CYA Newsletter

September 2008

The 2008 CYA Annual General Meeting

The meeting will be in Kingston, Ontario at the Confederation Place Hotel on Saturday, October 25th, 2008 at 2:00pm. AGM registration will commence at 1:30pm on the 25th.

Voting privileges at the CYA AGM will be determined in accordance with CYA Bylaw 8.10 b) The number of members of a club shall be established and certified by the Executive Director from the last membership report issued prior to eight weeks before the meeting.  Where members' names are not supplied by the member organizations, the number of votes will be determined by dividing the aggregate of the fees paid by the annual fee payable for one member rounded off to the nearest whole number.

Based on CYA Bylaw 8.10b), all membership payments received by the CYA Executive Director at the CYA office on or before September 2nd , 2008 will be counted to establish voting rights at the CYA AGM.

Further information regarding the 2008 AGM will be circulated as available.

Please contact Genevieve Manning with any questions.

The 2008 CYA Annual Rolex Awards Banquet

The Banquet will be held at the Kingston Yacht Club on Saturday, October 25th, 2008. The banquet reception will commence at 6:30pm followed by dinner and awards presentation at 7:30pm. The Annual Rolex Awards Banquet honours Canada’s top sailors and sailing contributors. Contact Genevieve Manning for ticket information. 

Nominations for the 2008 CYA Awards

This is your chance to nominate outstanding coaches, athletes, race officials and volunteers that have contributed to the sport over the past year. All nomination forms are due at the CYA office by September 15th, 2008 so download the necessary forms today!

All the CYA Awards info can be found at http://www.sailing.ca/about/awards

Olympic Games Report

The Canadian Olympic Sailing Team has safely returned back to their home shores, with a once in a lifetime experience behind them. Capably led by Evert Bastet, the team endured heat, humidity, smog, algae, high winds and no winds, to perform on the world stage. Early wins, late challenges and unfortunate wind shifts punctuated the entire sailing event. Yet, in the end, Canadian sailors did their best with a never say it’s over approach.

High Performance Director & Head Coach, Ken Dool kept all of us fully informed of each day’s conditions and our team successes (or challenges). CBC’s bold network provided live (and replay) coverage each and every day of the sailing compeitions, complete with commentary from our own Fiona Kidd. There was simply no excuse to be uninformed on a daily basis.

However, for those who did miss it, the results are as follows:

Finn -Chris Cook demonstrated his abilities to compete consistently against a pair of high caliber contenders. Ultimately placing 5th Chris held his own in what was the penultimate test, under some amazing conditions.

Yngling –Late comers to join the team, Jen Provan, Martha Henderson and Katie Abbot gave it their very best, all the way to the end. In a series of races where the points separating them from the medal round could be counted on one hand, the team fought to the finish. The team registered a 13th place standing.

49’er –Ben Remocker and Gord Cook fought a vigorous battle, but were subject to fickle and challenging conditions, as well as frequent postponements. Ultimately the team narrowly missed the chance to sail in the medal race, finishing 14th overall.

470 –Stephane Locas and Oliver Bone experienced their dream come true: sailing amongst their international peers, representing their country proudly. Ultimately, the duo did not get into the medal round, and finished the competition in 29th place.

Laser –Mike Leigh fought back from an early struggle to rack up a set of highly respectable finishes, placing consecutive fifth, fourth, third and second place finishes leading up to the medal race. Wrapping up a solid ninth place finish for the event illustrated Mike’s outstanding skills and abilities, especially as a first time Olympic competitor.

Laser Radial – Lisa Ross showed great determination, putting up several top ten finishes, but tricky wind shifts and strong currents held this contender from securing a spot in the elusive medal race. Lisa wrapped up the games with a 17th place finish.

RS:X Men –Like all his peers, Zachary Plavsic fought a strong fight, ultimately finishing in the 23rd spot. As a first time Olympic competitor, and under such trying conditions, Zac certainly displayed grit and talent.

RS:X Women – Nikola Girke demonstrated skill and agility, combined with patience to achieve a 17th place finish. Qingdao presented trying conditions for all, but was perhaps the most trying –and exhausting, for all the RS:X competitors.

