Our Values​:

• Safety - All activities emphasize our commitment to safe boating practices while teaching the essential elements of sailboat handling, water safety skills and respect for changing weather conditions.
• Fun - we strive to create a healthy, enjoyable learning experience for all students during their introduction to sailing programs. Enjoyment breeds enthusiasm and enthusiasm inspires learning.
• Education - Our core purpose is teaching the fundamentals of sailing. We provide quality direction, coaching and low-cost instruction in small sailboats on Lemon Bay, while at the same time recognizing and emphasizing responsibility aa stewards of the environment. 
• Environment - We understand our role in protecting our environment and teaching our youth students the importance of environmental respect. One morning at each our summer camps is dedicated to teaching the kids about the Lemon Bay environment. Kids gather samples from the enormous marine variety in the bay and learn more about the purpose of each species and why it is important to nurture and protect our marine environment.
• Teamwork - Our team of diverse adult volunteers and student coaches deliver meaningful sailing instruction afloat and ashore with emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, open communication, respect and cooperation. Student coaches help novice sailors in the learning process.
• Leadership - Our efforts in a positive environment are meant to inspire those under instruction to learn more, do more and become more confident as sailors. Knowledge and enthusiasm build self-confidence as sailing skills improve and mutual respect grows.

We see sailing as a great opportunity for kids to learn meaningful skills–skills that will last a lifetime - both as sailors and learning to lead and coach others.

Click here for the flipbook version of "The First Ten Years," a book by our founder Warren H. Spear.

Or click below to download a PDF version

warren_spear_2020_pdf.pdf
File Size:	771 kb
File Type:	pdf

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History
Englewood Sailing Association, Inc. is a spin-off from the Lemon Bay Rag Haulers, a sailing and social organization, founded in 1990. The Rag Haulers started a very successful Youth Sailing Program in the Spring of 2002. In cooperation with the Englewood YMCA, thirty-four volunteers worked with nineteen youngsters in a four week program. The program included boating safety and hands on sailing. On completion of the program, it was obvious that it had provided a very positive experience for the youth and that it deserved continuance and expansion. It was decided by the membership of the Rag Haulers that the demands of such a program were beyond the scope of their organization.
The Englewood Sailing Association, Inc. was then formed by Warren Spear as a non-profit corporation for the purpose of providing sailing instruction for the youth of Englewood. He found small boats for the instruction and was able to raise $10,000 in one week to launch the sailing association. 

We've grown a great deal since those days when boats (sail boats and safety boats) had to be transported a great distance for each class. 

In 2011, Sarasota County agreed to leasing us the property at Indian Mound Park which provided an ideal environment to teach sailing directly from the shore. Our team of volunteers fenced in a large area, built boat storage racks and a shed for sails, life jackets and other needed equipment.

In 2012, Mr. Spear put an interesting story of the first 10 years in book form. Click on the side to learn more about our humble beginning.