Sailing Programs

Early Years

Harris L. Kempner Memorial Sailing School began with five local Galveston Sailors (Mike Janota, Terry Moore, Bill Ansell, John Parsley and Sean Welsh) who had an idea of introducing local children to the sport of sailing. Local Sailor and Philanthropist Harris Kempner kindly offered the use of his Ranger 26' sloop "Landfall V" and soon this young group of students (5) were entering local Bay regattas....and winning! As the victories increased so did the media attention and HLK became a 501 c(3). Student membership grew as well as numerous boat donations . 

Landings Marina

After Mr. Kempner passed, his Landfall V and free slip was no longer available to the organization. The decision was made to move to Offaits Bayou and acquire 5 slips at the Landings Marina. The students enrollment grew to over 55 students from Ball High School, O'Connell High School, Galveston Catholic, and Trinity School. HLK boats were racing on Wednesday nights in the OBRA events , instruction was after school every friday 3:30-5:30pm followed with Saturday and Sunday fun sails 12:00 -2:00. Adult volunteers and students earned required 30hr of service sailing with"At Risk" youth from Galveston Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers and big Sisters. Due to insurance concerns, in 1985 all HLK youth enrolled in the BSA organization and Sea Scout Ship 150 was formed. HLK began hosting a 2 day BSA invitational regatta (Bayou Bash)open to all Sea Scout groups in the Greater Galveston Bay area. The event drew over 100 youth sailors (14 boats)from the Bay Area Council and Houston Area Council. HLK students were also competing in all major Galveston Bay Cruising Association, Lakewood Yacht Club , Houston Yacht Club and TORC events. Winning the Bay Cup, Turkey Day Regatta, Heald Bank Regatta, Harvest Moon Regatta, Reach down the Beach, TORC, Clear Lake Wednesday Night j 24 races and qualified and competed in the J24 Nationals (finished 11th). The HLK fleet grew to 11 sailboat ranging in lengths from 20' to 35'.

A new home

As membership and the fleet grew in size in became painfully clear that HLK would require a new permanent location. Capt. Mike Janota was employed by Texas A&M Galveston and presented a proposal to theA&M Chancellor to develop a community sailing center on university property on 89th/Teichman Road. The agreement required HLK to fund and construct a 12 slip marina with the understanding that currently enrolled A&M students could receive Basic Keelboat instruction and participate in all HLK programs. The A&M lease required HLK proof of insurance + $1 dollar a year and a handshake.

Build it and they will come

In order to raise the necessary funds to purchase material and construct the facility the decision was made to liquidate a few boats and organize a fund raising event. Hence, "the Art of the Cocktail" was born. The black tie event was a huge success raising nearly $35,000. Local archectect Bob Randall kindly donated the marina plans and got all Corp of Engineers permits approved, The Sasser family kindly donated additional funds so the pilings could be driven and HLK volunteer labor did the rest as the marina was completed in 1993. Exxon Mobile donated a portable 12x20 building to store sails and various marina related materials. The fleet grew to ( 3) San Juan 24s,( 2) J24s, (2 )Ranger 26s,(1) Catalina 30,(1) Hunter 35, (1)Fiskastra S30, and an Islander 44. numerous catamarans, sunfish and ( 6) US-1 from the US Women's Olympic Sailing Team . HLK also began a partnership with Ball High School's new adaptive (disabled) PE program. Students with special needs (muscular dystrophy, spina biffita, authism,) sailed every wednesday 3;30-5:00. (the free program lasted 2 years until GISD funding ran out for the school bus driver! ) Disabled Sailor David Gaston joined the organization and brought his disabled Sports non profit "TURNINGPOINT GULF COAST" into the mix. In spite of not being an ADA accessable facility the disabled sailing began in earnest . 

HLK sailing programs ran 4 days a week. The special arrangement was worked out with Payco Marina for reduced rates on boat haulouts. West Marine Port Supply supported us with reduced pricing on bottom paint etc. By 2006, HLK won class honors in LYC Harvest Moon Regatta 6x's. and fleet overall Cameron Trophy twice.  In 2007 Charles and Rosemary Doolin paid a visit and observed our disabled program in action and inquired about al lHLK programs and the existing A&M property. He expressed interest in constructing a permanent Sea Scout facility somewhere on the island. After discovering that he was associated with a Dallas area BSA Sea Scout program we offered him the use of our boats and marina if his skippers would perform a boat" check out" workshop with our team. Following 2 weeks of meetings he offered Mike Janota a position on his Advisory Board to create SEA SCOUT BASE GALVESTON.  

Disaster and Recovery

September 2008 brought Hurricane Ike and HLK lost every boat except 1, Alessandra. Everything was destroyed...marina, boats. building, members homes and students displaced.   Unfortunately, A&M's Chancellor let HLK know that after many good years our partnership was at an end. We were not allowed to rebuild. HLK board members approached the Doolins and offered our remaining funds and one boat. 

Charles Doolin responded by refusing our offer and offering us the use of his dock for our one remaining boat along with his recent acquisition of a 6 Sonars to continue with our HLK programs. 

This eventually lead to the formation of Galveston Community Sailing Center at the 55 million dollar project known as SEA STAR BASE GALVESTON. The program was accepted a member of US SAILING, hosting 6 national Championships is 10 years. hosting various events such as the US SAILING Disabled National Championships, College Singlehanded National Championships, Hospice National Championships, numerous wounded Combat Veterans sailing camps, Warrior Sailing Camp, Texas Heroes, Sailing Angels, TIRR Camp Extreme,Camp for All and many more. Our after school sailing programs included Oppe Elementary, and Odessey Academy. 

The Community Sailing Program was awarded" Disabled Sailing Program of the Year" by US SAILNG in its second year of operation and awarded best Non Profit organization by Galveston Chamber of Commerce.

A sad ending and a new beginning

Charles Doolin passed away in September of 2014  and the his dream of community Sailing died with him. Covid and a lack of funding for all existing programs effectively ended the Sailing Center along with the proposed sale of Sea Star Base.  

HLK has reformed with a spirited group of experienced volunteers, 4 sailboats, one power yacht with mooring slips at Galveston's Causeway Marina and Harborwalk Marina. Youth programs have continued on a limited weekly basis and membership is slowly growing.  We are actively looking for sponsors, volunteers, and most importantly, a base to call our own and , like Galveston, rebuild yet again.   Galveston needs and deserves a community sailing club and HLK intends to make it happen.  If you want to sail, you are in the right place, if you want to serve your community, you are in the right place, if you care about getting kids on the water or just want to sail -  come join our club.