Jolly Madison Sailing Club was founded by Bill Sleeman – a crew member of the GL52 Windquest. When asked how he founded Jolly Madison he said, ‘It just happened! I belong to an inter-city ministry and a few of the African-American pastors asked me if I’d take some kids from their church out sailing. I bought an old Erickson ’28 and took a few kids out and a few more showed up and a few more showed up and it was getting busy. A couple of my sailing friends encouraged me to start an inter-city sailing club and that was the beginning of Jolly Madison!”
Grand Rapids YMCA partners with Jolly Madison by renting building facilities and lake shore access for the used JY14’s that Bill and his friends purchased. Starting with a science teacher from Union High School and a sailing instructor from Holland – the program has grown to over 80 kids in 2023. The sailing and STEM-based 2-week sessions draw youth from Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon coming from the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Hispanic Church, Young Life and New City Kids. Taught by US Sailing Level 2 instructors – a goal of the program is for their students to become teachers – two of them are working on their US Sailing Certifications now!
Bill’s daughter Gabi, the executive director of Jolly Madison said. “Everyone is looking forward to the 2024 Big Red Jolly regatta during the GL52 Big Red event from May 31-June 2. The Jolly kids love the opportunity to sail with volunteers from Macatawa Yacht Club and watch the amazing GL52s race.”
MISSION: The Jolly Madison Sailing Club exists to develop leaders through sailing by making the sport accessible to young adults of all socio-economic backgrounds by eliminating barriers to participation.
VISION: That the Jolly Madison Sailing Club experience will clear paths, open doors and form lifelong relationships. This success, in turn, will elevate this young group of sailors to socio-economic opportunities not found in their current inter-city environments.
GL52 Racing 