Volume 1 — Issue 5 — August, 2026

Anchors Down on
Season 19

New skills, new friends, endless days on the
ocean and a whole lot of dock jumps — here’s
how our summer went

Our campers marched in Salem’s 400+
Heritage Days Parade and toured a tall ship

Salem is home to over 40% of our campers and the city is at the heart of everything we do. We were proud to be a part of this historic celebration of our community.

Capsizing, tying knots and racing

Some of our campers have returned over several summers, and others were just introduced to sailing this year. Wherever our campers are in their sailing journey, they are always gaining more confidence at the helm and learning to trust their own instincts. The thrill of mastering these skills and experiencing this independence will stay with them for a lifetime.

Most importantly, our campers had fun!

The joy of camaraderie and teamwork, bonding with instructors, trailing a hand in the wake, and jumping into the ocean on a hot summer day — these are the moments that make Sail Salem feel truly special.

As we wrap up our summer staff profiles in this issue,
we want to wish all of our fabulous instructors
the best of luck on their next journeys!

Maya Wakeham

Maya Wakeham is entering her senior year at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School and has been a member of the Sail Salem community for the past seven years. She first joined the program as a camper and developed a strong appreciation for sailing, the waterfront, and the friendships and experiences that Sail Salem provides. This summer marks her first year returning as an instructor, and she is excited to give back to a program that has played an important role in her life.

In addition to sailing, Maya has been an avid tennis player for four years, developing the discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that she brings to her role as an instructor. She enjoys being active, learning new skills, and working with others toward common goals.

Maya is thrilled to be part of the Sail Salem staff and looks forward to helping campers build confidence, learn new skills, and create lasting memories on the water. She hopes to provide the same fun, supportive, and rewarding experience that inspired her throughout her years as a camper.

Abigail Lannen

Abigail will be attending Roger Williams University this fall, where she plans to study Architecture. She hopes to continue her passion for sailing by earning a spot on the university’s sailing team and looks forward to staying active through her love of skiing and possibly participating in club softball or volleyball.

This summer marks her second year as an instructor at Sail Salem. After a rewarding first season, she is excited to return to the waterfront and continue sharing her enthusiasm for sailing with young campers. One of her favorite memories from last year was earning the nickname “Gator,” which quickly became known around the docks.

Abigail enjoys working at Sail Salem because it allows her to spend her summer doing something she loves while helping others discover the sport. She takes pride in teaching new skills, building confidence in young sailors, and creating a positive and encouraging environment on and off the water. She looks forward to another great summer helping campers develop their sailing abilities, making new friends, and creating lasting memories at Winter Island.

Vivian DeBloiser

Vivian is entering her second year at Southern New Hampshire University, where she is majoring in Psychology. Away from the water, she enjoys hiking, exploring new places, playing volleyball and indoor track, and expressing her creativity through art.

Vivian has been sailing for nearly eleven years and has been at Sail Salem nine years. It was her grandfather’s passion for boating that inspired not only Vivian, but also her two sisters and three cousins to discover the joy of sailing.

Following her grandfather’s passing, sailing became even more meaningful. Becoming an instructor has allowed Vivian to honor his memory by passing along the same love of sailing, confidence, and appreciation for the water that he shared with his family.

Over the years, Sail Salem has given Vivian lifelong friendships, valuable leadership and sailing skills, and a strong sense of community. She is excited to help inspire and mentor the next generation of Sail Salem campers, just as others once inspired her.

Grace Galbreath

Grace has been sailing since the age of 10 and brings three years of sailing instructor experience to Sail Salem. This is her first summer with the program, and she is excited to share her passion for sailing with the next generation of young sailors.

In addition to her sailing background, Grace is a collegiate track athlete, where she has developed the discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills that she brings to her work on and off the water. She enjoys helping students build confidence, learn new skills, and develop a lifelong appreciation for sailing and the marine environment. Grace looks forward to a fun, safe, and rewarding summer at Sail Salem.

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.