Having already hosted some large sailing events it's been proven that Whalepoint Watersports can support a number of boats and people comfortably even as it ist. After completing the new development, facilities will be greatly improved surrounded by a beautiful parklike setting—a very pleasant place to come even for those who just want to sit on the grass and watch the sailboats. While Basin of Inhabitants small-boat center  is open to adults and juniors, the emphasis is on youth involvement. We provide a sponsored scholarship program which makes sailing lessons available to kids of lower income families who wouldn't ordinarily have the opportunity to get out on the water.

All this sounds terrific, but it doesn't do these kids any good to learn how to sail unless they then have access to boats. That's what will make the program a boon to the sailing youth of Whiteside and Cape Breton as well. After completing a program where they learn not just how to get the boat to go in the right direction, but how to right an overturned boat, water safety, and more, the kids (and adults) will have access to available boats for a nominal fee.

Yes, boats are expensive, even little “Optimists” . However, some yacht clubs provide boats for students to use for the first year of membership, thus giving the kids a chance to find out if they really like sailing before the family buys a boat. Every sport can be expensive. The way these parents figure it, sailing is worth it, especially since we’ve got great water and instructors right in our backyards.Yacht club dues vary greatly, but often it’s not necessary to join a yacht club. If you want your kids to learn to sail, just sign up for one of our summer programs and you’ll pay only for the sponsored program.

Too good to be true? We don't need to look too far to see that it can work. The Jericho Sailing Center in Vancouver, BC. is in its 25th year. It is home to over 1200 hand-launchable sailboats, windsurfers, paddling and rowing boats. Instruction is offered in sailing, windsurfing, paddling and sea kayaking. It pays rent of $1Cn/year to the Vancouver Park Department and has provided boating activity to thousands of Vancouver citizens of all ages.
Community Boating of Boston, Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization that has offered sailing on the Charles River to thousands of sailors of all ages for over 50 years. Its dues range from $1/year for 1400 youths upward; it owns 150 sailboats, windsurfers and rowing boats, providings instruction and opportunities for recreational sailing in its boats to its members. Among the many community boating programs in the U.S., Community Boating of Boston is one of the brightest stars.
Using such successful models as Jericho Sailing Center and Community Sailing of Boston, the Basin of Inhabitants Small-Boat Center will be a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The Center will be managed by paid staff with help from trained volunteers. The program will operate during daylight hours primarily during warm weather. Once the initial capital improvements are completed, operating expenses for the Center's programs will be self-sufficient from members' dues and fees charged for boat and equipment storage. The Center's organizers have also pledged to set aside 10% of all fees collected from adults to support youth programs.
Turning this vision into reality will be a long, time consuming, uphill battle. We hope to find support by Richmond County. This is truly the future of community sailing, saving the beauty of attractions of Cape Breton for our kids and increasing tourism.