Corinthian Yacht Club Commodore John Rahn has launched a fund drive to support the club’s new junior instructional program that will start next spring.

Through cooperation with The Sailing Foundation, all contributions to the program are tax-deductible.

This effort is just one small part of a long term strategic plan designed to evolve the club’s social dynamic in such a way that juniors, family racing, one designs and big boat programs all support each other and create a more lively social environment for member families.

Consultation with program directors at successful and prominent clubs throughout the US and Canada has helped to outline a well structured, high-quality program modeled after the very best programs in North America.

Our program at CYC will include up to 16 Optis and at least six Club 420s in its initial year, with multiple sailing “camps” starting this coming spring. The public program’s draft operational budget for its first two years projects operations running in the black starting in year one.

The sailing instruction will be open to the public, and based out of our CYC Shilshole facility. Thanks to the generous support and cooperation of the CYC I14 Fleet, the dinghies will be conveniently stored on the I-14 docks right next to the CYC Shilshole clubhouse, where students and instructors will review video and have chalk talks, after sailing games and debriefs.

Tuition fees will be competitive. The budget draft includes a number of scholarships for students whose families may not be able to meet the tuition fees.

Rahn invites all CYC members and interested friends to get involved with our new program via email atcommodore@cycseattle.org. CYC will be holding at least two organizational meetings for the junior program during the remaining months 2010. “We very much want the people who will be running this program to include the parents whose kids are in the program,” Rahn said.

He said CYC is particularly thankful for the generous contribution of ideas and expertise made by staff and individual members of Sail Newport, the St. Francis Yacht Club, The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, The New York Yacht Club, Oakcliff Sailing Center and Cedar Point Yacht Club.

Tax-deductible donations to the program are being accepted now. Write your check to The Sailing Foundation. Make sure you note on your check that the donation is for the Corinthian Yacht Club (CYC) Junior Fleet Expansion Program. Send it to the CYC office: