere through challenges (and cold water) and support one another. Most importantly, they have formed deep, lifelong friendships and become part of a strong, supportive sailing community that will stay with them wherever they go.

★★★★★Michael Dougherty

CYC Community Sailing Center (CSC) was truly transformational for my two kids. They started sailing on the race team here during the pandemic, when they were in 8th and 10th grades. This quickly became their most important community, helping them grow and develop in wonderful ways. Sailing teaches resilience, responsibility, teamwork, and so much else - and also provides hours of outdoor time every day with no phones in sight. Sailing is also one of the only co-ed sports. For whatever reason, sailing also seems to work really well for those with ADHD & dyslexia, and those on the spectrum, and the community is very welcoming and understanding. Most of the race team sailors become summer camp instructors, where they learn much more about responsibility, teamwork, and leadership as they instruct camps with kids ages 6-16. I've watched them learn so much as they interact with campers, their parents, and each other. Our daughter has instructed there for four years, and every summer day that she comes home exhausted from looking after 6-8 year olds but proud of the work she's doing, I'm grateful that she has a chance to develop in this way. Many sailors that graduate from here sail in college, and many go on to pursue marine-related academic studies in fields such as marine biology, oceanography, environmental science, and mechanical engineering. Several attend maritime colleges such as Maine Maritime and Cal Maritime. Many come back and help coach whenever they can. In addition to having my two kids go through the program, I'm an engaged volunteer and continue to help out even though my kids have graduated out. There's a fantastic, welcoming group of parents and others who contribute lots of time and skills to help keep CSC running. Thanks to this place and the supportive people there, in 2022 my kids both sailed on the first ever youth team to compete in the Race to Alaska, a 750-mile, engineless boat race from Port Townsend to Ketchikan. This was a foundational experience for both of them, the positive impacts of which are still evident 4 years later. I know sailing can seem inaccessible to outsiders: impenetrably complex and super expensive. The first part is true: sailing, especially sailboat racing, is for some reason bewilderingly complicated. The second part is not true: the programs here are priced to be as affordable as possible and the overall vibe here is much more parks & rec than yacht club. Other parents have shared that this is one of the cheaper sports their kids have gotten into. CSC also offers scholarships. I can't recommend CYC Community Sailing Center enough. It had a huge positive impact on my own kids and on many others I've watched come through its programs.