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An update to the SCYCSA Community as of October 6, 2026
This is to update you on all the fun we have had, let you know what is yet to come, and express our gratitude for your contributions and support!
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SCYCSA: Strengthening Sailing for St. Croix
Less than a year ago, the St. Croix Yacht Club Sailing Association (SCYCSA) launched as a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to expanding sailing education and amateur sailing across the island. As a tax‑exempt organization, the SCYCSA can accept donations, sponsorships, grants, and program revenue that the Club, as a 501(c)(7), cannot. This allows the Association to fund instructors, a program director, and essential program costs that previously relied on member dues, benefiting both sailors and the broader Club community.
The SCYCSA enhances the Club’s long‑term vitality by offering sailing instruction, community outreach, and access to the water for residents who may never have sailed. It nurtures seamanship, safety, and the next generation of sailors while reinforcing the Club’s role as a steward of maritime tradition. In doing so, it deepens the Club’s educational mission and keeps the joy of sailing accessible and central to our legacy.
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Welcome Our New Sailing Director
In June, we welcomed Claire Miller as SCYCSA’s Sailing Director and Lead Instructor. Claire has six years of experience designing and leading programs at Brigantine and Ocean City Yacht Clubs, along with US Sailing Level 1, 2 & 3 and STEM certifications. She has coached sailors from beginners to advanced racers and previously served as Recreational Sailing Director and President/Commodore of the University of Virginia Sailing Team.
Joining Claire this summer was Joshua “JJ” Knowles, serving summer Head Instructor. JJ has coached at Carolina Yacht Club, Florida Yacht Club. He sailed with the Antilles High School team under Thomas Barrows and for Jacksonville University. A Level 1 certified instructor, he has raced C420s, FJs, and keelboats.
We are equally grateful for our on‑island instructors and assistants, Aldamar Rodulfo, David Hardestey, AJ Mauro, Max Dale and Parker Nagle—all of whom hold US Sailing Level 1 certifications—and to Atlas Kaough, our junior volunteer.
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Summer Sailing Program: June 15th to August 7th
The SCYCSA Summer Sailing Program launched June 15th with four two‑week sessions concluding on August 7th. It was open to the public, ages 6–18. Because of the ages, weights and experience of the sailors, most of the sailors perfected their skills in the Optimist class. There was also 420, Hobie, keelboat and other dinghy sailing experiences offered during Adventure sailing classes and on field trips to Smugglers Cove and Cramer’s Park. The program was set up for both recreational and competitive sailors. It was an overwhelming success, with over 70 sailors throughout the four sessions. All our instructors and assistants held their US Sailing Level 1 Certificates. The progress of the sailors in the program was measured not only by the smiles on their faces, but the impressive demonstrations performed the last Friday of every session—even the Sea Squirts learned to sail!
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Setting Sail at Kidsville
Future sailors got a taste of life on the water when SCYCSA joined this year’s Kidsville Olympic Day celebration on June 28th at the Children’s Museum of St. Croix!
Organized by West Gyul in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and the Children’s Museum, the special Kidsville event brought families together for an afternoon celebrating sportsmanship, teamwork, healthy living, and the proud Olympic legacy of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
SCYCSA junior sailors brought a little bit of the sea to the festivities with plenty of hands-on fun. Young visitors tried their hand at a knot-tying station and even climbed aboard an Optimist pram and Sunfish, where imaginations took over as future sailors grabbed the tiller and pictured themselves heading out across the Caribbean!
But the afternoon was about more than pretending to sail.
SCYCSA’s mission is to cultivate a lifelong love of sailing and stewardship of the sea by creating inclusive, educational maritime experiences for the St. Croix community. Kidsville provided a wonderful opportunity to introduce more families to the sport and share information about SCYCSA’s summer and year-round Learn to Sail programs and scholarship opportunities.
Living on an island means the sea is part of our backyard—and programs like these help give young people the skills, confidence, knowledge, and opportunity to experience it in an entirely new way.
It was a wonderful day of community, connection, learning, and fun—and perhaps the beginning of a sailing adventure for some of St. Croix’s youngest mariners!
