New York, New York: A sailing summer for Manhattan

9:02 PM Thu 22 Apr 2010 GMT

'Sailing in New York' .

New York, New York.

You think of Manhattan - forests of buildings, great restaurants, Statue of Liberty, amazing nightlife, Broadway, off-Broadway, the UN, the 24/7 buzz of the snazziest city in the world - you don't think much about sailing...

...but something HUGE is happening at the Manhattan Sailing School this summer.

Maybe it's thanks to the Crazy Low Price promotion, but there has already been a record sign up. New Yorkers are taking to sailing lessons in droves. Already, courses are sold out through May. And the school has added more boats, now teaching up to 17 boats and 68 students every weekend.

This is a record setting volume, never achieved in the history of the school! Sailing is the hot sport this summer, so find out more at www.sailmanhattan.com

However, it's not all about student sailors - there is a lot else going on.

Blessing of the Fleet - .. .

There's the Blessing of the Fleet, Friday evening, June 4. This is a time-honored maritime tradition and all boat owners in the harbor are encouraged to participate. If you are anywhere near New York at the beginning of June, it will be a spectacle not to be missed.

Each spring, all boats in the harbor are encouraged to take to the water in a display of recreation. This is called 'Opening Day in NY Harbor.' It will by Sat. June 5, the day after the Blessing of the Fleet. This event is organized by the NY Harbor Sailing Foundation.

Volunteer Fleet Captains are needed for each marina in and around the harbor, and local volunteers can register as a Fleet Captain at www.nyharborsailing.com

Let's not forget the kids. Operation Optimist is the great summer sailing camp for kids 8 to 13. One week has already sold out and 2 more are close to selling out, and new sailing programs have also just been announced for teenagers.

Yes it's all happening in New York for sailors and would-be sailors this summer.

There's more information about any of these activities at www.sailmanhattan.com

by Lisa Mylchreest