Blacktie Beat: Making Waves at Fun-Filled Spirit of Sailing Gala

I’m off to California today, so it’s appropriate to share with you Blacktie’s coverage of last weekend’s “Spirit of Sailing Gala.” All the party pictures are here. — Penny Parker.

Gala chair Chris Oertel (left) talks with Community Sailing of Colorado’s executive director, Brandon Kaas.

By Lisa Perry
Blacktie-Colorado

On a red-sky night, the 13th annual Spirit of Sailing Gala was indeed a sailor’s delight—so entertaining that any landlubber would consider learning the ropes. Everything was shipshape at the Denver Athletic Club on Saturday, April 28, as around 200 enthusiastic supporters of Community Sailing of Colorado were on board for a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, roshe run hyp femmes dinner program and dancing. Money raised was earmarked for equipment and scholarships in conjunction with CSC’s junior- and adaptive-sailing programs. Ardent supporters Sarah and Chris Riopelle were honored as recipients of this year’s coveted “Sprit of Sailing” award.

Amiable emcee and CBS4 meteorologist Dave Aguilera was at the helm for the dinner program that featured a welcome by Community Sailing’s executive director, Brandon Kaas, and event chair Chris Oertel. Tom Ehman, longtime yachting veteran and America’s Cup Campaign rep from Golden Gate Yacht Club (defender of the Cup), showed video footage highlighting racing maneuvers and triumphs that had the crowd riveted. He called sailing an “elite sport—without being elitist,” and talked about the positive core values and education gained by learning to sail. Ehman also previewed the 34th America’s Cup races to be held in San Francisco in 2013.

Community Sailing of Colorado was developed as a registered nonprofit by Steven Frank in 1995 on Standley Lake in Westminster to address the need for a well-organized program to promote and educate kids in the Denver area through sailing. Its mission: “Provide a place, the means and the knowledge for youth to learn and refine the skill and art of sailing in a safe, controlled and fun environment.” The vision remains to motivate youngsters ages 5 to 17 toward reaching their full potential in life, using sailing as a tool, while taking advantage of its inherent qualities to encourage positive growth, self-esteem and behavior.

CSC operates a youth summer sailing program and camp inside the Cherry Creek Marina & Yacht Club, hosts weeklong and two-week “Learn To Sail” camps, plus intermediate and advanced camps, adult classes and a summer drop-In sailing program that allows access to sailing after students learn the basics. Around 200 youngsters participate each year.

The Spirit of Sailing Gala is the group’s largest fundraiser, says CSC Executive Director Brandon Kaas. He admits that Colorado might not be a recognized hotspot for sailing, but cites numerous positive attributes gained by kids who learn to sail: self-confidence, safety, communication, planning, thoughtful decision-making, self-dependence, dependence on crew, roshe run hyp qs trust and other skills that carry on into adult life. The Spirit of Sailing Gala generates $70,000 toward scholarships and sliding-scale fees for those who otherwise might not be able to attend a sailing camp, plus equipment for junior sailing and CSC’s adaptive program. For more information, please visit: www.CommunitySailing.org.