ALL ABOARD!

The Philip Simmons High School sailing team is ready to make some waves as they embark on their second season. After launching in the spring of 2022 with just two students, the team has grown to a current roster of 10 and is off to a busy start in the new school year. 

 

“The kids make this team special – hands down!” said team coach Shane Sablotsky. “With the exception of one child, not one kid knew anything about competitive sailing when they chose to join the team. They were willing to step out of their comfort zones and try something new and very different from traditional high school athletics.”

 

Everyone is on board when it comes to the team’s efforts, whether that’s taking part in weekly practices at the Daniel Island Yacht Club or competing in regattas locally and across the South. But they are also “all in” on a new fundraising campaign that they hope will bring in critical financial support to help keep the team’s operations afloat this academic year. The team is looking to generate between $12,000 and $15,000 through a 50/50 raffle that launched in September, as well as other fundraising efforts scheduled this year.

 

“The funds raised will directly support keeping the kids on the water by enabling us to partner with Daniel Island Yacht Club (DIYC) for access to their boats and waterfront facility,” added Sablotsky. “The funding also helps pay for regatta fees. If the opportunity exists, we would love to bring in local professional sailors to assist in coaching the team.”

 

To support the raffle, visit bit.ly/46mHdF3. The drawing will be held on Oct. 20, during the Iron Horses’ home football game that evening. 

 

“Seventy-five percent of our budget directly supports training, with the remainder covering Interscholastic Sailing Association and regatta fees,” continued Sablotsky. “We do not have funding set aside to replace or maintain team on-water uniforms or help equip students new to the sport with the proper safety equipment and all-weather sailing gear.” 

 

Already, the PSHS sailing team has a full schedule of activities ahead of them this season. They competed in a regatta in North Carolina on Sept. 29 and will head back to the Tar Heel State for a race on Lake Jordan on Oct. 21, followed by a regatta on Lake Lanier, Georgia, on Nov. 18. Coach Sablotsky is confident the experiences they share both on and off the water will make them all winners in the end. 

 

“High school sailing is a fun, inclusive way for high school students to be able to enjoy the wind and water while representing their school in competition at the district and national level,” he said. “Sailing is a co-ed sport, is physically and mentally challenging, and provides a desirable environment, which fosters friendships and encourages diverse membership.”

 

But there are other important benefits as well, continued Sablotsky. 

 

“The science behind sailing aligns with the PSHS STEM curriculum and gives them the opportunity to compete inter-scholastically,” he said. “PSHS has the only sailing team in the Berkeley County School District and exists largely due to incredible support from the school’s administrative team. We can’t thank them enough!”

 

For additional information on the PSHS sailing team, email Sablotsky at sablotskys@gmail.com.