Tornado – Oscar Johansson and Kevin Stittle came to these games to prove their mettle…and they succeeded. This dynamic duo grasped several top scores, setting themselves up for a tight medal race. Then, under near perfect conditions the team achieved a second place finish, only to be edged off the podiums by Argentina, forcing them to settle in fourth place.

Behind the scenes, National Team and support coaches worked tirelessly, to ensure that the team was equipped and ready for whatever action they were to face. Congratulations to Evert Bastet, Ken Dool, Tommy Wharton, Kevin Black, Rob Fox, Lea Sitja, Jason Rohdes and Bill Abbott for leading such a successful team. Back at home, the National office staff proudly served and supported everyone one China, including many athlete family members. Even though the medals didn’t come through this time, the final standings speak for the skill and expertise of a great team.

And now, as this message is being written, our Paralympic squad is readying to take to the waters, hoping to repeat history and bring home some medals of their own. To all the Olympic and Paralympic team members; for all your collective successes and accomplishments, and for having the determination to achieve Olympic status, CYA congratulates you! 

October 2008

Reloading the collective gun:

Laser/Radial NQR

The process of qualifying for berths on the National team has begun in earnest with the conclusion of the 2008 National Qualifying Regatta for the Laser and Radial Classes. The 2008 qualifier was hosted by St Margaret’s Bay Sailing Club over the extended weekend of Oct 3-5. As one comes to expect in St. Margaret’s Bay the winds were exquisite and the athletes were treated to 3 intense days of competition. A total of 11 races were completed for both classes in winds ranging from 8 to 25 knots with the majority of the races held in winds in excess of 15 knots. The local club lead by Rod Millar did an outstanding job in hosting the championships as a prelude to the 2009 Laser World Championships which will occur in August of 09 on these same waters.

The titles in both divisions were up for grabs throughout the competition with veteran competitors battling the game up and comers for spots on the National stage. Bernard Luttmer of RCYC held of the quartet of Abe Torchinsky (RVYC) Dave Wright (RCYC), Chris Dold (RCYC) and Lee Parkhill (RCYC) to claim the Laser title. In the Radial fleet the competition was no less compelling with veteran National team member Jen Spalding of RVYC showing solid form in claiming the title, narrowly edging local Daniel Dube (SMSC/RSNYS), Keamia Rasa (RVYC) and hard charging Lisa Ross (RSNYS).

A big thank you to the locals for the hospitality and excellent conditions that were provided for the event.

All Other Olympic Class NQR’s:

The remainder of the team will be selected during the 2009 Miami Olympic Classes Regatta hosted in January 2009.

Peter Wood appointed Interim Executive Director

The Canadian Yachting Association announced today that Peter Wood has been appointed Interim Executive Director effective immediately.

Peter has had a long involvement in sailing spanning more than 40 years. He is currently a member of CYA’s Judge Committee and serves on the Ontario Sailing Association’s Appeals Committee. He is also the voluntary head coach of the Ontario Sailing Association’s regional training centre for paralympic sailing at Nepean Sailing Club. 

Peter was a staff member of the Canadian Yachting Association from 1979 to 2000 serving as Racing Director and Training Director during that period.

He was a member of the Canadian Sailing Team in the mid 1970’s.  Peter has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and a MBA from the University of Washington (USA).  Peter will be located at the Canadian Yachting Association offices in Kingston, ON

CYA Looks Ahead - Annual General Meeting

Come and join the membership in meeting to discuss the future direction and activities of the CYA. Meaningful direction and new resolve begin with you.

Thursday Oct 23rd
11am – 5pm    Executive Directors Meeting – CYA offices
7-9pm     CYA and Walt Disney Studio presents: Morning Light – Sailing Documentary

Friday Oct 24th
8:30 am    Sailing Development Meeting – CYA offices
1:00 pm    Learn To Sail Meeting – CYA offices

*all meetings for Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th at Confederation Place Hotel
237 Ontario Street, Kingston

Saturday Oct 25th
8-9 am    Closed Board of Director Meeting – Confederation Place Hotel
9-11:30 am    Open Forum – Membership and Governance
11:30 am    Luncheon – Olympic/Paralympic Celebration
1:30-2 pm    AGM – Registration
2-4:30 pm    Annual General Meeting
6:30 pm    CYA Annual Rolex Awards Reception and Banquet - KYC

