Buffalo Rising Online

Sep 27th 2007, 11:19am By queenseyes

The Ship Ahoy Sailing School (contracted partner with the Maritime Charter School) is looking for a small chunk of the Outer Harbor to build a 2000 sq.' classroom building with access to the water. You would think that the request would not be a difficult one to comply with, though they are still waiting to hear from groups like the NFTA that own the land. It is the goal of the Ship Ahoy Sailing School to teach a portion of the Inner City youth how to sail, as well how to appreciate living in a city on a lake.

ASA Captain Pierre Wallinder (photo) is a part time sailing coach who understands that Lake Erie is an asset that should be shared by all members of the community. "We take the kids out a couple times a week and show them the ropes," he told me. "It's a shame that we can't find a home on the water (2-acres) to build a waterfront classroom. We have the ability to raise the money for the building... it's finding the land that has presented a problem. We want to have three to four boats in the water next year, and the Coast Guard has been fantastic by allowing us to keep an out-of-water boat or two over by the lighthouse. Our motto is "Off the street and on the water"... it's a public sailing camp that teaches leadership and life principles. Our future program would be an all inclusive day camp, open to all. Also, our goal for next year is four boats in the water, currently we are out five days a week, weather and wind permitting, and the cadets just love it!"

Pierre is currently keeping the school's one operational sailing vessel at the NFTA Small Boat Harbor, and he is also keeping his fingers crossed that when land becomes available there will be room for his program and his students at the Outer Harbor. Pierre told me that the cadets talk about the program all winter long and look forward to getting back out onto the water. "The New York Harbor School is very similar in its scope," Pierre concluded. "They are moving their entire school to Governors Island... an entire school dedicated to this same concept. It's a huge success story and I've talked to them several times about what they are doing. We want to do that here in Buffalo."