YSF Community Sailing of Vero Beach was founded in 2009 by Charlie & Chris Pope and “Pops” Karentz as a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit offering free sailing to the children of Indian River County (IRC). Sailing is used as a medium to teach the basic building blocks for a successful life. Sailing is experiential learning at its best. It requires focus, perseverance, and resilience. Lose focus and you’re swimming instead of sailing. The first drill every sailor learns is how to recover from a capsize. Sailors are on their own. There is no sailing until they right the boat, dust themselves off, and regain control.

YSF introduces sailing to over 300 children a year. Our roster mirrors the demographics of IRC. Nearly fifty percent of our sailors come from underserved homes. Working with the Homeless Children’s Foundation, we have taught about 50 children with housing insecurity to sail over the last two years. Twenty-seven percent of our sailors represent the minority community, while twelve percent are sailors with special needs that sail a fleet of specially designed sailboats adapted to their needs. YSF introduces sailing to over 300 children a year. Our roster mirrors the demographics of IRC. Nearly fifty percent of our sailors come from underserved homes. Working with the Homeless Children’s Foundation, we have taught about 50 children with housing insecurity to sail over the last two years. Twenty-seven percent of our sailors represent the minority community, while twelve percent are sailors with special needs that sail a fleet of specially designed sailboats adapted to their needs.

Sailing is a challenge. With success, confidence soars. The impact can be life-changing, helping a child achieve their full potential. A full-time staff of four highly trained and dedicated professionals teaches sailing and life skills. They are assisted by thirty volunteers providing 5,000 hours a year of highly skilled maintenance work in our shops and another group of twenty that serve as safety officers on the water.

A growing adult learn-to-sail and boat share program introduces parents and other adults to sailing while generating revenue to help support junior programs. YSF is still dependent on the generosity of donors for 85% of its operating funds. Please consider a gift. Click on the Donate button above to give online or via a check in the mail.