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Welcome the Nantucket Community Sailing, Nantucket Race Week and Opera House Cup Newsletter. Please read on to learn about our upcoming season! | |
NCS opened Summer 2024 (our 30th anniversary!) registration on Tuesday, January 23rd for Island Families; on Friday, January 26th for Returning Families; and on Thursday, February 1st for general enrollments.
We are grateful to our supporters for a very strong opening (currently 552 sessions filled by 365 unique participants) and thank everyone for their patience as we spend time sorting classes and moving as many students as possible off of waitlists. If you are still seeking a spot in 2024 programs, there are many slots available! If your preferred class is full, please also add your name to the class waitlist on your online account, as we see changes weekly. Please also consider booking private lessons through our Jetties Sailing Center software (click on “Rentals/Book a Lesson” on our homepage). Reservations for rentals (kayaks, SUPs, sailboats), as well as our Tiny Salts program will open on our Jetties Sailing Center software (linked above) on June 1st at 9am.
Nantucket-Resident students currently compose 32% of our 2024 participants. Our mission is to give Island-resident youth the opportunity to learn to sail, thanks to the support of our generous donors. The NCS youth scholarship program encourages children to sail for more than one week so that they can develop their skills and progress through our classes. We do all we can to ensure that your child has the opportunity to get out on the water in a class they’ll enjoy this summer. See you soon!
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The NHS Sailing team is looking forward to an exciting 2024 season. Seniors Alice O’Banion and Archie Ferguson, joined by junior Rory Murray, will lead the team as captains. Head Coach Bruce Turner will return for another season, joined by Assistant Coaches Amy Baldwin, Jim Meehan, Harry Wilcox, Nic Judson and Mia Porter.
The NHS Team has a a goal of improving on their 2nd place league finish last year, starting with an early test against Barnstable on April 2nd. The team is also expanding their NESSA participation in early April by sailing in the Greenwich Super 10 against many non-league teams. This should be excellent exposure to the top teams in New England. They'll also be attending the O’Day qualifiers and finally, they'll once again be hosting the Cape and Islands Women's Championship in late May.
The team home-base will once again be Great Harbor Yacht Club; keep an eye out as the start of the season is just around the corner!
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Blair, Newhouse Sailing Scholarships Awarded | |
Established in 2019, the Dr. Margaret H. (“Meg”) Blair Sailing Scholarship honors and remembers Meg Blair, who was passionate about the water in all ways – she was an avid sailor and fisherman, and loved teaching others her passion and the feeling of empowerment that sailing a boat provides. The scholarship typically provides a 4-week sailing scholarship for two year-round Nantucket children annually. Congratulations to our 2024 recipients: Nolan Finger and Jack Henry Neil.
Alan I. Newhouse was an avid Nantucket sailor and one of the founders of Nantucket Community Sailing. His passion was watching young children learn to sail in Polpis Harbor, and he often took NCS donors and friends out to Polpis for them to see the children in action. Established in 2008, the Alan I. Newhouse Scholarship is typically available to two year-round youth each year, for up to four weeks of sailing (with awards being shared amongst three students this year). Congratulations to our 2024 recipients: Everett Hollister, Owen Hollister and Wendy Stewart.
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Attention Tiny Sailors! Join NCS for Tiny Salts, for toddlers ages 2 and 3 (and “young” 4s) this summer! On Tuesdays in July & August, from 9am - 10am (Session 1) and 10:30am -11:30am (Session 2), we’ll introduce your child to sailboats, kayaks, paddle boards, sailing and more. New this year - we'll also be offering three Thursdays of Tiny Salts for those who can't join us on a Tuesday: July 11, July 25 and August 8. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver - and both the child and the caregiver should plan to get wet, as we jump in and out of boats, sing sailing songs, and learn some new sailing words! Capacity is limited to 12 students/toddlers in each session. The class will be held at our Jetties Sailing Center at Jetties Beach. The class is $25 for one hour. Please email emily@nantucketsailing.org with questions. Enrollment will open at 9am on June 1st on our website at this link under “Book Now.”
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NCS 30th Anniversary - Save the Date | |
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Join us on Friday, August 2nd throughout the day at the Jetties Sailing Center to help us celebrate turning 30! Free sails, rentals, music, giveaways, cake and more! Stay tuned for more information!
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We will also be hosting a 30th Anniversary Gala on Friday, August 16, 2024. Please stay tuned for more information. Thank you to Citizens Private Bank for sponsoring the 30th Anniversary Gala.
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Please help us spread the word: NCS will once again offer Wednesday morning Adaptive Sailing Lessons (at Polpis and Jetties) for sailors with special needs, who are interested in sailing. First-time, as well as experienced sailors, ages 5 and up, alongside a caregiver, are welcome. NCS aims to accommodate both physical disabilities and intellectual disabilities, as we are able, as well as sailing specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum, and those going through physical or emotional therapy. Thanks to our donors, there will be no cost for these sails. These sails will carry on the wonderful legacy established by Paul Callahan’s Nantucket's Sail to Prevail, which is now run by NCS as part of our free community outreach. Contact NCS Program Director emily@nantucketsailing.org to schedule. | |
Save the Date! 2024 NRW and OHC | | |
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Nantucket Community Sailing's primary fundraiser, Nantucket Race Week, will be August 14-18, 2024 and includes a schedule of regattas and social events for youth and adults. Stay tuned for more information and please email francine@nantucketsailing.org if you would like to get involved in NRW 2024!
The Opera House Cup, sponsored by Blue Flag, will be sailed on Sunday, August 18th.
And don't forget to add to your calendar the Annual Classic Yacht Exhibition, sponsored by Pure Insurance, Saturday, August 17th at the Nantucket Boat Basin.
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Keep an eye out for Annual Appeal mailing and consider making a donation to NCS. NCS will enter its 30th sailing season in 2024, and we are very grateful to all our supporters. | | |
Work with Us!
NCS Seeks Administrative Assistant
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NCS is seeking an Administrative Assistant. This is a seasonal position that could be year-round. If you are an individual who is a self-starter, hard-working and detail oriented; and are an organized person who has excellent phone, computer and strong communication skills, then we want you! The Administrative Assistant will work closely with the in-house team as well as the NCS participants. Please send your resume to francine@nantucketsailing.org
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Open Slots in 2024 Summer Programs | |
There are many slots still available in our Summer 2024 programing! | |
Buy a Jetties Sailing Center Membership Today! | |
Get Your NCS and NRW Gear! | |
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Nantucket Community Sailing and Nantucket Race Week gear is available year-round via our website and office. Get your gear: hats, shirts, jackets, rash guards, bags, sailing gear and so much more! Check out the great bundle deals as well! Shop online or stop by the NCS Main Office, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
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Stay tuned for information on our NCS x Native shoe offerings from May 1 - May 15! These "closed-toe" shoes are perfect for our sailors. A pre-buy will be available, and 15% of sales will benefit the NCS Scholarship Fund!
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