Congratulations to the hardworking volunteers at Eugene Yacht Club that worked to build the new junior sailing dock! In partnership with OYSF, EYC raised nearly $60,000 to move the junior sailing dock into the deeper waters of Fern Ridge Reservoir and significantly extend their sailing season. Because we raised more than planned, the club’s next steps are replacing their aging fleet of Zumas, creating youth sailing scholarships, supporting a youth sailing team, and hiring additional staff to increase opportunities in their area for young sailors. OYSF is proud to be partnering with EYC to support youth sailing in the Southern Willamette Valley.
Before this work, the youth docks were moored in approximately 4 feet of water near the Youth Sailing Center. By July each year, the water level prevented youth sailors from launching or returning with their centerboards down. By August, they could no longer launch or return with their rudders down. Instead, the boats had to be launched and pulled around the old fixed dock to the nearby floating dock where they were tied up and rigged. That was a distance of at least 75 feet.
The new youth dock consists of 140 feet of floating dock secured by six new pilings. The old youth docks were relocated approximately 60 feet north into deeper water where they are now accessible all summer long. In addition to deeper water, the new location allows youth sailors to approach the dock from three different directions depending on the wind conditions.
Immense thank yous to all of the donors! Your gifts enabled EYC to construct a safe and efficient dock that supports not only youth sailors from EYC, but also the Sea Scouts, the Oregon State and University of Oregon collegiate sailing teams, and the City of Eugene Parks and Recreation Sailing Program.
Hard at work
