Why the Sailing Season Just Reminded Me of Summer Camp

I know I’ve been talking about the end of summer — and sailing season — for a while now. But this weekend, it finally felt official. Despite a beautiful stretch of sunshine and temperatures in the 80s, it was time for the sails to come down. Boats started coming out of the water, moorings sat empty, and even though it was perfect weather for the crew to work, it was a bittersweet day to be a sailor.

This year, packing up the sails felt like the end of summer camp. You know that feeling — the mix of satisfaction and sadness when something special comes to a close. The dock, once alive with laughter and the familiar clinking of halyards, is quiet now. The sails that carried us across the water have done their job, and it’s time to fold them neatly away until next season. Each fold feels like a ritual, a small way of honoring every day spent on the water. Sliding a sail into its storage bag is the ultimate thank-you and goodbye.

I think back to my own summers at horseback riding camp. Summer was everything to me — riding all day, meeting new horses, and making friends who shared the same passion. The last day was always the hardest. I hated saying goodbye, never knowing when I’d see everyone again. I remember lingering by the paddocks, saying farewell to the horses one last time. This summer on the water felt the same way. I needed one final, spontaneous sail before officially closing the season.

But part of what makes the season so special is knowing it doesn’t last forever. As I packed up this year, I thought about all the memories these sails hold — the calm days, the windy ones, and the quiet moments in between when the sea seemed to mirror my mood. Sailing has become a sanctuary for me — a place to unplug, recharge, and just be.

Now, with the sails tucked away until next spring, I’ll carry these memories with me through the colder months: the feel of the wind filling the canvas, the golden light dancing on the water, and that unmistakable sense of freedom, connection, and teamwork that only comes from being at sea.