The New Village School Sailing Club
Feb 16, 2026 | by The NVS Sailing Club
As a school quite literally right by the Bay, The New Village School has always felt a deep responsibility to help our students cultivate a living relationship with the sea and surrounding bodies of water. Whether through Classroom Without Walls kayaking trips on the Petaluma River, partnerships with Call of the Sea sailing the Matthew Turner, or even building our own dinghies during Covid, the bay has long been one of our teachers.
It is no surprise that our school attracts parents and teachers who love to sail. We are thrilled to share that last fall a dedicated group of experienced sailing parents has officially launched The New Village School Sailing Club.
From cleaning and restoring our older boats over the summer, to planning logistics, to coaching our children week after week, this has been a true village effort. We are deeply grateful for the generosity, time, and seamanship that have made this possible.
Club Overview
What
Students learn to sail on Optimist “Opti” boats which are small single-handed sailing dinghies designed specifically for young sailors.
When
Mondays
3:45pm to 6:30pm
Wind and weather permitting
Where
Dunphy Park, Sausalito
Who
3rd through 8th grade NVS students with basic swimming ability and a willingness to get in the water.
A Remarkable Coaching Team
Together, our four coaches bring a lifetime of seamanship, adventure, and mentorship to the water.
Captain Heather Richard, a college national champion and longtime live-aboard sailor on San Francisco Bay, has spent decades captaining tall ships, offshore racers, and charter vessels while raising her family at sea and supporting the local maritime community.
Her son, Captain Julius Glasgow, carries that legacy forward as an oceanography student at Cal Maritime, a US Sailing Level One Coach, and an accomplished offshore sailor who has raced to Hawaii and sailed the Pacific coast from Washington to Mexico.
Coach Al Spector, founder of Marin Sailing School, brings decades of racing and cruising experience along with a deep commitment to accessibility. He has coached Team USA at multiple World Blind Sailing Championships and believes deeply that sailing belongs to everyone.
Coach Megan Karpa Kelly-Sweeney, a Sausalito native, grew up racing Lasers and one-design dinghies and has spent years teaching and coaching sailors of all ages.
Together, they offer our students not only technical skill and safety, but a profound love of the sea and a spirit of adventure rooted in the rich sailing culture of our Bay.
We also want to recognize Robin Ayers-Lee for her steady coordination behind the scenes, and the many other parents who have helped bring this club to life. This is village life in action.
Reflections from Our Families
Below are reflections from parents whose children are experiencing sailing for the first time through our club.
“Sailing with the NVS club has been such a wonderful experience. Ruby joined as a complete novice, and although she had some first-day jitters, she felt welcome by the coaches and kids, and she caught up right away. Every day on the water taught something new: patience and resourcefulness when there's no wind, focus and endurance when it picked up. Towards the end of the fall season, Ruby had the unique experience of capsizing. She kept her cool, and came up smiling, proud to say she felt like an ‘official sailor!’ After the event, all the young sailors circled up and shared what they learned. The moment perfectly encapsulated the whole experience — Ruby’s growing confidence, trust in the process and her coaches, and a real sense of camaraderie among the kids. We are so lucky to have this unique opportunity right here in our community. Can’t wait to get back at it!”
— Darcy French-Myerson (4th Grade and Kindergarten parent)
“Sailing Club has been an unexpected highlight of our experience at New Village. Watching Tupelo learn to navigate a boat and grow more confident on the water has been such an enriching experience for us. Sailing has given her a sense of independence, confidence, and joy that extends well beyond the Bay. It’s truly the highlight of her week; she can’t wait to get out on the water and put her skills to use. As a parent, there’s nothing quite like seeing your child hop in a boat and experience nature in a way that feels both grounding and expansive. We’re deeply grateful to Al, Coach Heather, Robin, and everyone who makes this incredible program possible and gives our kids such a unique opportunity.”
— Kim Larson (4th Grade and Preschool parent)
