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| CRBJ Home > August 2006 | ||||||
Smooth sailing for the summerJames Edward Mills
"I love windsurfing," he said. "I'd like to try sailing too. It's something I hope I can do a lot of when I'm older." Magdallina is one of almost 150 young people between the ages of 7 and 17 who spend two weeks through the summer at the Madison Youth Sailing Foundation. Operating out of the boathouse at Maple Bluff Marina on Lake Mendota, the nonprofit organization aims to give children throughout Dane County the opportunity to learn windsurfing and sailing at low rates or, in some cases, free of charge. Students have access to first-rate equipment and are provided with expert instruction. The Madison Youth Sailing Foundation was established in 1992 by area sailing enthusiasts Bradley Binkowski of the development company Urban Land Interests and Todd Tiefenthaler of Kramer Painting Co. The two businessmen aimed to share their love of the sport with young people who may not have the resources to get into it on their own. "All of us have been racing sailors throughout our lives," Tiefenthaler said. "The only way to perpetuate racing sailing is to expose 150 kids and hope some of them will continue on in the sport." At age 19, Todd Tiefenthaler's son Hans is the sailing program's lead instructor. Once a sailing student, Hans Tiefenthaler said his experience at a young age made him truly love the sport. "It's a really great sport to get involved in especially in a youth program," Hans Tiefenthaler said. "Just getting the kids out there and letting them see it shows them the possibilities." Other business professionals, such as Isthmus Sailboards owner Gary Stone, have become involved to share their interest in sailing and grow the training program. Stone donated much of the windsurfing equipment the foundation uses. "I got to a point in my life where I'd been in the windsurfing business for 20 years," Stone said. "It's been good to me and I thought it would be really nice to give something back to others and let them experience this." The program offers instruction in beginning optimus-class sailboats, more advanced laser-class sailboats and windsurfers. Participants are required to be strong swimmers and have a genuine desire to learn how to sail. The classes cost between $99 and $189 dollars for a one-week or two-week session. They meet for two hours Monday through Thursday with three hours of open sailing on Friday. Madison Youth Sailing Foundation Director Lauren Costello said the program is open to any child who wants to sail, including those of modest means. "We have six kids from community centers around the Madison area that are on full scholarship this summer and we have two kids that are on partial scholarship," Costello said. Parent Mary Jane Carpenter said the sailing program provides her son Max with high-quality instruction in a supportive environment. She is hopeful the program will instill in Max an appreciation for sailing well into the future. "It's a good way to get their feet in the water safely," Carpenter said. "He's seeing this as a recreational activity for life." James Edward Mills is a State Journal reporter. jmills@madison.com madison.com ©2009 Capital Newspapers. All rights reserved. |
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