Andre Holliday/Christine Hughes
Welcome aboard! My name is Andre Holliday, and I’m the moderator of this site. I learned how to sail and received my ASA 101 and 103 certifications during the summer of 2018. I love the wind, the waves, and the sense of freedom that sailing affords. But something was missing. It wasn’t until I saw the picture above that I realized what it was: the joy that people experience when they go sailing. The fact that many more Black people and people of color were not experiencing that joy was simply unacceptable to me.
In the spring of 2019 I determined to change that by finding an environment where Blacks and other people of color could learn to sail and participate in the wonderful world of sailing. That place is Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS). HRCS has two locations in Manhattan, one near Chelsea Piers and the other one in Inwood.
Hudson River Community Sailing develops leadership and academic success in underserved New York City youth through sailing education and provides maritime education and recreation to the community at large. HRCS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
HRCS Mission Statement
Our mission at Shades of Black Making Waves is to significantly increase the number of Black sailors and sailors of color. We organize participants to take a three-hour sailing lesson at HRCS near Chelsea Piers. Participants are encouraged to go further by taking a full two-day sailing course, which includes the opportunity to become certified. All participants are invited to join HRCS.