We Teach Kids to Sail!
Youth Sailing: The Early Years
Welcome to T.S.S. Youth Sailing Inc.
Until 1991, kids who wanted to learn to sail at the Tampa Sailing Squadron had to depend on their
parents or other club members who were willing to act as mentors. Young people would often show
up at the small boat Squadron races held on Sundays in Bal Harbor. Noticing these kids, who
wanted to sail, but had no mentors or other instruction, Life Member Bud Marafiote thought the
club needed a more structured plan.
In the summer of 1991, largely due to Bud's passion for teaching and his enthusiasm in enlisting
other club members, the first "Youth Sailing" classes were held with a volunteer teaching staff
headed by Bill Borrer. Among those very first club members to volunteer time and energy were Bud
Marafiote, Antolin Rivera, George Cussins, Bob Meyer, Bob Shaw, Eric Eisele, Jeff Austin, and Ray
Dupuis.
The first fleet was made up of prams purchased by Davy Jones from the Clearwater Yacht Club for
the bargain price of $1.00 each. These plywood hulls covered with mat fiberglass were made
shipshape by Bruce Kerns, Ed Johnson, Scott Echols, Bill Borrer, Bud Marafiote, Antolin Rivera,
Charlie Bruno, Bart Nunn and others. Classes were held each Saturday during school vacation, and
cost only $25.00 to cover wear on the prams. The program was adapted from the “Anyone Can Sail
a Sunfish” program, but the emphasis was on making sailing fun and then learning the basics. After
taking a quick swim test given by Bart Nunn, every child was sailing the first day !
The program was a great success and continued year after year until on April 19, 2000 the Youth
Sailing program was incorporated as its own entity. Signers on the original letter of incorporation
included: Bud Marafiote, Bill and Paula Borrer, Bob Shaw, Bill Lemmer, Susan Bishop, Matt Dalton,
David Watson Jr., and Jim Bothwell who represented TSS and provided the corporate leadership for
the incorporation process.
parents or other club members who were willing to act as mentors. Young people would often show
up at the small boat Squadron races held on Sundays in Bal Harbor. Noticing these kids, who
wanted to sail, but had no mentors or other instruction, Life Member Bud Marafiote thought the
club needed a more structured plan.
In the summer of 1991, largely due to Bud's passion for teaching and his enthusiasm in enlisting
other club members, the first "Youth Sailing" classes were held with a volunteer teaching staff
headed by Bill Borrer. Among those very first club members to volunteer time and energy were Bud
Marafiote, Antolin Rivera, George Cussins, Bob Meyer, Bob Shaw, Eric Eisele, Jeff Austin, and Ray
Dupuis.
The first fleet was made up of prams purchased by Davy Jones from the Clearwater Yacht Club for
the bargain price of $1.00 each. These plywood hulls covered with mat fiberglass were made
shipshape by Bruce Kerns, Ed Johnson, Scott Echols, Bill Borrer, Bud Marafiote, Antolin Rivera,
Charlie Bruno, Bart Nunn and others. Classes were held each Saturday during school vacation, and
cost only $25.00 to cover wear on the prams. The program was adapted from the “Anyone Can Sail
a Sunfish” program, but the emphasis was on making sailing fun and then learning the basics. After
taking a quick swim test given by Bart Nunn, every child was sailing the first day !
The program was a great success and continued year after year until on April 19, 2000 the Youth
Sailing program was incorporated as its own entity. Signers on the original letter of incorporation
included: Bud Marafiote, Bill and Paula Borrer, Bob Shaw, Bill Lemmer, Susan Bishop, Matt Dalton,
David Watson Jr., and Jim Bothwell who represented TSS and provided the corporate leadership for
the incorporation process.
It's lunch time, go to
the beach
the beach
Sunfish are fun
T.S.S. Youth Sailing Inc. - Where We Are Now
A lot has changed since the early years. Youth Sailing is now a U.S.Sailing certified program, and
the classes now last a full week and go all through the summer. Soon we hope the program will be
active year round and include adult classes in both small boats and keel boats.
Oops!!!
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