Summer Sailing Ends with Cookout and Awards

There were hot dogs, burgers, drinks and cookies, as well as awards handed out to the participants in this summer’s sailing program put on by the .

The cookout was hosted by members of the .

“Great job by the kids, it was a great summer, we only lost two days all season because of the weather, the kids were great, the instructors were great, just an excellent sailing season,” sailing director Mike Campbell said.

2011 was Campbell’s first season as director of the sailing program.

One person who has spent more than one summer with young Swampscott sailors is Katie Kimball, the director of the adult sailing programs in town.

Kimball has been with the sailing program for the past eight summers, and will be moving on after graduating from Suffolk University this past spring.

“It’s a little sad, I’m going to miss it for sure, it’s the greatest summer job anybody could have," Kimball said.  “It’s so rewarding to see kids that started out as beginners when I first started, now working as instructors and C. I. T.’s (counselors in training).”

The most poignant part of the evening was when Taylor Irwin received the Award, given out for best performance during the summer sailing races.

Harris, a Marine Corps helicopter pilot from Swampscott, was killed in Iraq on February 7, 2007. She was serving on her third tour when her helicopter went down, seven miles northwest of Baghdad.

Harris was an avid sailor, and she was also an instructor in the Swampscott sailing program.

Her dad Ray Harris, and her good friend Anne O’Brien presented the award to Irwin Friday night.

“Jen would have loved this, she loved sailing and she loved people,” her father Ray said. “She loved the sea, she loved being on a boat and she really loved Swampscott, I come every year to see this award handed out.”

Irwin also picked up the Francis Cassidy award for winning the summer regatta; she shared the trophy with Jacqueline Strauss.

The Bernard Cross award for best display of sailing sportsmanship was given out to sailor Jack Dennehy.

“Just a great end to a super sailing season, and a special thank you to the Swampscott Yacht Club for putting on this cook-out for us,” Driscoll said.

Also picking up awards at Friday night’s banquet were; Lars Purcell, Hesley Munitiu, Caitlyn Rogers, Mackenzie Carroll, Chloe Howe, Mia Chung-Lewis, Ben Connor, Nate Ryan, Emma Bouchard, Nelson Kunst, Riain Flynn and Maxim Heymann.

Summer sailing T-shirts for 2011 are available for purchase through the recreation commission.