Setting Sail Into a New Era

Our first event was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who believed in the mission of the Aquatic Futures Foundation from the very beginning.

In collaboration with the Los Angeles Maritime Institute, Marie Rogers, and the Boys & Girls Club Of Los Angeles Harbor, we brought together a multi-generational, multi-experienced group of people—some lifelong water enthusiasts, others stepping aboard a sailboat for the very first time.

As we gathered on a sailboat built in 1942, we reflected on the past while charting a new course for the future. This boat was built during segregation, meaning that we would not have been allowed to sail together, to learn together, or to share in this experience as equals. However on this day, we stood side by side—people from different backgrounds, races, and lived experiences—laughing, learning, and healing together. In many ways, this moment felt right on time, a reflection of where we’ve been as a country and where we need to go. Guided by passionate experts eager to pass their knowledge on to the next generation, we learned the basics of sailing, navigation, and even shark science! Looking around, we saw smiles, curiosity, and moments of discovery—proof that experiences like this can truly inspire everyone involved.

This is what our aquatic future looks like!

An article was published by US Sailing on the event and Marie Rogers Legacy in Sailing. click this link to learn more about her life story and the accomplishments she has achieved.