SAVE THE DATE: New York/new Jersey SAIL EXPO ®

 
Sail America Launches New Boat Show in the New York Metropolitan Area
All-Sail Show to Take Place at New Jersey`s Liberty Landing Marina in September 2003

August 19, 2003 -- The New York/New Jersey SAIL EXPO, the first sailboat show held in the waters surrounding Manhattan, will showcase a vast display of sailing craft, gear and special events--and this festival of sailing will draw veteran racers, cruisers, and all those who are passionate about spending their free time sailing along the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut shorelines. But this four-day show is also designed to draw an additional audience: those who have never stepped foot on a sailboat before.
The NY/NJ SAIL EXPO will be held Thursday, September 25 to Sunday, September 28 at New Jersey`s Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City. The show is the latest addition to a family of six sailing shows held throughout the United States.
"When we decided to bring this show to the region, we knew our job was twofold: to feed the enthusiasms of sailors in the area, and to inspire new people to step onboard and try sailing," said Scot West, Executive Director of show producer Sail America. "We`ve included opportunities for all ages--ways for them to learn, try sailing, and see if it`s an activity they`d like to take further. A day at the show is an rare opportunity to test-drive what may become a new passion."
New sailors can get an introduction to sailing with experienced skippers at the Discover Sailing dock, on boats that range from quick 14-foot dinghies designed for two to coastal cruisers that can carry a small crew. Participants can pitch in for a hands-on experience or sit back and enjoy a half-hour under sail. Discover Sailing, an introduction-to-sailing program that travels throughout the United States, has helped thousands of outdoor enthusiasts take their first step into the sport.
A special five-hour introductory course called Learn to Sail in a Day will be held on Saturday, September 27. Participants will learn about the fundamentals with US SAILING-certified instructors from Offshore Sailing School in a program that combines classroom work with time on the water. Students will set sail on a fleet of Colgate 26s, a 26-foot sloop that carries one instructor and four students.
ìThereís just nothing like the thrill of sailing in New York Harbor with the sun illuminating New Yorkís skyline and a fresh breeze propelling your boat as you sail by the Statue of Liberty,î says Doris Colgate, CEO of Offshore Sailing School. ìLearn to Sail in a Day is designed to whet the appetites of the adventurous and let them discover how accessible sailing is, so close to home.î
Children ages 4 and up will have their own route into sailing through the Kids Aboard Boat Building Workshop. U.S.-certified teachers Curtis and MaggiLu Tucker have developed a two-week program, which will run in some Florida schools, that combines boat construction with academics; they have condensed the program for the four days of SAIL EXPO.
Young sailors together will build, launch, and race two wooden 10-foot skiffs. Artistry will also be involved: the young sailors will decide how the boats will be painted and decorated once they are constructed. Parents can tour the show while their children are having fun building boats.
"One of the best parts of this program is seeing how kids of all ages work together," said Curtis Tucker, who has taught elementary school in the U.S., Europe, and South America and also holds his US Coast Guard captain`s license. "The teenagers help the younger kids and almost become the teachers themselvesÖ That, and seeing the kids` faces when they finish the boats, launch them, and paddle or