Sunday Oct 26th
8:30-10:30    Board of Directors and Provincial Council Meetings
11-12pm    Nominating Committee Meeting
11-4 pm    Board of Directors Meeting
12-4pm    Provincial Council Meeting

High Performance – Canadian Sailing Team

The 2005-2008 quadrennial for all intents and purposes has drawn to a close with the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Qingdao. The quad will be best remembered for Paul Tingley’s Gold Medal performance in the 2.4mR class at the Paralympics, a first for Canadian sailors. Although this performance stands out amongst many there were numerous memorable performances that are worthy of mention:

Paralympic Games Gold Medal 2.4mR – Paul Tingley

Bronze Medal Skud 18 – John McRoberts and Stacie Louttit

Olympic Games

4th Tornado – Oskar Johansson and Kevin Stittle

5th Finn – Chris Cook 9th Laser – Mike Leigh

World Championships

Oskar Johansson & Kevin Stittle – Silver @ 2008 Tornado Worlds
Mike Leigh – Gold @ 2008 Radial Worlds, 4th @ 2006 Laser Worlds
Chris Cook – Finn – 6th in 2008, 7th in 2007, 9th in 2006, Bronze in 2005
Luke Ramsay – Gold at 2006 Youth Worlds – Laser
Bruce Millar – 4th at 2007 2.4mR IFDS Worlds
Paul Tingley – 5th at 2007 2.4mR IFDS Worlds
John McRoberts & Stacie Louttit – 6th at 2007 Skud 18 – IFDS Worlds
Isabella Bertold – 4th at 2008 Youth Worlds, 7th at 2007 Youth Worlds – Radial
Robert Davis – 5th at 2008 Youth Worlds – Laser
David Hayes – 6th at 2007 Youth Worlds – RSX
Europeans & Grade 1 Events Mike Leigh – Gold at 2008 Hyeres, Bronze 2008 Kiel Week, Bronze 2007 Europeans
Oskar Johansson & Kevin Stittle – Gold at 2007 Hyeres Pan American Games
Dominique Vallee – Gold – RSX Milev, Wolfs, Goodyear, Naidoo – Bronze – J24

Just a sampling of the performance over the past quadrennial, and now its time to set the target squarely on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

The challenges for certain will be many and the Canadian athletes’ and the entire support system will need to raise it’s collective game yet again to achieve prominence in the quadrennial that lies ahead.

 

November 2008

Report from the Annual General Meeting

October 25, 2008 - Peter Wood Interim Executive Director

The Canadian Yachting Association Annual General meeting is a four hour meeting held in the middle of four days of technical meetings, council meetings, and directors meetings with an awards banquet thrown in for good measure. It is an opportunity for professional staff from the Canadian Yachting Association, the provincial Sailing Associations, clubs and volunteers from across Canada to meet and move forward the sport of sailing in Canada.

This year’s AGM was held in Kingston Ontario and saluted our Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams who sailed so well in Qindao, China. Our Olympic Team had three finishers in the top 9 in their respective classes with a fourth place finish in the Tornado class and a fifth in the Finn class. We qualified sailors for eight of the eleven Olympic events. In the Paralympics we struck gold and bronze. Medals in two of the three Paralympic events was huge and demonstrates the commitment of our paralympic athletes. In honour of our athletes we held an Olympic/ Paralympic Celebration Luncheon introducing many members of the team to our volunteers and CYA members.

The Annual General Meeting held on Saturday October 25th heard from President Gerry Giffin that the Governance Model continues to evolve as the CYA board moves from a portfolio based board to a policy based board. More changes can be expected over the next twelve months as working committee reporting relationships and staff relationships are redefined.

On the financial position of the Canadian Yachting Association, the president outlined steps that the board had taken to balance the budget, including staff reductions and a national dialogue on restructuring the membership model. The board has identified the problems and are working hard to implement solutions.

Reports from the provincial sailing associations indicate that they generally had good seasons with a lot of activity in both instructional and competitive side of the sport. The provinces are looking forward to sending their best young sailors to the Canada Games in Summerside, PEI in 2009.

