The AC Endeavour Program has created a weekend of educational fun for New York area youth programs, sailing schools, and fans of all ages visiting the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series New York. Friday, May 6, has been designated AC Endeavour Youth Day, and activities from local community partners will engage kids in the Event Village at Brookfield Place Waterfront Plaza during the weekend of racing, May 7-8.
AC Endeavour has been operating in Bermuda, host venue for the 2017 America’s Cup, since last year, introducing technical concepts of sailing to school curriculum, as well as teaching water safety and other life skills. Now the program is coming to New York. Area students will participate in STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math – education, then put those learnings into practice on the Hudson River in AC Endeavour boats.
“Sailing is the ultimate tool for delivering STEAM curriculum. From learning about buoyancy and wind currents to conservation and teamwork, the sport provides a unique educational experience,” said Tom Herbert-Evans, Community Sailing Program Manager for the America’s Cup. “We’re excited to bring AC Endeavour and this curriculum to young people in New York. With the support of Harken, North Sails and Magic Marine, along with local community partners, we have the opportunity to engage and inspire students in a hands-on learning environment.”
AC Endeavour Youth Day
On Friday, 100 students ages 13 years and older from around the New York City area will participate in AC Endeavour Youth Day as part of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series New York. Students representing the New York Harbor School, Success Academy and nearby Battery Park City area schools will be part of a special STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) education program and experience sailing taster sessions in Hobie Wave boats on the Hudson River.
Students will begin their day with a combination of interactive activities both on shore and on the water. On shore in the Event Village, they’ll test their strength and knowledge with the Harken Grinder Challenge and Simple Machine Scavenger Hunt. Both activities will take place in the Harken STEAM Classroom supported by the US Sailing Reach Initiative. In the classroom, they can also learn about marine debris and how to live sustainably with help from the Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean.
On the Hudson River, the students will take out the fleet of eight uniquely identifiable Hobie Wave catamarans. The boats feature bright yellow sails – donated by leading sailmaker North Sails – and branding to reflect the iconic New York taxi cab. Following the weekend AC Endeavour programs, the Hobie Waves will be donated to local youth sailing programs, along with legacy funding to help run the programs going forward.
Mid-day on Friday, students will trade in their Magic Marine helmets, lifejackets, and drysuits for lunch aboard the boat Valiant to watch the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series practice races. STEAM activities held onboard Valiant will feature representatives from Hobie Cat and North U who will educate students on everything from sail trim to foiling technique. A fun AC45 race boat design competition will also allow students to learn first-hand about the innovative design and cutting edge technology pivotal to the America’s Cup.
Following racing, participants will have the opportunity to meet and interact with America’s Cup sailors from all six teams. The entire group of students, along with the sailors, will participate in a special Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series New York ribbon cutting to officially open the Event Village and kick off the weekend activities.
When the Event Village officially opens at 3 pm, the students will rotate between exploring the wide range of community educational exhibits and a second sailing session on Colgate 26 boats with the Offshore Sailing School.
Weekend Programs
On Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, Rocking the Boat and Hudson River Community Sailing, both partners of the AC Endeavour Program for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series New York, will each bring a group of youth participants sailing on the Hobie Wave catamarans on the Hudson River. The kids will also join an AC Sailor Lifestyle Talk to learn more about what it’s like to be part of an America’s Cup team. Both groups will participate in Harken STEAM Classroom and Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean activities, and they will join local youth sailors to be part of the Dock Out Shows.
Visitors of all ages can stop by the Harken STEAM Classroom all weekend to participate in the Harken Grinder Challenge and Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt.
Local community partners will also offer educational opportunities for all young visitors throughout the day in the Event Village, open from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm both Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8.
Community partner exhibitions include hands-on activities focused around STEAM curriculum, from learning about weather to points of sail. All exhibitors will also have information on youth and community sailing programs. The organizations represented:
- New York Harbor School
- Rocking the Boat
- Hudson River Community Sailing
- Off Shore Sailing School
- South Street Seaport Museum
- Battery Park City Authority
- Downtown Alliance
- Waterfront Alliance
Poster Signing
America’s Cup sailors will be signing posters for fans of all ages on Saturday, May 7 from 4:30-5:30 pm in front of the main stage in the Event Village.
#SayNo Sustainability Activities
In conjunction with the Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean, the #SayNo photo booth and sustainability programs will educate children about marine debris and ways to protect the oceans. At the photo booth, all visitors can snap photos, tagging them with the hashtag #SayNo, and sharing their commitment to help eliminate single-use plastics and keep the oceans clean. The Rozalia Project will also lead a fun beach clean and recycling activity throughout the weekend in the Event Village. All visitors are encouraged to stop by for the opportunity to win a prize.
All AC Endeavour Program participants will receive a reusable water bottle, and water refill stations will be located in the Event Village. In the Harken STEAM Classroom, students will also participate in a sustainability activity – “Reducing a Sailor’s Environmental Impact – Start with Lunch” – facilitated by the US Sailing Reach Program.
Schedule
Friday, May 6
9:15-11:15 am — AC Endeavour Youth Sailing & Activities – Event Village
11:15 am — AC Endeavour On Water STEAM Activities & Media Boat – Valiant
2:30 pm — AC Endeavour Ribbon Cutting & Photo Moment – Event Village Main Stage
3:00-5:00 pm — AC Endeavour Youth Sailing & Activities – Event Village
Saturday & Sunday, May 7-8
11:00 am – 6:00 pm — AC Endeavour Educational Activities – Event Village
AC Endeavour Youth Day Partners
North Sails are a dedicated partner of the AC Endeavour Program, not only providing authentic pink branded sails in Bermuda and iconic yellow sails for New York, but also supporting educational programs. The North Sails partnership includes programming for the AC Collegiate Sailing Intern Program and AC Endeavour Youth Day activities during the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series events. Their support is enabling youth to learn about sail trim and technique, and developing the next generation of sailors.
Harken, a partner of the AC Endeavour Program, has teamed up with the US Sailing Reach Program to donate equipment and facilitate hands-on learning activities in the Harken STEAM Classroom, located in the Event Village. The classroom will feature the Harken Grinding Challenge, where visitors can test their strength and agility, and will be home to the Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt.
Magic Marine generously supports the AC Endeavour Program by supplying helmets, lifejackets, dry suits, and more, helping youth experience the joy of sailing while staying safe and dry.
ABOUT THE AC ENDEAVOUR PROGRAM
The AC Endeavour Program is a youth-focused community sailing and educational program in connection with the 35th America’s Cup presented by Louis Vuitton. The mission is to provide unique sporting and educational opportunities through sailing for youth across all socioeconomic backgrounds. It highlights three pillars, including a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) educational component, the youth sailing initiative, and an internship opportunity for US collegiate sailors and coaches. Partners include Harken – Boat Hardware, North Sails – Sails, Dynamic Dollies – Racks and Dollies, Versadock – Drive on docks for rescue craft, Magic Marine – Sailing Apparel, RS Sailing – LDC Sailboats – RS Feva, Bic Sport – Open Bic, Hobie Cat – Hobie Wave, VSR – Coach Boats, Blokart – Land Sailing Karts, as well as local partners in Bermuda – Appleby, Butterfield, PwC, Hamilton Insurance and Orbis.
More about the AC Endeavour Program HERE
