On October 28-29, Heart of Sailing celebrated an inaugural sailing weekend for the Southern California region in Dana Point. We were warmly welcomed and amazed by the overwhelming response of parents registering for the 2 day event. We ultimately had to close registration because people kept registering until the last minute! Needless to say we were filled to capacity!

While HoS had a goal of creating a region in California, the opportunity came to fruition thanks to the generosity and ingenuity of one of Southern California’s real estate agents, Paula Gray. Paula, owner of Shore Breeze Realty & Equity, Inc. , donated her 27’ Morgan to HoS for use in the inaugural program and the ongoing regional program. But she didn’t stop there! As a member of the Dana Point Yacht Club, Paula facilitated the hosting of the sailing weekend at the DPYC Clubhouse and docks. She also donated the lunches for both days and volunteered her time for registration and hosting. Paula, along with her assistant, Anne, were invaluable by providing us with resources and contacts in order to have a successful and enjoyable event. Representatives of the DPYC, including Simone Costes and Commodore Sue Senescu were instrumental in coordinating lunch and volunteers and loaning the extra life jackets we needed for all the participants! Thanks, too, to the restaurant staff who helped set up lunch and drinks for us!

More than 60 parents, caregivers and participants went sailing during the event. George captained the Morgan, while DPYC members Cindy Wynne, Tom and Cathy Admason, and Al Nelson donated their time to skipper their boats and take other participants sailing. Amazingly, on Sunday, the response was so incredible we simply didn’t have enough boat volunteers. George managed to take 24 people sailing by making 4 sailing trips that day! His humor and ingenuity including his "man overboard" rescue exercise involving "Herbie" (a floating cushion) made the children and their parents laugh. It was a fantastic day, with all participants receiving their medals and certificates. During the various sails, we were able to enjoy the beautiful coastline and sea life, including sunning sea lions and a pod of feeding dolphins. Parents and their children were overjoyed by the opportunity and many talked about sharing the news and wanted to know when the next Daysail would occur!

The lovely Dana Point weather favored the weekend, with especially fantastic sailing weather on Saturday afternoon. Dana Point is located halfway between Long Beach and San Diego in Orange County. Gorgeous hills, lovely beaches, and enchanting history of neighboring San Juan Capistrano make the area a prime destination for vacationers. Sailing is extremely popular in the community, with marina slip space being extremely limited and requiring a waiting list! Additionally, the area of Dana Point enjoys more than 350 sunny days per year and an annual temperature average of 73 degrees, making it an excellent regional location for a year-round program. With Paula’s ongoing assistance and the contacts and parents we met, HoS looks forward to establishing the regional program. Again, our thanks to all members of DPYC for their assistance, to all participants and parents for their interest, to Anne at Shore Breezes, and especially to Paula and Bob Gray for their hard work and their hospitality.