The election of directors saw four excellent candidates seeking two Board of Director positions. Alan Lombard of Beaconsfield, a member of the Hudson Yacht Club and an active volunteer with the Federation de Voile du Quebec and Anne Sanderson of Toronto, a member of the National Yacht Club and active in race management were elected new directors of CYA replacing retiring directors Glen Dexter and Kim Foley.

The Technical meetings held on Friday October 24th brought together coaches, class association representatives and provincial sailing association technical staff who addressed issues surrounding the CYA’s sailor development and coaching models.

Minutes from the AGM and Board of Directors meetings will be posted shortly and stay tuned for more articles on the changes that the CYA and the Provinces are working on as well as opportunities for you to get involved as a volunteer.

CYA Store

Starting your Christmas Shopping?  The CYA Store has many items for sailing and boating enthusiasts.  Check it out today http://store.sailing.ca

2008 Annual Rolex Award Banquet Winners

The Canadian Yachting Association is pleased to announce the 2008 Award recipients.  The Canadian Yachting Association 2008 Rolex Annual Awards Banquet was held at the Kingston Yacht Club, Kingston Ontario on October 25, 2008.

In advance of the commencement of the evening’s award presentations, the Canadian Yachting Association paid honourable mention to the medallists at this year’s Paralympic Games:

Paul Tingley – 2.4m - Gold Medal

John McRoberts & Stacie Louttit – Skud 18 - Bronze Medal

On behalf of the Canadian Yachting Association, congratulations on your tremendous achievements!

The following awards were presented at the 2008 Rolex Annual Awards Banquet:

 Paul Tingley

Rolex Sailor of the Year Award

The Rolex Sailor of the Year Award, CYA’s most prestigious award, is presented annually to a Canadian sailor for bringing recognition to Canadian sailing and the Canadian Yachting Association.  The award was first presented in 1986 to America’s Cup supporter Paul Phelan, who successfully organized a merger between Canada’s top 12-meter syndicates.

The 2008 recipient of the Rolex Sailor of the Year award is Paul Tingley, of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Paul Tingley was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1970. Paul started sailing at the early age of 10 years old, and began his racing career at 25 years. As his skills developed, Paul moved to Victoria BC to join a 3 person Sonar team. The move was a good one, as the team captured the Bronze medal at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.

Paul returned to Halifax in 2005 and has raced the 1 person Paralympic class boat; 2.4 mR, ever since.  His success has continued, as he finished 5th at the World Disabled Championships in 2007. Added to Paul’s successes are a silver medal at the 2008 Qingdao test event and the ultimate achievement of a Gold Medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games this summer.

Paul’s success at the 2008 Paralympics is the culmination of a focused effort with the single-minded aim of winning a Medal for himself and Canada at the Games. He is not only a top international athlete but a true ambassador to our sport.

Please see the following link to view Paul’s acceptance speech; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdOEe-9cZhA

 John and Stacie with their Bronze Medals

CYA Female Athlete of the Year

The Female Athlete of the Year is awarded to an individual athlete or crew with a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition and who has brought recognition to Canadian competitive sailing.

The 2008 recipient of the CYA Female Athlete of the Year award is Stacie Louttit, of Victoria, BC.

Stacie and her teammate, John McRoberts, took the news of the addition of the Skud 18 class to the 2008 Paralympic Games head-on. Showing absolute devotion and commitment to qualifying for a spot on Canada’s Paralympic team this year, Stacie took a leave of absence from her work at IBM.  With her young family’s support to train and travel, Stacie and John’s Paralympic campaign – “Team U Can 2” sailed to 3rd place finish at 2008 Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, and 4th at 2008 Qingdao International Regatta.

The team was fully dedicated to achieving success in Qingdao, and sure enough they brought home the bronze medal!

Stacie’s perseverance in achieving excellence in sailing, and loyalty to our Canadian Paralympic Team is admirable. Congratulations Stacie!

 Oskar with Crew Kevin Stittle and Coach Rob Fox

CYA Male Athlete of the Year

The Male Athlete of the Year is awarded to an individual athlete or crew with a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition and who has brought recognition to Canadian competitive sailing.

