Set Sail for New Horizons: Farewell Celebration for Eric Ellison
CSS Family,
After more than 20 years at the helm of the Community Sailing School’s Junior Sailing
Program, coach Eric Ellison is preparing to hoist anchor on this chapter of his life and
set sail for his next great adventure.
From grueling regattas to Summer Learn To Sail, Eric has been more than a fixture of
the Great Lakes sailing community—he has been our steady compass. He has taught
generations of our children not just how to trim a sail or round a mark, but how to
navigate the unpredictable shifts of life with grit, grace, and unwavering sportsmanship.
His profound impact on our community stretches far beyond the trophies and podium
finishes; it lives on in the confidence and character of every sailor he has ever coached.
Please join us as we gather to honor this incredible legacy, share our favorite stories
from the water, and give him the grand send-off he truly deserves. Let’s fill his sails with
our gratitude and wish him fair winds and following seas on his next great adventure.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Open house format, presentation at 7:00 pm)
Location: Pontiac Yacht Club
Address: 3270 Wards Point Dr., Orchard Lake, MI 48324
Food & Refreshments: Light hors d’oeuvres, desert, and beverages will be provided.
Attire: Yacht club casual or regatta attire welcome.
Questions: Please contact Lynn Frikker with any questions – [email protected], (248) 892-8391
Honoring Eric’s Legacy: Scholarship Fund
Gifts for Eric are warmly welcomed — however, in the true spirit of everything Eric has given to this program over 20 years, we are proud to announce the establishment of the Eric Ellison Sailing Scholarship Fund in his honor.
This fund will provide financial assistance to families who seek to benefit most from the sport — ones that are looking for enriching extracurricular programs for their child but face financial barriers to participation — exactly the kind of access and opportunity Eric championed throughout his career.
If you would like to make a donation in Eric’s name, contributions will be gratefully accepted at the event. Donations will be accepted via cash, check, and online payments via the QR codes that will be at the event.
If you are unable to attend but still wish to contribute, you can make a gift at the link below. Be sure to enter “Eric” in the “In honor/memory of” field, so that we know to add your donation to the new Scholarship Fund.
Make a gift today: communitysailingschool.org/donate
Help Us Build a Farewell Slideshow for Eric!
We are compiling a farewell slideshow to honor Eric’s legacy. If you have cherished photos of Coach Eric—whether fighting the elements during a race, goofing around throwing Fruit Barrels to sailors from the Coach Boat, or standing proudly with his team celebrating a victorious result—please email them to our [email protected] email.
We look forward to seeing you there!