RTC Youth Sailing Challenge

Activities & Facilities

The Sailing Foundation is a 501(c)3 dedicated to "the advancement of sailing in the Pacific Northwest". We have no physical facilities, instead we partner with yacht clubs and sailing centers across Washington and Oregon to facilitate youth sailing and racing opportunities. We believe the joy of sailing and sailboat racing should be enjoyed by the many, not the few. Our current "Youth Sailing Initiative" is centered around four key elements... Racing, Outreach, Organization, and Training which are outlined below.

Racing
We believe that racing is important because it builds upon and reinforces many of the lessons and concepts introduced in "Learn to Sail." Racing a small boat takes mastery of the fundamentals and an in depth understanding of how a sailboat works. Our goal is to provide excellent local racing opportunities and clinics, which are inclusive and affordable. Success is measured in increased participation regionally and competitiveness at a national level.

Outreach
We work directly with existing sailing centers and yacht clubs to create sailing's next generation. Breaking down barriers, making sailing more visible, and increasing access to programming is the focus of our outreach. We achieve this through promotional events and advertising, expanding learn to sail opportunities in our region, and offering sailing scholarships to low income youth in Washington and Oregon.

Organization
Our goal is to better connect the youth sailing community by linking sailing centers, sailors, and area leaders with one another. We launched nwyouthsailing.org as a means to that end, but a lot of our work still happens in the field by going around to area programs and getting to know the local leaders who are making it happen. By facilitating a climate of cooperation, everyone wins.

Training
It's vital that our area has enough well qualified instructors and coaches. We take an active role in scheduling and teaching US Sailing instructor certification courses. Our annual Coaches' Clinic is one of the most popular events, and each year nearly 100 area coaches and leaders gather to share ideas and learn new techniques. In addition to raising the caliber of our coaches and instructors, we are also dedicated to running an annual Safety at Sea course.