The 2008 recipients of the CYA Male Athlete of the Year award are Oskar Johansson of Oakville Ontario and Kevin Stittle of Orangeville, Ontario.

Oskar, has sailed all his life. His competitive sailing career started when he was 14 while racing Lasers out of The Oakville Yacht Squadron. Oskar went to the 2004 Olympics in Athens and finished 15th.  He is also a Pan American Games Gold Medalist in the Sunfish and a 5 x Canadian National champion in the Tornado. (02-06).

Kevin started sailing at the age of 4 as a family sport at the cottage and as he says the rest is history. Kevin previously was a high level windsurfer.  He has won multiple Canadian titles, represented Canada at the Youth Worlds in the Mistral class, and went to the Pan American Games in the Hobie 16.  Kevin made the transition from a National Team carded athlete in the Mistral to a Tornado crew almost effortlessly, evidence of high level of talent.

This Tornado team has had an amazing year including finishing 4th at the Holland Regatta, 2nd at the World Championship and placing 4th at the 2008 Olympic Games.

 Steve McBride

CYA Coach of the Year

The CYA Coach of the Year award was established in 1998 to recognize an instructor/coach who has contributed to the advancement of sailing at the club/school level.

The 2008 recipient of the CYA Coach of the Year award is Steve McBride, of Victoria, BC.

Steve’s joy of sailing and dedication to people, young and old, creates an infectious thrill for the members of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club Race team.  He provides motivation and support for each sailor tailored by his sensitivity to each individual’s need.  He has been invaluable in transforming the programs at Royal Victoria Yacht Club into professional, exciting and fun times. Under his leadership, participation in the junior race team has nearly doubled and athlete’s results have improved remarkably, with strong performances at the provincial, national and international levels. Steve gives freely of his time and enthusiastically promotes competitive sailing throughout our club membership and the local sailing community.   In addition to coaching our junior athletes, Steve also works with our paralympic sailing team, masters Laser team and other local classes.  Steve has a visionary capacity to turn people on to sailing and helps them believe in parts of themselves they do not even know exist.

The positive impact of his coaching and management has been felt by all members affiliated with the junior and Instructional Sailing programs.

 Tracy Terry

CYA Volunteer of the Year

The CYA Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1991 to recognize outstanding contributions by CYA volunteers.

The 2008 recipient of the CYA Volunteer of the Year award is Tracy Terry, of Victoria, British Columbia.

Tracy has dedicated countless years to growing the sport of sailing on a national, provincial and local level. Tracy has been instrumental in the developments of the CYA Training programs.

Tracy was the CYA VP Training from 2003 until 2007. Tracy has been a member of the CYA Learn to Sail Committee since 1997 and the chair since 2002. In her tenure as VP Training she was responsible for the development and implementation of the current Training Policy Handbook and the recertification policy for instructors. In addition, Tracy has been instrumental in the progression of the CBET (Competency Based Education Training) Transition. Tracy has overseen the course development and implementation of the Fundamental Course, the Learn to Race Program and the development and piloting of the new Learn to Sail Coach Course and Program Manager Module.

Tracy has been involved with sailing as both an instructor and racer since the 1980s. Tracy is currently the Regional Cadet Sail Training Program Director for the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific), a position she has held since 1998. She is responsible for all sail and powerboat training program designs, development plans, implementation plans and program evaluations for BC Sea Cadet Corps and a Cadet Summer Training Centre.

Most recently, Tracy has been working on the creation of a boat rescue course and manual geared specifically for sailing.

Tracy is a true ambassador for the sport of sailing.

 Robert Davis

Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award (Male)

This award was donated to the CYA in 1997 by the Burk family to honor the memory of Bill Burk, their father, an active promoter of youth sailing in the Montreal’s West Island region. As of 2003, this award may recognize a top male and female sailor.

The 2008 recipient of the Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award (Male) is Robert Davis, of Kingston, ON.

Robert is a member of the 2008 Canadian Youth Sailing Team and the 2008 Canadian Youth World Sailing Team.  Despite injury this year, Robert remained dedicated and diligent in his efforts to improve as a Laser Sailor.  His results over the past two years have remained consistently strong, including 14th place at the Volvo ISAF Youth World Sailing Championship, 17th at CORK and 3rd at the CYA Youth National Championship.  Coach Corey Lynam is quoted as saying that Robert has developed “from a typical young Byte sailor to undoubtedly the top youth Laser sailor in the country.”

