Today we’d like to introduce you to Graham Sauser.
Graham, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Sailing has always been a lifelong passion of mine, my parents actually met at Sheridan Shores Yacht Club during a regatta, so I guess you could argue I’m here because of sailing. Growing up in Lake Forest I started taking lessons at the age of 8, and after several years of learning I started teaching around 16. During college I would spend my summers working on the dock and teaching at Chicago Sailing, after a few years I obtained my USCG Captain’s License and started captaining charters for Chicago Sailing. Along with teaching sailing and captaining charters I also am an avid racer, competing in races like the NOODs, Verve Cup, Antigua Sailing Week, and completing 4 Chicago Yacht Club Mackinac Races. In 2017 I’ll be adding some solo races to my resume, including an attempt at the Solo Mac, a 3 day non-stop 333 Mile race from Chicago to Mackinac Island.
Outside of sailing, my full time job for the last 5 years was managing arena and stadium level concert & entertainment tours. While it provided me with several invaluable travel and learning experiences, 5 years of nearly full time travel took its toll, so when I heard the Director Of Operations role at Chicago Sailing opened up in the fall of 2016 I jumped at the opportunity and have been serving in that role ever since.
Being able to wake up every day and go to work introducing people to the sport of sailing through our lessons and charters, and rentals has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done, sharing the sport of sailing with others has proved to be my true passion, and I am so fortunate to be able to do that every day.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Traveling full time certainly had its ups and downs, it put an enormous strain on my relationships, both personal and professional, and made it hard to have a consistent home life. I missed a lot of birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations during this time which as very difficult. But I wouldn’t trade those 5 years of experience for anything, it taught me how to be an effective and approachable manager, how to handle difficult or challenging situations, and most of all, how to make sure the customer always comes first.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Chicago Sailing – what should we know?
Chicago Sailing is Chicago’s oldest sailing school and charter operator, along with being the only facility in Chicago that offers hourly sailboat rentals. We are a public facility with no membership or dues, we are the only facility in Chicago where you can walk up and rent a sailboat by the hour.
We started in 1986 as Bill Gladstone’s Chicago Sailing, and have grown from a small two boat sailing school to a full service sailing facility with a fleet of 23 vessels. We are proud to be a US Sailing Certified school, and offer a full range of US Sailing courses and certifications ranging from intro level courses to Basic Keelboat, Basic & Bareboat Cruising, and Coastal Navigation. We pride ourselves on providing the most comprehensive on-the water sailing instruction in Chicago, and guarantee our classes will make you a competent sailor, who will be able to safely and confidently command a vessel.
Aside from lessons we offer captained charters for groups up to 40, along with sailboat rentals to qualified operators on vessels up to 40′. For large groups we offer a wide variety of options ranging from team building races, group charters, and wine tasting events. We strive to make every sailing experience unique and enjoyable for our customers, and can accommodate most special requests with advance notice.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Alan Veenstra is the current owner of Chicago Sailing, he took over the company in 2001 from Bill Gladstone and has been the driving force in transforming the company into what it is today. He expanded the fleet to its current size, along with expanding our offerings and services available to our customers. He is an accomplished lifelong sailor, with several solo races, and offshore ocean races under his belt, he has been an invaluable resource to me both in my role here at Chicago Sailing, and in my personal endeavors. The knowledge and skills he has shared with me have gone a long way to making me a better sailor, and person.
My father, Jim Sauser, was the one who got me started both in the sport of sailing, and here at Chicago Sailing. He has been a fantastic mentor and friend throughout my life in sailing and beyond, and has taught me much of what I know today.
Pricing:
- Into To Sailing Lessons start at $75/ per person
- Monthly Wine Tasting Event “Wind & Wine” starts at $75/ per person
Contact Info:
- Address: Dock B
Belmont Harbor
Chicago, IL 60657 - Website: www.chicagosailing.com
- Phone: 773-871-7245
- Email: contactus@chicagosailing.com
- Instagram: @chisail
- Facebook: @chicagosailing
- Twitter: @chisail
Image Credit:
Chicago Sailing
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