Youth Programs

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Adult Sailing

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our popular annual gala
Monday, March 15, 2021

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PROGRAMS

Youth Sailing Foundation (YSF) offers Indian River County (IRC) residents sailing programs for all ages and levels of sailing experience...

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VOLUNTEER

YSF offers many opportunities to volunteer. There are opportunities to teach both children and adults in our various programs...

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DONATE

Donate now and help a local child set sail, on the water and beyond! Your gift provides free access to sailing for kids from all backgrounds...

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Learn about Youth Sailing Foundation’s community impact and be the first to receive important announcements...

Come Join Us

AS A STUDENT, PARENT, VOLUNTEER OR SUPPORTER

Youth Sailing Foundation

OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

Founded in 2009 by Charlie & Chris Pope and Varoujan "Pops" Karentz, Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization offering free sailing instruction to the children of Indian River County. We believe sailing is an adventure for a lifetime. While learning to sail children life skills that will endure. Sailing challenges and builds confidence by taking children outdoors, out of their comfort zone, and into a world of wind and water. They learn to rig and pilot their own sailboats on the beautiful Indian River Lagoon in Vero Beach. YSF’s success is measured in the competence, discipline, responsibility and leadership skills that blossom in our students. All of this is also available to adults who join our rapidly growing adult classes in larger sailboats.

We are funded through the generosity and support of local individuals, businesses and foundations. Please click on the Donor page above for details on the programs your generous gift will underwrite. You can make a difference in a young person’s life that will be a living legacy of your financial support. Come join us as a student, parent, volunteer or donor as we sail the Indian River Lagoon. Instruction is by certified US Sailing Instructors backed up by a team of seasoned volunteers. Safety is taught before sailing starts. We have a fleet of safety boats that deploy before the first sailboat is launched. All sailors must pass a swim test before instruction can begin, life jackets are mandatory, and we always have our eye on the weather.

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Transcript

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Speaker 0: The youth sailing foundation of Indian River County offers kids in this community something that, uh, most of them have never been exposed to.
Speaker 1: Well, I think, uh, Youth Sailing Foundation is an amazing program because it's free for kids in the local community, but they have this tremendous group of volunteers from the community who are all here to share their passion with the students.
Speaker 2: We have children from all walks of life, all sailing together. They're learning ecology. They're learning how to take care of the environment. They're learning water safety. They're learning so many things besides sailing.
Speaker 3: My son, Sam is in this program, he gained confidence in himself. He's happy now.
Speaker 4: Every day I feel more confident. Thanks to this place.
Speaker 5: Once you start going, you wouldn't want to stop.
Speaker 6: We're really trying to change the culture here and have sailing and be a part of an inner girl sport in Indian River Lagoon.
Speaker 7: We have now run approximately 300 children through our program, and that's more than we ever dreamed of. And we have you to thank for that.