It all began 14 years ago - Sail22 Update

It’s hard to believe that Sail22 is now celebrating 14 years in business. It’s also doesn’t feel right to say celebrating or business as it has been a tough couple years on both people and it’s hard to call what we do work. Sail22 is all about people. We have worked with so many that have been friends, clients, co-workers, industry partners and many more. At the end of the day we have been able to change, morph, bob and weave, whatever you want to call it. We do what is needed to make sailing more accessible, easier to do and keep people on the water doing what we all love.

This last year has been both challenging and emotional. We have run many events to fill in for cancelled ones, helped with regattas to make sure they happen, I have even become a PRO in many of them, a Bot operator and then some. We do what it takes to allow others to have fun. And do even more to get new people into the sport. We haven’t done it alone. We have also lost too many friends and industry partners. Last year we had plenty of time to think about our Anniversary and tried to do something special for our clients.

This year is different. We once again are thinking ahead at how we need to change again. Or maybe we don’t? That is the big question. But we are also thinking about how we can fill another void in the sailing world. Who picks up the slack. Can we even do it? Maybe it’s not our turn. Who knows. That’s the question. As I was thinking about this earlier today I got a call from one of my best friends. Someone who I have been thinking about calling but didn’t want to bother them with another conversation about why we lost another great person in our community. Nothing was solved but what was once again conversed was the fact that there are few people that are a day away that understand when it is needed they will do anything. And that is huge. I needed that.

So we look ahead at another year doing what we love. We try to put it all in perspective. We hope no more cancellations but we also know that the next Boat Show, Regatta or clinic will be different. They will be missing someone very important that made it run much smoother. We hope we are up for the task. And I might have to take a break and ask for advice. But know that we will be here trying to do our best and make this a better world because of who was here before.

Tonight instead of celebrating Sail22, I will celebrate those we have lost. Especially Luiz, Geoff, David and Mark. Fair winds and following seas. Until we meet again.

Melges 15’s.