Based on the North Fork of Long Island’s East End, the East End Youth Sailing Foundation is a non-profit charitable 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion of youth sailing. The Foundation’s mission is to facilitate the preparation, coaching and skill-building needed for high school students to participate and succeed in national and international sailing competition; and to do so in a way that promotes a lasting love of sailing and respect for all aspects of the
© Daniel Kuehn
sport, including seamanship, safety and sportsmanship.
“To this end, the East End Youth Sailing Foundation assists high schools, their students and parents in setting up high school sailing teams, and provides largely cost-free instruction and coaching ranging from beginners all the way to national high school sailing competitions,” said founder Christopher Kuehn. “Right now we support six high schools, not all of which have enough kids to make up a team for racing purposes and for which we then put together composite teams. Thanks to the support of the Old Cove Yacht Club in New Suffolk, and the generosity of many donors, the Foundation is able to offer youth sail training at the facilities of OCYC during the fall and spring high school sailing seasons, and support the teams at League (NYISA-SE), District (MASSA) and National (ISSA) competitions.”
The Foundation is currently in its sixth season of high school sailing, and is instrumental in nurturing high school sailors as they transition to college-level sailing. The Foundation also hosts the annual Ronan Guyer Memorial Single-Handed High School Regatta, with the third one sailed in Lasers earlier this year. “The Foundation is completely volunteer run and relies entirely on donations, said Kuehn. “Please help us make sailing available to high school students on the East End of Long Island.” To donate funds, your old Laser, C420, small powerboat or other equipment, log onto eastendyouthsailing.org and click on “Support Us.”
