Page 41 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

2020
Chicago Maritime Arts Center

The year 2020 presented some new challenges for CMAC, but with valuable help from
Karen Harris (past Commodore of Jackson Park Yacht Club), we were able to safely
run four youth programs this summer and comply with Covid-19 health restrictions.
Our programs included two two-week tool skills, ecology and boating skills classes
at Southern Shore YC and the Chicago Sailing loft. We also conducted two one-week
programs on boating skills and marine ecology, held at Chicago Corinthian YC and
Southern Shore YC. The boys and girls aged 11-15 came primarily from the Pilsen and
South Shore neighborhoods thanks to the help of Lost Boyz, Inc.

Dave Rearick, an The weather was beautiful last Friday – the Saturday is our final half-day – a chance for
author and noted final day of our course. Armed with their new the mariners to display their new skills to
skills, our students were ready to venture parents and coaches. As the students arrive,
Great Lakes sailor beyond their horizons. I learned a long time they don their PFDs and go to a distant dock
who completed ago that our limits are never fully fixed. Once to bring their boats over to the Club. We stay
a single-handed we stretch them past the familiar, beyond our behind – allowing the young crews to manage
circumnavigation “back yards,” we define new back yards. For on their own. As we gather to review what
in 2013, was part these young mariners, their back yards now they’ve learned the answers come quickly –
include the waters in and around Chicago and tying knots, water quality, rowing, kayaking,
of our instructor Lake Michigan. basic boating safety and how to tie up a
team at SSYC Upon arrival, we let our students know we were boat. For young kids, testing horizons and the
in August. He limits of their freedom is often hindered by
going on an extended expedition. We headed
describes very to the far end of the lagoon, through the adult concerns and reservations. Today, these
well the work channel under Lake Shore Drive and out to the students have earned new freedoms and a
better understanding of a new environment.
CMAC does in mouth of Jackson Harbor. The students turned
to look in the direction of the underpass of LSD On a personal note, I can only dimly remember
the excerpt below and asked “under there?” “YES!” back to when I first rowed a boat. While my
taken from a “backyard” has expanded to the entirety of
recent blog post: Excitedly, the young mariners donned their the earth’s oceans, my time spent with these
PFDs and took to the boats. Within a few
minutes our home dock faded from view and students returned me to the memories of those
our gaze turned towards the big water. Each first experiences on the water – so many joyful
stroke brought new confidence and skill. One memories. Perhaps you remember your first
Dave Rearick is also by one we reached the harbor entrance and experience on the water. Maybe you can join
an Ambassador the more adventurous pushed their bows out in sharing those experiences with the next
for 11th Hour to the unknown to have a look around at the generation: They need it now more than ever.
Racing, a Schmidt wide-open horizon …
Family Foundation
dedicated to CMAC greatly appreciates the support of the
helping save Follow Dave at
the marine www.BodaciousDreamExpeditions.com Chicago Yachting Association, its member
environment. The organizations and many individual club
11th Hour Racing Learn more about 11th Hour Racing at members. With your support, we look forward
Foundation has www.11thhourracing.org to bringing many more kids to Chicago waters
been a supporter of
CMAC since 2018. in 2021 and beyond.

2020 yachting in chicago 41