A few words, videos and pictures from FreeSail participants..
Jennifer – Aug 22, 2010
I really want to thank you for organizing that wonderful sail on the Donneybrook. Brian and I both really enjoyed the cruise. It is a memory that I will cherish for a very long time.
Thanks again for the great adventure
Anton – July 25, 2010
Thank you for such a marvelous experience. Lily and I had a lot of fun.
I grew up on sailboats and the water, so it wasn’t a new experience for me. I mostly just enjoyed the ride. But for Lily, it was the first time she’d ever enjoyed sailboating, particularly manning the rudder. Thanks to your program, she has a small taste of something I was able to enjoy when I was younger.
Please pass along our thanks to Flecher (Fletcher?), as well, for his performance as our instructor.
Debi – June 6, 2010
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful experience we had on Sunday. Although the weather cut short our day – we enjoyed the time we had out on the water getting our sea-legs and learning the workings of sailing. My husband, who I kind of had to drag along, even left saying we need to learn more about this.
Wilson, was our ‘teacher’ for the afternoon – and was terrific. He has a knack for knowing where we would feel apprehension and offering wonderful support.
Thanks again for a great program,
Debi
John – May 2, 2010
Good day Lorie,
Debbie and I offer our thanks to you and your group for the time, patients, and commitment given to offering an introduction to the fun of sailing. I hope this will be the start of my entry to the sport.
Please extend our great appreciation to Steve and his wife for sharing their beautiful boat, years of experience, and pleasant hospitality. It made beautiful day for sailing great.
John
Kick off of the 2010 sessions – article from the Baltimore Sun
Leigh – Aug 30
My mother and I wanted to say a big thank you for the FreeSail session this last Sunday. Susan, Tony, Ken and the rest of the Annapolis Community Boating really know their stuff around a sailboat and sailing in general and helped us to do our best during our afternoon sail. They were very gracious and helped us to be at ease in the sailboat. It sure was a hot day, but we made the best of the breezes when they occurred.
We really enjoyed the afternoon.
I have read all of the reading materials included in our plastic bag, and think that I may look further into a round of lessons in sailing.
Thank you so much to the Annapolis Community Boating for this program and for our session on Sunday.
Will – Aug 9
It was a pleasure to meet you and everyone there yesterday. Donna and I had a most wonderful time, and now we are definitely hooked on sailing!!!!! Alex and the other young man (sorry I forgot his name…blue bandana!) were very informative on the water, and made us all very comfortable on our first time.
Jill – July 26
Pictures of a day of FreeSail
Liz – July 26
Video of a day of FreeSail
Debra – July 26
Thank you for allowing my husband and I to attend the Free Sailing Session.
We really enjoyed ourselves and were happy that we came despite the weather conditions in Thurmont, MD. The weather in Annapolis, MD was beautiful just as you said.
Our instructor was excellent and very thorough in his teachings. We even thank the other instructor for showing us different ways to tie knots. We definitely have learned something new about sailing.
Thanks again and have a great day!
Yemaya – July 19
Thanks you so much for the class on Sunday. I enjoyed myself thoroughly and Drew was great!
He was informative, patient, and entertaining all at the same time. I intend on supporting your organization and telling others about my wonderful experience. I wish you all continued success! I will continue to spread the word about the nonprofit organization that gave me the opportunity to have a great learning experience out on the water! I felt empowered and compelled to continue perusing the leisure sport of sailing. My Mother, Sister and I went home and looked up the sailing terms and even went as far as researching the purchase of a 25 Catalina! J LOL
Thanks Again!
Eric – June 21
“Thank you for organizing a FreeSail session on Sunday, June 21st at the Annapolis Harbor. I grew up on the water in Florida. We had sailboat-themed wallpaper, sailboat dishes and even paintings of sailboats, but I was raised by a single mom, and we never had the opportunity to get out on the water. There was no one to teach us how to sail anyway.
Annapolis Community Boating taught me the ropes (literally), and the basics of sailing I had always wanted to learn. I am so grateful to your organization for making that happen. The instructors were not only knowledgeable and professional, but extremely charismatic as well. The boats were so gorgeous that I nearly fell over when I heard they had been donated for the day. My fellow students came from all over and had even less exposure to sailing than I did, but everyone had the time of their lives. I have seen programs like this in Florida, Boston, and California, but Annapolis Community Boating runs the best, most professional, most comprehensive, and most life-changing program I have ever seen. Boston’s old program on the Charles may be one of the biggest of its kind, but it wouldn’t stand a chance if it had to compete with Annapolis Community Boating.
Offering this program for free is not only an immense public service, it is the opportunity of a lifetime, especially for people like me who have never had any formal training on a sailboat. Thank you so much for making this happen. It was an absolutely unforgettable day.”
