The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center’s annual Sailor’s Ball was held on Saturday evening, March 6, 2010. There, Saving Sailing author Nicholas Hayes announced two family sailing scholarships, minutes before father and son sailors Doug and Jared Drake were honored with the Sailor(s) of the Year award for a lifetimes of sailing advocacy, and for setting a fine example of family sailing in action.

The Drakes join a long list of sailing greats who have won the award, including Buddy Melges, Gary Jobson, Sally Barkow, Tim Kent and John Ruf.

Doug’s sailing career spans 7 decades and began when his brother proposed that he buy a Snipe before Doug had ever set foot on a boat. Doug is an MCSC founding father, providing both the vision and the muscle to provide public shoreline access and sailing instruction for all in Milwaukee -- a legacy that has influenced the lives of thousands. Jared and his dad teamed from the time Jared was a toddler, and since, Jared has competed as a top amateur nationally and internationally in Lasers, Solings, 470’s and Lightnings. Jared has been MCSC’s fleet and grounds director for 25 years.

Hayes a volunteer on the MCSC Board of Directors and chair of its Program Committee, took the opportunity to talk briefly about MCSC’s plans to focus intently on the family with a first ever “Family Learn-to-Sail” program, beginning this summer. In this innovative course, attracting attention from sailing advocates all over the world, families with young children will have a special opportunity to explore and learn about sailing together, as Doug and Jared did many years ago.

Hayes also announced that proceeds from the book and special “up-the-ante” donations gathered from Saving Sailing readers will provide scholarships for two families to participate in the new program.

The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center is a private, not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 agency that provides educational and recreational sailing programs to those who wish to gain access to Lake Michigan and learn to sail; regardless of age, physical ability or financial concerns.  For more information please see www.sailingcenter.org  or call 414 277-9094.

For information about Saving Sailing and sailing advocacy, visit www.savingsailing.com.

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