Marco Island youth sailing camp grows as kids learn confidence on the water

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. (WINK) — A youth sailing program on Marco Island is catching wind.

The Marco Island Youth Sailing Club has grown from about 80 kids to around 200 this summer, as more young sailors spend their break learning how to rig boats, catch the wind, and get comfortable on the water.

Sailing director Caroline Hugo took over the program in 2024 and has worked to grow it by adding new classes, hiring young instructors, and focusing on introducing more kids to the sport.

“They’re learning the basics of sailing, how to rig the boat,” Hugo said. “Not only are they learning how to sail, but they’re also learning stuff like independence, problem solving, you know, how to work as a team.”

The camp serves kids as young as 4 and teaches everything from knots and safety to capsizing drills and sailing on their own. Hugo also added an Ocean Explorers class this year, giving kids a chance to learn about marine life while kayaking, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing.

Hugo said the growth shows there is demand for sailing on Marco Island, both for kids and adults.

“I feel like I’ve brought a lot of Eastern Shore knowledge down here,” Hugo said. “Sailing is not that big in Marco Island, and there’s definitely demand for it.”

That growth is also being fueled by young counselors who grew up on the water.

Ava Richardson, a camp counselor, started sailing in the same beginner boats when she was 7 years old. Ten summers later, she is helping teach the next group of young sailors.

“It’s a sport that I’d say is a lot more unique than other sports,” Richardson said. “Obviously, yes, it’s kind of physical as well, but it’s a lot more strategic.”

Charlotte Hugo, Caroline’s sister, came down to Marco Island to help build the program after growing up sailing in Annapolis, Maryland.

“We’ve had salt water in our veins,” Charlotte Hugo said. “We were raised on the water.”

The Marco Island Youth Sailing Club is a nonprofit arm of the Marco Island Yacht Club. Through donations, the club helps sponsor young sailors who want the chance to learn and get out on the water.