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Charleston Community Sailing Inc.
Physical Location:
Charleston City Marina
17 Lockwood Dr. K DOCK
Charleston, SC 29401
Office Location:
3 Lockwood Dr. Suite 302 B
Charleston, SC 29401
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 21811
Charleston, SC 29413
Contact:
(843) 607-4890
info@charlestoncommunitysailing.org
STAFF
Executive Director:
Jessica Koenig
Dockmaster:
Leonard Lundquist
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
John C. Skinner
George C. Scarborough
William H. Hanckel
Lucy Sass
Elizabeth S. Marenakos
Steven D. Shapiro
Miles H. Martschink
Kenneth T. King
Chris Hamilton
Patrick Hogan
John Cameron
Charleston Community Sailing, Inc. (CCSI) is a dream come to life for five fathers who wanted to promote an activity that was life changing for them and their family. With kids headed to highschool they noticed that there are many people who have never walked along Charleston shores, nor taken advantage of the life lessons that sailing can teach. To help share the lessons they learned and with no programs in place, they formulated a plan to fill the void. They drew up a Charter, filed with the IRS for 501 C3 status and began acquiring assets for their venture; six 420’s donated by the Carolina Yacht Club, a floating dock from the College of Charleston Sailing Foundation, and dock space supplied by The City Marina. It was 1999. CCSI was up and running, focused on high school students ages 16 and up.
The first team, formed at Pinewood Prep in Summerville, was quickly followed by others. Today schools include Academic Magnet, Ashley Hall School, Bishop England, Charleston Collegiate, First Baptist Church School, James Island High, Porter Gaud School, School of the Arts and Wando High School. Encouraged by the enthusiasm, CCSI reached deeper into the community, by teaching valuable life lessons to members of the Boys and Girls Club of the Trident area with “Buddy Sail”. This program pairs a child from the Club with a volunteer for an afternoon on the water while furthering the Boys and Girls Club’s mission; to instill young people with a sense of accomplishment, usefulness, and belonging. The partnership was perfect!
In 2005, CCSI became involved with Special Olympics, as James Island Yacht Club and CCSI launched the first South Carolina Special Olympics sailing team. Athletes were to be partnered for competition in regional events throughout the Southeast. In 2006, Sam Hazeltine, sailing for “Team Charleston”, was named Special Olympic spokesperson by the Metro Sports Council. Charleston County Parks also partnered with CCSI to include sailing in the parks’ summer day camps, providing many low country youths and now adults, with their first exposure to the sport of sailing. Due to continued interest and high demand, the programs will continue through 2012.
CCSI’s growing role as host to other organizations and competitions is a great source of pride. In collaboration with the College of Charleston Sailing Foundation and US Sailing, CCSI has hosted numerous events and classes at the local, district, and national levels. When it comes to sailing instruction, CCSI knows the ropes. CCSI sailors have advanced to sail on top-ranked college teams including College of Charleston, St. Mary’s, Tufts University and UNC/Chapel Hill. Some have returned to CCSI as coaches. Alana O’Reilly graduated CCSI programs to become Collegiate Female Sailor of the Year, currently coaches at Georgetown University and is training for the 2012 Olympics.
In 2010, Charleston Community Sailing partnered up with ChYC to manage their youth summer program to run the largest summer sailing program in town. This partnership will continue in years to come and help CCS engage the lives of children ages 5 -18 years old in unique learning experiences through innovative programs to build character and promote a healthy spirit, mind and body. Our programs enable all participants to take ownership of one of South Carolina’s greatest natural resources – its waterfront, bays and oceans.
Get google maps directions to Charleston Community Sailing at 17 Lockwood Drive: