In early July, four BYC Jr. Race Team members: Pearce Mendoza (age 13), Gray Hemans (age 11), Isabelle Meegan (age 13) and Peter Joslin (age 10) travelled to Riverside Yacht Club in Greenwich, Connecticut to participate and race in their summer program and regatta. For some of us, this was our first time ever travelling out of state to race. Also, we were to be racing in Optimists, which are slightly different than the Naples Sabot which we are used to racing here in Southern California.
On Monday, July 7, the four of us and our chaperones, Patrick and Tiare Meegan, left from Long Beach airport. When we arrived at JFK International Airport, we were all very excited. When we arrived at the Schinto’s house, there were also very excited and kind to let us stay at their home. Throughout the week, we sailed Optimists, spent time at the yacht club, made new friends, and sailed in their big boat races. We also rode on their motor boat “Storm”. On Saturday the regatta was a ton of fun and we learned a lot.
We would like to thank the BYC Maritime Sciences and Seamanship Foundation, BYC members Christian Rosene, Jack Joslin, Jeffrey Petersen, The Petersen family, the Joslin family, the Meegan family, the Schinto family, the Keller family, Riverside Yacht Club and BYC’s Junior program. Thank you so much for all of your support. This was a great experience that we will never forget.