Youth Sailing Foundation - Forum

Youth Sailing Foundation Indian River County (YSFIRC) launches fleet in Vero Beach, home of the Vero Beach Power Squadron (www.verobeachps.com).

After many conversations and lots of action by many individuals, it has come to pass. The YSFIRC got off the ground and they have Optimist Dinghies in the water here in Vero Beach.

Efforts of many paid off. They said “Build it and they will come” so they did and they came to see what it was all about. Rather than get into a long story I will let the blog (http://theverobeachoptimistdingy.blogspot.com/ ) show you what has happened.

The blog happened by chance after I got excited so it’s just another element to help spread the word. The official YSFIRC website is (http://www.ysfirc.org/). Hope you enjoy the journey.

The Vero Beach Power Squadron is one of the ingredients of this endeavor. Many of its members are contributing funds for OPTI kits to be manufactured. Many are volunteering time to assist in the building process, while others are educating and training the young in the fine art of building and sailing. Once you get out on the water you get hocked. I know I did.

They have managed to get published in Vero Beach Magazine (Summer 2010 page 36).

One of the founding fathers of the YSF is Charlie Pope. He and his lovely wife seem to be camping out at the marina. They spend a lot of time helping all who get involved. They both do it all.

The boats are registered with the Coast Guard and have vessel ID plates attached to the hull. Each Optimist Dinghy is identified with a number in the sail (YSF1), which relates to the order in which it was built. Dinghies were donated (Vero Beach Power Squadron, Vero Beach Yacht Club and the Woodman Boarman), and dad, mom, grandpa or grandma purchased some.

So the fleet is in the water and more are in various stages of production. In the next few months you will see many boats in an around the M. Barber Bridge and the Vero Beach Marina. The best viewing spots are along the marina docks and up on the bridge.

Sailing days are posted on the website(http://www.latitude2739.com/index.htm). If you want to get up close and personal; then just come on in to the manufacturing facility at the Vero Beach Marina 3 story tin shed next to the Vero Beach Yacht Club.