This reporter stumbled upon Capt. Dave Johansen doing just that with two small dinghies, a group of excited children and joyful parents at Saipan’s beautiful shoreline on Saturday afternoon.
Johansen — a certified master merchant mariner — launched the Saturday sailing class for young people as a means of contributing to the neighborhood by passing on his love and knowledge of sailing.
Initiated just three weeks ago as part of an outreach program by the Marianas Sailing Club, the free lessons welcome kids to join in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Beach Road’s shoreline just south of Microl.
“Master Seamen taught me as a kid the same way in a little dinghy on Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and I really enjoy continuing that legacy,” explained Johansen.
The hands-on classes use two eight-foot El Toro dinghies and instruction begins with such basics as how to right a capsized boat and mariner hand-signals, and then moves on to the mechanics and physics of sailing.
Johansen paid for the equipment but hopes local sponsors will step forward to underwrite some of the ongoing class expenses such as dinghy maintenance.
The only qualifications for the classes are that participants have good swimming skills and the attention span to learn and practice their new skills.
Johansen hopes to mentor enough next generation sailors to schedule future seafaring competitions in the bay.
Should your children need a no-cost outdoor activity for the new year, the sailing lessons are the perfect healthy and educational choice.
For more information, call Johansen at 285-4091 or drop by the island’s newest “sailing” beach and enjoy the community spirit and conversation.
