2021 Jr. Sailor of The Year

Each year since 1994, the WRYC Board of Directors has presented an award to the Junior Sailor that best exemplifies not only sailing skill & character on the water but is an example of these traits on shore. With three full Jr. Sailing sessions and several young sailors participating in the Regattas that were held in 2021, there was a sizable pool of young sailors from which to choose. However, one experienced sailor who was enrolled in our Jr. Sailing Camp stood out for several reasons:

• She showed a genuine love of passing along her knowledge of sailing to new sailors - both on land and on boat - by asking different beginning sailors to crew for her.

• She planned to race in the Jr. Division of the Governor’s Cup and could have asked any number of experience sailors to join her. However, she heard about a novice sailor who was extremely eager to participate in the regatta but who lacked the skills to captain his own boat. So she asked this young man to join her and they sailed together finishing just outside of the top 3 spots.

This kind of character is what we love to see, not only in the sport of sailing but in life itself.

The Ware River Yacht Club presented the 2021 Junior Sailor of the Year award to Naomi D. at the Annual Meeting on February 12th. . Best of all, Naomi and her entire family came down from Purcellville, VA for her award presentation.