Under sunny skies and a warm breeze, volunteers and staff assembled six brand new 420’s in preparation for the start of a new era in youth sailing on Long Island on Monday, Sept. 14. Public accesss to boats, water and coaching has finally come together at the WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay. The marine education center is located on West End Avenue on the Western Waterfront.
Students from all across Long Island have been signing up in preparation for the season, including the six who appeared the first day of the season ready to try out the new boats. Students from Manhasset, Schreiber in Port Washington, Harborfields in Huntington, Oyster Bay, Locust Valley and some home-schooled students have signed up for the season.
Dave Waldo, the new executive director of the WaterFront Center, comes with a reputation for sailboat racing. “I started sailboat racing at age 6 in Optimists, another type of boat the WFC has. The WFC has Sonars, Pixels, Sunfish and now we have added six 420s to the fleet.”
Mr. Waldo said Monday was a very important day for the WFC. “It was a very exciting event, and a milestone for the WFC and also for high school students across Long Island.”
The WFC provides a venue for all sailors in 7th through 12th grade to practice double and single-handed racing in 420’s and Lasers and compete in ISSA (Interscholastic Sailing Association) regattas. It welcomes students with sanctioned high school teams and those without. Sailors of all abilities are welcome to fleet, team and match race. The WFC provides coaches, Club 420s, Pixels, Sonars, safety boats and facilities, for after-school and weekends, from September to early November, and April through June. For more information, visit www.thewaterfrontcenter.org or email dwaldo@thewaterfrontcenter.org or call 922-SAIL.
