Dinghies Today, America's Cup Tomorrow

When the tanned and freckled faces of Little Silver and Oceanport kids head back to school this September, there will be three who have something special to write in their "what-I-did-this-summer" essays.

Fifth graders Erine Ruane and Julie Valinoti of Oceanport and Will Perry of Little Silver were each winners of an essay contest this spring, sponsored by the past commodores of the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club (SSYC) in Oceanport. The winners each received a scholarship for a summer of sailing lessons at the club.

From their essays you can hear the sailor's heart in each of them.

Erin opened her essay with this:

"Since I was three years old, whenever I went over the Gooseneck Bridge I would see the little, tiny sailboats in the river. I would always say that one day I would sail in the mini sailboats below!"

Now Erin is one of those sailors in the boats under the bridge. Her favorite part she says is visiting the beaches and islands in the river.

Julia, who rides her bike to her twice-a-week lessons, said sailing is the "best thing in her life." In her essay she wrote that she comes from a family of sailors. Julia had heard the stories of sailing and racing from her grandfather and uncles and now, she hoped, she could tell them of her own nautical adventures.

"I love to learn new things," she wrote. "I love to swim. I love the water. I love seeing the fish in the water - even the jellyfish. I love how it feels when the wind blows in my hair."

Will titled his essay, A Deep Desire, and from the sound of it, his love for the water runs deeper than the Shrewsbury River. "I would love to be cruising across the enchanting ocean, jumping the waves and having loads of fun... It would be so relaxing to watch the sun bounce off the shining, shimmering water. I really would love to sail."

Now that he is out on the water, Will says it is exactly like he thought it would be - relaxing and calm. But the best part, he said, is "being independent."

"They don't tell you to do so many things and they do fun things with you like have an Easter egg hunt on the water," he said.

Robert Kelly, a past commodore of the sailing club, started the scholarship fund in 2003 to give kids who couldn't afford the program, or who had never been exposed to sailing, the chance to tap into a skill that can lead to a lifelong love affair with the wind and the waves. Beginner lessons for those who don't own a boat can be pricey at upwards of $700. And though the junior program is open to anyone, the club itself, tucked away behind the sea grasses on Oneida Avenue, is members only. Parents who didn't grow up sailing here, might not even know it exists.

"I can unequivically say that the winners chosen would never have enrolled in a sailing class if it weren't for our offer of a scholarship," said Bill Van Winkle of Little Silver, this year's head of the past commodores group. Van Winkle said it warmed his heart to see the enthusiasm the youngsters showed for a chance to learn to sail, something that he and his family have enjoyed together for years.

"You can learn everything about life that you need to know from learning how to sail: teamwork, being responsible, sportsmanship, being prepared for whatever and handling whatever happens, safety, how to read other people and their actions, and taking care of your equipment," Bill said.

The program's first scholarship went to Jenny Lane of Oceanport, who went on to enter the Coast Guard Academy this year. During th school year Jenny and other former SSYC junior members visited Little Silver and Oceanport schools to tell kids about the program and the contest.

Erin wrote in her essay that when Jenny came, she told students that sailing changed her life and that stuck with Erin.

Past commodores Fred Beshore of Oceanport and John Garth and Stuart Van Winkle, both of Little Silver, coordinated the project, contacted the schools, conducted presentations and collected and graded the essays. The scholarships are funded by dues from all of the club's past commodores, and Bill said, the group plans to run the program again next year.

Which is good news for all the little sailors out there who have yet to discover their sea legs. This time next year they might join Erin in the same feeling that she closed her essay with: 

"Now the dreams I had when I was three can finally come true. It would be great to have a hobby to share with all my friends and sail the mini sailboats of my dreams. I positively think sailing could change my life, just like Jenny said."