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Charting New Courses: SCYCSA Goes Back to School
The start of a new school year is all about new opportunities, new experiences, and discovering where learning can take you—and sometimes, it can take you right out onto the water!
The St. Croix Yacht Club Sailing Association (SCYCSA) was excited to join the community for the VIDE 2nd Annual Back-to-School Jamboree & Food Truck Festival on Saturday, August 1, at the St. Croix Educational Complex.
The day brought together PreK–12 students and families from across St. Croix for a celebration filled with educational and community resources, interactive activities, music, games, performances, giveaways, local food, and opportunities to connect with organizations serving our island’s young people.
For SCYCSA, it was another wonderful opportunity to introduce families to a different kind of classroom—the Caribbean Sea!
As a newly formed nonprofit organization, SCYCSA is committed to expanding opportunities for the youth of St. Croix to experience and learn the sport of sailing. Throughout the day, our team connected with students and parents, shared information about our sailing programs, and introduced families to the many lessons young people can learn when they step aboard a sailboat.
Because learning to sail is about much more than learning how to catch the wind.
Young sailors develop teamwork, leadership, confidence, independence, problem-solving, responsibility, perseverance, and respect for the marine environment. They learn to make decisions, work together, care for their equipment, understand the weather and water around them, and become responsible stewards of the sea that surrounds our island home.
Events like the Back-to-School Jamboree help us bring those opportunities directly to families, build new community connections, and let more young people know that sailing can be for them, too.
Thank you to the Virgin Islands Department of Education and all of the organizers, exhibitors, volunteers, and community partners who created such a welcoming and energetic day for St. Croix families.
We loved meeting so many future sailors and sharing the possibilities waiting just beyond the shoreline.
New school year. New skills. New adventures. Let’s set sail!
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What's to Come?
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Fall Sailing Programs
On September 15th, we launched the first seven-week session of the fall program, with our Youth Sailing Team in c420’s (7th grade and up), Beginner Optimists (ages 6 and up) and the Optimist Intermediate/Advanced (ages 7 and up.) Classes are held Tuesday through Saturday. Claire, Alda and David have been coaching the 15 sailors enrolled, and plans are being made to provide coaching, not only during our scheduled program times, but also over regattas, both on and off island. Look for the announcement ofthe second seven-week session of the fall program which starts on November 3, 2026.
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Off Island Team Program to Attract Off Island Guest Coaches
We are excited to announce our promotion for off island teams to train in paradise, right here in Teague Bay. Partnering with colleges and other off island sailing teams will offer our youth sailors the opportunity to not only meet, but also train with stateside coaches and other sailors!
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A Strong Start to an Exciting Year
The SCYCSA has enjoyed an energetic launch, bringing our community together through a series of successful events. We began with the January 31st Campaign Kick‑off Reception, followed by the First Annual Progressive Dinner on March 28th, and capped the spring with the inaugural “Charting the Course” Auction on April 11th.
On June 20th,we held a Meet and Greet to introduce Claire to the SCYC community. These gatherings strengthened community ties and raised essential funds for programs, scholarships, and equipment. The dedication of our volunteers and the participation of many SCYC members and non members, made these events a huge success. Thanks so much for helping to support our mission
More events are on the horizon including the Low Country Boil on November 21st, the Founders’ Recognition Dinner on December 5th, the Progressive Dinner on January 23rd, and the auction on March 20th.
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Gratitude & Growth
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We extend heartfelt thanks to the Founders of the SCYCSA, each contributing a minimum of $5,000 and collectively over $100,000. Their generosity laid the foundation for the Association’s early success. We are also grateful to those Club members and non‑members who donated to support our mission, and to the many businesses and individuals who donated auction items, helping generate more than $50,000.
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Sailing Program Scholarships
Thanks to the Ron Sarver Fair Winds Sailing Scholarship and to other generous donors, including those who donated to the Joe SanMartin Sailing Scholarship, we were able to offer scholarships throughout all four sessions of the summer program to sailors ages 6-14 and will continue to offer scholarships throughout the fall, winter and spring programs!
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Thank you for your continued support of our organization and please feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback, we always love to hear from you, and we look forward to seeing you on the water!
Fair winds,
St. Croix Yacht Club Sailing Association (SCYCSA)
sailing@scycsa.org
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