The South Shore Yacht Club Junior Program has been an integral part of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s sailing community since 1935, when Past Commodore William “Bill” J. Lawrie and Albert Nickel founded it to foster youth sailing.
From humble beginnings in Lawrie’s basement, the program has grown tremendously through the dedication of countless volunteers and leaders. For decades, young sailors gathered wherever space was available – from a simple shed to the club’s basement – until 2006, when members realized their dream of building a dedicated clubhouse after years of fundraising.
In 2004, under the leadership of Commodores Vic Weiler and Helen “Cookie” Mueller, the program achieved nonprofit status as the SSYC Junior Sailing Foundation, allowing it to better serve its mission of teaching sailing to local youth. Through more than 80 years of continuous operation, the program has remained committed to its founding vision of encouraging the sport of sailing while building community among young people on Milwaukee’s south shore.
The South Shore Yacht Club Junior Program is dedicated to making sailing accessible to all youth in the greater Milwaukee area. The club’s inclusive program welcomes children ages 8 to 18, regardless of prior sailing experience or yacht club affiliation.
According to the club, the program is structured to remove common barriers to entry – parents don’t need to be club members or own boats to enroll their children. They also offer need-based scholarships through the South Shore Sailing Foundation, which was founded to support young sailors ages 8-11 with both program fees and necessary equipment. Recipients are awarded a scholarship on an annual basis – and may be re-applied at registration the following year.
The club keeps the Junior membership fee affordable at $50 a year and includes it within the lesson pricing structure to maintain affordability. Sailors are able to participate in annual events throughout the year such as monthly ‘meet ups’, speakers and seminars when it’s not practical to be out on the water.
The program is guided by an advisory committee that works to maintain their standards of education as well as fostering a supportive community environment. The committee focuses on developing high-quality instructional programming, organizing both on-water and off-water activities that build lasting friendships and creating opportunities for young sailors to give back to the local community.
South Shore Yacht Club’s junior program has boats to support kids from the beginning to their adult sailing life. From Optis to Club 420s to a Lightning that juniors can race in the adult racing series, they have a range of boats that kids can use to further their sailing goals.
“Watching my kid grow each summer through the South Shore Yacht Club Junior’s sailing program has been incredible,” said Chris Manley, a parent and South Shore Sailing Foundation board member. “He’s learned technical aspects of sailing, responsibility for taking care of a boat, and gained confidence on the water. The instructors have done an amazing job of creating an environment where he feels challenged yet still supported and encouraged. He’s made new friendships and it’s been wonderful to see them working together as a team during lessons and regattas.”
Learn more about South Shore Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing Program: https://www.southshoresailing.org/ and donate today: https://www.southshoresailing.org/fundraising