School Is Out, Sailing Is In

Across the USA, young sailors are getting ready to put away their school backpacks and pull out their sailing clothes and life jackets to enjoy another summer sailing season on the water. The 11th season of US SAILING’s USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival (JO) programme kicks off in June with three events.

Typical of the JO programme, the June events are hosted by sailing organizations throughout the country: Florida, Colorado, and Michigan. With support from sponsors West Marine, Gill, and Active.com, US SAILING’s JO programme is designed to give young sailors between the ages of 8 and 21 the opportunity to learn, enjoy the fun and excitement of competitive sailing, and develop skills for a lifelong involvement in the sport.

The JO programme has had a tremendous impact on the growth of youth sailing, proven by the popularity of its regattas. The 22 JO events scheduled for 2007 are expected to attract some 4,000 sailors; over the course of its history, the programme has drawn over 30,000 youth sailors.

For more information about USA Junior Olympic Sailing, visit www.ussailing.org/youth/racing/jo or contact Lee PARKS, US SAILING Inshore Director.

To view the 2007 USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival schedule CLICK HERE.