KIDSAIL SAILING ACADEMY AT SANDESTINLess than one percent of Americans sail, but that’s about to change if Mike Zavison has his way. Kidsail Sailing Academy is Zavison’s brainchild. Launched at Sandestin in the summer of 1996, Kidsail is a hands-on sailing instruction program for children ages 9-15. “Sailing has been perceived as an exclusive sport,” observed Zavison. “Kidsail is non-exclusive and hopes to get more people involved in the sport.” Designed in four levels with 90 percent of the time in the water, Kidsail has hosted over 300 students since its inception. Levels one through three are taught as two four-hour sessions. The sailors advance to a new boat with each level and level four crews embarks on a daylong adventure aboard a fully rigged J80. A certification card is earned at the completion of each level, which entitles students to a 25 percent discount on Zavison’s sailboat rentals. There are no prerequisites for any of the courses. Meteorology, history, marine biology and boat craft are woven into the curriculum, which takes students through boat handling, racing strategy and single-handed sailing. Launching, knot tying, foil shaping, jibing, sail and hull trimming, and reading clouds and currents are some of the skills students acquire. “We show students how Columbus made it across in the tradewinds,” Zavison said. The son of a World War II-era merchant seaman, Zavison began sailing, as a child, at age seven. Zavison’s father trained him while at Sea School and the American Sailing Association. He acquired water survival, drownproofing and fire fighting skills during the five years he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1968-1973. Originally from Chicago, Zavison has sailed around the northwest Florida area since 1974. His primary residence of 19 years has been Atlanta. He resides in Destin, Fla. from April to September. A certified American Sailing Academy instructor, Zavison has taught sailing at Clemson University and trained marine officers in Quantico, VA. He also teaches celestial navigation and scuba. Kidsail enrollment is limited to eight students per session. Registration for guests of Sandestin� is $80 per level for the first three levels, approximately $10 per hour, and $110 for level four. All others add $10 per level. The program is held at Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Kidsail Sailing Academy Edited by Autumn Rhea |
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