The Vineyard Cup was established in 2006 as a fundraising event to benefit Sail Martha’s Vineyard.
Since its founding in 1992, Sail Martha’s Vineyard has focused on preserving and protecting the maritime history, culture and skills of Martha’s Vineyard through its many programs with over 600 Island children and 500 adults participating each year.
Our summer learn-to-sail program is designed to teach children to sail, not to race. That said, for the small percentage of kids who want to race, we are all over them with great equipment, great coaching and great support. This strategy has worked well for us; proof being that the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School sailing team that we equip, coach and support was ranked as the No. 1 public high school team in New England in 2015. During the summer months we also have a very active and fast growing adult program which attracts novice sailors to those who desire coastal cruising instruction and experience.
At the entry level all of our students are taught rowing and basic seamanship skills as part of their sailing curriculum. Each program emphasizes safety at both the children’s and adult levels. Our base of program operations is out of our Boathouse on the Lagoon to the south of Vineyard Haven harbor. This is an ideal body of water for instruction as there is minimal marine traffic, sheltered water with clear air and sandy beaches from which to work.
In 2007 Sail MV developed the first Maritime Sciences curriculum to be taught at a Massachusetts high school. This program now reaches over 100 students each year and seeks to provide both academic and vocational support for students interested in the marine colleges or marine industry.
We also teach USCG Masters Licensing courses and are a certified testing center for the Coast Guard. In the early spring we offer continuing education courses in Coastal Navigation, marine diesel maintenance and repair and a coxswain’s course for our rowers.
Sail Martha’s Vineyard is truly a grass roots organization with much of its funding coming from its membership and small local foundations. To assure access, all of our children’s introductory programs are made available at no cost, save an annual $50 membership fee.
Thank you for supporting Sail Martha’s Vineyard in this its 25th year. We are appreciative and hope you have a great weekend.
Brock Callen, Director
Vineyard Cup 2015 from Windy Films on Vimeo.