Next Tack Community Regatta sees teen sailors mentor autistic youth

SARASOTA — Spectrum Sailing and Sarasota Youth Sailing hosted the inaugural Next Tack Community Regatta this past Saturday at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. The event brought sailors from the community together to celebrate the conclusion of the Next Tack peer mentorship sailing program for autistic youth.

Next Tack is an eight-week advanced sailing and racing program that pairs autistic youth with high school sailors from Sarasota Youth Sailing. Throughout the program, participants meet weekly at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron to refine sailing skills, practice racing techniques, and build confidence on the water.

“Over the past eight weeks, we’ve seen incredible growth from our sailors both on and off the water,” said Scott Herman, Founder and Executive Director of Spectrum Sailing. “One of the things that makes Next Tack so unique is the role of high school sailors as peer mentors alongside our participants. These partnerships have built genuine friendships and show what inclusive sailing looks like.”

Spectrum Sailing is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing inclusive sailing opportunites for autistic youth. The organization’s primary programs are free three-day sailing camps hosted across the United States, introducing autistic youth to sailing in a supportive learning environment. To learn more or support this mission, please visit www.spectrumsailing.org. CONTACT: Samantha Hope at samantha@spectrumsailing.org