Volume 1 — Issue 4 — July, 2026

Rounding the Mark and
Cruising Into Week Six!

It’s hard to believe, but we’ve already sailed past the midpoint of our 2026 season!

As of press time, 207 campers have registered, with about a quarter of them opting to participate in more than one week. However, openings are still available during several of our remaining sessions. To accommodate continued interest, we have lifted our previous two-week registration limit. Campers may now enroll for as many additional weeks as they wish, provided space is available.

This summer, Sail Salem is proud to welcome campers not only from Salem but from 26 additional communities, reflecting the growing reputation of our program throughout the North Shore and beyond. While our mission remains firmly rooted in serving Salem’s youth, we are delighted that families from across the region continue to choose Sail Salem as a place where young people can develop sailing skills, build confidence, make lasting friendships, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the ocean.

There is nothing more rewarding than watching campers arrive on Monday a little uncertain and leave on Friday with new skills, greater confidence, new friendships, and big smiles. Whether they are steering an Opti for the very first time or racing a 420 around Salem Harbor, every day brings countless tacks and jibes, new challenges, and growing confidence on the water. Our instructors take great pride in watching each young sailor develop throughout the week.

Unlike last summer, the first half of the 2026 season has presented significantly more challenging weather. Stronger winds, periods of extreme heat, and more frequent thunderstorms and rain delays have tested both our campers and staff. Throughout it all, our instructors have adapted with professionalism, flexibility, and an unwavering commitment to safety, ensuring that every camper continues to enjoy a fun, rewarding, and memorable experience whenever conditions allow.

As we begin the second half of our season, we look forward to welcoming more young sailors, building new skills, creating lasting friendships, and sharing many more memorable days on Salem Harbor.

Keep scrolling below to meet some of our incredible instructors in this month’s instructor spotlight.

Meet Our Outstanding Instructors

Mya Buendia

Mya has been part of the Sail Salem community for nearly ten years and has gained all of her sailing experience through the program. She began as a camper, progressed to Counselor-in-Training (CIT), and is now serving her third summer as an instructor.

Having grown up at Sail Salem, she enjoys helping younger sailors build confidence, master new skills, and develop a lifelong love of sailing.

Through her years on the water, Mya has developed strong leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills while forming lasting friendships and a deep appreciation for Salem Harbor.

Outside of Sail Salem, Mya rides on her university’s equestrian team and continues to ride independently whenever she is home. She enjoys the unique challenges and rewards of both sailing and horseback riding and looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm and experience with the next generation of Sail Salem sailors.

Gemma Murphy

Gemma is a graduating senior from Salem High School, and she will attend Boston University this fall to study Graphic Design. Her creativity, enthusiasm, and strong sense of community have been shaped by years of involvement both in school and at Sail Salem.

She first joined Sail Salem as a camper ten years ago and developed a love for sailing and the waterfront. Over the years, she progressed through the program and became an instructor last summer. Having grown up at Sail Salem, she values the friendships, experiences, and opportunities the program has provided.

What she appreciates most about Sail Salem is the strong sense of community and the lessons it teaches about compassion, leadership, teamwork, and respect for others and the environment. As an instructor, she finds it especially rewarding to share those values while helping campers build confidence, learn new skills, and discover a love of sailing.

She is proud to be part of the Sail Salem family and looks forward to creating a fun, positive, and memorable experience for every camper on the water.

Sophie Gauthier

Sophie Gauthier attends Saint Mary’s High School in Lynn and has been active in athletics throughout her life. She has been swimming for more than 13 years, including competitive swimming, and has also participated in softball and soccer for many years. Through sports, she has developed strong teamwork, leadership, discipline, and a solid work ethic.

Sophie has been part of the Sail Salem family for nearly ten years. She began as a camper, advanced to Junior Instructor, and is now serving her second summer as an instructor. Having grown up in the program, she enjoys helping younger sailors gain confidence, learn new skills, and discover a lifelong appreciation for sailing.

What Sophie enjoys most about Sail Salem is watching campers’ excitement and sense of accomplishment as they learn to sail. She especially enjoys introducing children who have never been on the water to the fun, challenge, and adventure that sailing offers. She is committed to ensuring that every camper has a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience while building confidence both on and off the water.

Don’t Miss the Sail Salem Pursuit Regatta,
Hosted by the Boston Yacht Club

Held annually on Labor Day weekend, all net proceeds from this regatta go to support Sail Salem’s summer sailing camps and STEAM education program.

• Labor Day, Monday, September 7th
• Registration closes on September 6th
• Post-Race Awards Social at the BYC with chowder and hot dogs

We Care!

Sustaining the ocean and protecting the local coastline is vital to our mission. Our STEAM education program teaches responsible stewardship of our marine environment and is an important part of our camp curriculum.

Providing Unforgettable Experiences

Sail Salem connects our community to the sea through historic sailing, maritime education, and hands-on experiences on the water. Your donation helps maintain our watercraft and equipment and expand our STEAM educational program. Every gift helps keep our sails full and our mission moving forward.

Our community is the wind behind our sails.
Thank you for being a part of it!

Sail Salem does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, disability, ancestry, age, marital status, public assistance status, veteran/military status, or genetic information and is funded, in part, by the City of Salem Department of Planning & Community Development and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.