He is a Charleston Community sailing board member and longtime avid sailor.

This is a positive step in moving  towards finalizing a suitable location for a sailing facility that caters to our young folks.

Councilman Gary Santos and others have support the proposal to secure a town run sailing program for youth.

However a suitable location has not been determined as of yet. The Waterfront Park was the site of the original proposal, however concerns have been voiced that this might not be the safest area for such a venue due to tides and currents.

Santos then proposed constructing a facility and pier at Alhambra Hall but local residents of the Old Village vehemently opposed this idea at a public comment meeting held earlier this year.

Santos and Martschink then proposed this sub-committee so that an intelligent, informed proposition could be made and further studied by the full town council.

The group of individuals chosen to sit on this committee are seasoned sailors and industry professionals who can put emotion aside and look seriously at the feasibility of such a program, how it should be run and where it should be located.

And while there are many in the community that want to see something right now, that’s not possible considering the economic woes the town faces in the next budget year and the dwindling parcels of waterfront property left in Mount Pleasant.

Thanks for your commitment

John Bonds, is a retired navy captain and former executive director of US Sailing Association.

He agreed to serve so that he could provide insight into what it takes to start and run a community sailing program.

“I am a great believer in community sailing and I know what works and I am happy to help in any way I can,” he said.

He considers himself more of a value or a resource than  one with creative thinking and will urge the committee to  think big enough to meet Mount Pleasant’s sailing needs and potential and to take care of the whole program as it grows.

Trip Fellabom is a local sailmaker and sailing event organizer. Since 1977, UK-HalseySailmakers Charleston has been under his leadership.

He’s been sailing since he was knee high and has been instrumental in bringing many major races here as well as the Wednesday night race series.

His interest in serving on this committee is to ensure that community sailing survives.

“We’re doin a good job in providing racing opportunities but a terrible job in recreational sailing,” he said.

He’s also interested in finding an avenue for adults to participate in sailing.

John Cameron is a retired Coast Guard Commander, and former captain of the port. He also serves as director of the Hobcaw Yacht Club’s youth  sailing program.

He suggested and helped determine that the Waterfront Park may not be suitable for youth sailing due to the dangers of the tides and current there. His knowledge of the Charleston waterways is extensive.

Randy Draftz, Owner of Charleston Yachting a sailing outfitter is the current Commodore of the Charleston Ocean Racing Association. Randy Draftz has been in the marine business for over twenty five years and is one of a lucky few that has made his passion for sailing into his profession. He has raced aboard everything from Maxi’s to Lehman 10s.

Crayton Walters is a harbor pilot and internationally known racing sailor who led the effort to bring E Scow Nationals to the Charleston area.

Tom O’Rourke is executive director of Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. The PRC hosts and facilitates many sailing programs.

Henry Thomas is a local sailing enthusiast and organizes youth and adult sailing opportunities at Hobcaw yacht Club.

Alice Manard the director of Sailing at the College of Charleston will also serve. Manard was a member of the U.S. Sailing Team from 1998 - 2001 and 2005 - 06. he sailed in the women’s 470 class, competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.  In 1999 she finished second at the U.S. Olympic 470 Trials.  As a member of the Olympic Team she organized fund raising events, collecting over $100,000 in corporate and individual donations.

Premier group

Mount Pleasant Gary Santos  put together what we think is probably the premier group of sailing enthusiasts that reaches every aspect of sailing. we hope they can really look at this situation and try and point town officials in the right direction.

Mayor Hallman has given the committee five months to report back with a recommendation. It is hoped that they an come back sooner than that to facilitate a speedy resolution.

Enough time has been lost.

With no set parameters, this group will be able to brainstorm using their professional wisdom and expelling the heated emotion that has wriggled its ugly head into this situation.

“We’ve got the best sailing minds working on this thing,” Gary Santos told us.  “I am excited and looking forward to hearing what they have to say.  I want it done right the first time and I think this group certainly is the group to do that.”

And so do we.

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