2019 Community Sailing Series a Success!

RALEIGH, N.C., AUGUST 10, 2019 – This past Thursday evening marked the finale of the 2019 SailPack Summer Community Sailing Series hosted by NC State Sailing at Lake Crabtree County Park. This year's program welcomed more than 130 community participants over the course of the summer. As a volunteer-run program, NC State Sailing student-athletes contributed nearly 85 hours of community service. In its fifth year, the SailPack Summer Community Sailing Series has hosted more than 700 sailors, many of whom were novice sailors newly introduced to the sport, as well as returning sailors from across the spectrum of experience. 

"Each week we share the sport we love with new friends," said NC State Sailing co-ed team captain Adam Augustine. "We get to introduce one-design college-style dinghy racing to our community. A lot of people came to multiple sessions so it's also a way to grow community." 

"The whole experience is very hands-on and involved. When you arrive, you start learning sailing vocab and how to rig the boat. Then it's getting the boats launched. All of the SailPack volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable," recounts community participant Karin Locke. "Everyone is working hard and having fun on the water. The best part is racing!"

During a July community sailing series, a spectator with a drone made this great short video and shared it with us.
Special thanks to Henk Visagie for sharing this great video with us. 

"Putting on the community sessions is a lot of work and our student-athletes do so much to make it run so smoothly," said NC State Sailing head coach Dana Magliola. "People have a lot of fun trying something new or sharpening up their skills. They also learn about the sailing program at NC State so that's a bonus."

Sailors queue at the start line before a race during a late June community sailing session. 

 

As the school year gets closer, NC State Sailing shifts into gear for the upcoming regatta season. The SailPack gets back on the water in late August and will compete in more than 15 dinghy and offshore (keelboat) events in the fall season. On October 12-13th, NC State hosts their fall home regatta with 10 college teams competing at Lake Crabtree with excellent spectating and hospitality for fans and supporters - all free of charge.

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