Downtown Sailing Center

06/24/2026

Time to meet another of Saturday's O' Say Can You Sail regatta competitors: "Jun" Aggarao.

For the past four years, Potenciano "Jun" Aggarao Jr. of Nottingham, Maryland, has been a valued member of the Downtown Sailing Center's Hansa race team. This June, he'll be joining fellow adaptive sailors from the DSC and veterans from the Valhalla Sailing Project in the inaugural O' Say Can You Sail Regatta on Baltimore Harbor.

When asked for a fun fact, Jun shared a simple philosophy that perfectly captures the spirit of adaptive sailing:

"Life is not over. Sailing must go on."

That determination, optimism, and love of being on the water are what make events like O' Say Can You Sail so special. We're proud to have Jun on the starting line as we celebrate inclusion, independence, and the freedom to sail.

📅 June 27, 2026
⛵ Hansa 303 Regatta
Celebrating Sail250 Baltimore

06/21/2026

Less than one week until the O' Say Can You Sail regatta! Time to get to know some of the competitors!

For Lionel Rogers, adaptive sailing is more than a sport—it's freedom, confidence, and a chance to reset from the challenges of everyday life.

A double above-the-knee amputee since age four, he has overcome bacterial meningitis, kidney failure, seven years of dialysis, a heart attack, and severe obesity. Through it all, he has embraced what he calls the P.O.O.H. Mentality: Positive Outlook On Hardship.

"Sailing is my therapy. Every time I hit the water, it's like a factory reset. The stress, noise, and problems of life seem to float away."

When he's not sailing, Lionel is a certified Health and Life Coach, competitive wheelchair basketball player, pickleball player, and adaptive athlete dedicated to helping others overcome adversity.

We're proud to have him competing in the inaugural O' Say Can You Sail Regatta on June 27 as DSC sailors take on veterans from the Valhalla Sailing Project in a celebration of inclusion, resilience, and freedom on the water.

Follow Lionel at Positive Outlook On Hardship

06/19/2026

Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the enduring legacy of freedom and resilience.

Tomorrow, we’re taking that celebration to the water.

In honor of Juneteenth, the Downtown Sailing Center is inviting Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color for an afternoon of sailing and connection. Together, we’re continuing to build greater access, representation, and belonging in sailing.

Whether it’s your first time on a sailboat or your hundredth, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of the wind filling the sails and a crew moving together toward the horizon.

Let’s celebrate Juneteenth with community, adventure, and the joy of being on the water.

Registration required, $35/non-members. Visit our website for details!

06/11/2026

Join us for the O' Say Can You Sail Regatta on Saturday, June 27!

As Baltimore celebrates SAIL250 and America's 250th anniversary, the Downtown Sailing Center is bringing together adaptive sailors and military veterans for a morning of friendly racing, camaraderie, and inclusion on Baltimore Harbor.

Sailors from the DSC Adaptive Sailing Program will compete alongside veterans from the Valhalla Sailing Project in Hansa 303W sailboats—specially designed boats that allow people with a wide range of physical abilities to sail independently and competitively.

“O' Say Can You Sail celebrates independence, competition, and joy on the water,” says DSC Executive Director Sharon Lacy. “Adaptive sailing removes barriers and creates a space where sailors of all abilities can compete side-by-side in the harbor that birthed The Star-Spangled Banner.”

📅 Saturday, June 27, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Downtown Sailing Center, Baltimore Harbor

Come cheer on these incredible sailors and celebrate freedom, inclusion, and the power of sport on the water!

06/04/2026

Spotted! ⛵️ The other day, a Downtown Sailing Center boat photo appeared in the online edition of The Baltimore Banner alongside the question, “Why do you love living in Baltimore?”

We think Baltimore’s waterfront - and the people who enjoy it - are definitely part of the answer. ❤️

05/21/2026

What happens when people are welcomed onto the water?

This month’s DSC newsletter celebrates a harbor alive with community — from Access-Ability Open Houses and first-time sailors to Friday night races, volunteer-powered programs, and unforgettable moments on Baltimore Harbor.

We’re also spotlighting instructor Jasdev Sran, whose enthusiasm and encouragement are helping new sailors build confidence and connection on the water.

Plus: honoring the legacy of former Executive Director Kirk Culbertson and the community he helped create.

Baltimore’s harbor is strongest when it’s alive with people experiencing it together.

Email from The Downtown Sailing Center See how DSC is bringing Baltimore’s harbor to life through community, confidence, and belonging.       Participants in ourThursday Night Racing program as captur

05/17/2026

Please join us on Sunday, May 31st, as we gather to remember and celebrate the life of Kirk Culbertson, a beloved leader and longtime member of the Downtown Sailing Center community.

As the DSC’s first Executive Director and one of the driving forces behind the organization’s early growth, Kirk helped shape the welcoming and inclusive spirit that continues to define the DSC today. His kindness, warmth, leadership, and love of sailing left a lasting mark on our docks, our boats, and the many people who had the privilege of knowing him. We are grateful for the time we shared with him and for the community he helped build.

Kirk’s memorial will be held on Sunday, May 31, beginning at 2:00 PM under the green pavilion at the Downtown Sailing Center, 1425 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230. The gathering is expected to last approximately 60–90 minutes.

Afterward, attendees are invited to head over to Little Havana to continue sharing memories and time together.

All are welcome as we honor Kirk’s life and the lasting impact he had on our community.

04/27/2026

The Downtown Sailing Center has lost a dear friend. On April 21, 2026, George “Kirk” Culbertson, affectionately known as “Captain Kirk,” passed away. A driving force behind our founding and our first Executive Director, Kirk’s leadership, passion, and vision helped build the DSC into what it is today. He played a key role in developing our accessible sailing programs and established many of the DSC’s cornerstone programs and traditions that continue today.

Over the years, Kirk made generous donations to the DSC. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made in his memory to the DSC. A Celebration of Life is being planned, and details will be forthcoming.
https://givebutter.com/remembering-kirk

To our beloved Captain Kirk, as you embark on your next journey, remember to take the second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning. Godspeed!

Read full memorial: https://conta.cc/41ZemGs

Email from The Downtown Sailing Center The DSC has lost a dear friend, George Kirkpatrick "Kirk" Culbertson.     In Memory of George Kirkpatrick "Kirk" Culbertson September 18,1955 to April 21, 2026