 Mobility Cup

CYA City of Kingston Regatta of the Year

This award recognizes a regatta whereupon all aspects of race management have resulted in an overall organizational success.

The 2008 recipient of the CYA City of Kingston Regatta of the Year is Mobility Cup hosted by Pointe Claire Yacht Club and Association Québécoise de Voile Adaptée.

The Mobility Cup has become a truly international event. Every summer competitors come from across Canada and the United States as well as Europe and as far away as New Zealand.  Billed as a "regatta of possibilities" Mobility Cup´s inspiring format brings sailors that may have never sailed before to the start line with Mobility Cup champions that have gone on to represent Canada in the Paralympic Games. The Pointe Claire Yacht and AQVA aimed high in their planning and the event exceeded expectations.

 Nepean Sailing Club

William Abbott Senior Trophy – Sail Training Program of the Year

In 1991, at the second annual CYA Sail Training Symposium, the Sarnia Yacht Club donated a trophy in honour of William Abbott Senior, who as well as being one of Canada’s best known yacht builders, has contributed significantly to sail training at Sarnia Yacht Club.  The purpose of the trophy is to recognize the many fine programs run by dedicated volunteers throughout Canada and to share the information among clubs for the improvement of their sail-training programs.

The 2008 recipient of the William Abbott Senior Trophy is Nepean Sailing School, Nepean, Ontario.

The Nepean Sailing School’s Volunteer Instructor Program has been developed to improve the quality of instructional skills of students interested in becoming instructors. They run a sailing for Community Groups program that is designed to introduce students to the basics of water safety and the world of dinghy sailing. The school has been awarded the title of a Learn to Sail and an Adaptive Sail Development training Center by Ontario Sailing.

The first annual O’pen Bic Canadian Cup “un-regatta” was hosted by the Nepean Sailing School. Its purpose was to introduce a new format for youth sailing in a unorthodox and fun way. They are one of the first Canadian Sailing school to adopt the O’Pen Bic into its Learn to Sail Program.

 Ontario Sailing's Boom Program

Recreation Event Award

This award was established in 1997 to recognize a club, an organization, an individual or a group that has contributed to the promotion of recreational sailing in Canada.

The 2008 Recreation Event Award is awarded to the Ontario Sailing BOOM Program.

The BOOM Program has been successfully teaching kids and adults how to sail since the mid 1970’s and has trained approximately 30,000 how to sail in its history. The summer of 2008 was very successful teaching 700 kids and adults, able bodied and people with disabilities the CYA White Sail program and bringing sailing to remote communities and a variety of populations across Ontario and Canada.  The service area for the BOOM program in 2008 included; communities as far west as Chatham and Kincardine, as far east as Ottawa and Cornwall, as far north as Little Current and New Liskeard and many communities in between. In addition, the Access Boom program partnered with NSYA to offer programming for sailors with a disability in the communities of Mabou and Guysborough in Nova Scotia. Visiting 31 communities traveling 60,000 km and training 700 people with only 10 instructors is no small feat.

In addition to the awards presented in Kingston on October 25th; the following awards will be presented the recipients’ respective Provincial Sailing Association’s Annual General Meeting:

 Isabella Bertold

Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award (Female)

This award was donated to the CYA in 1997 by the Burk family to honor the memory of Bill Burk, their father, an active promoter of youth sailing in the Montreal’s West Island region. As of 2003, this award may recognize a top male and female sailor.

The 2008 recipient of the Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award (Female) is Isabella Bertold, of Surrey, British Columbia.

Marvin McDill Memorial Award

The Marvin McDill Memorial Award was established to honour the man who returned Canada to the America’s Cup Competition in 1983.  Also known as the Canadian Sailing Team Rookie of the Year Award, the Marvin McDill Award is presented annually to the athlete/crew with the best results at their first Open World Championship as a member of the Canadian Sailing Team.

The 2008 recipient of the Marvin McDill Memorial Award is Isabella Bertold, of Surrey, British Columbia.

 Canadian Optimist Championships

Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management

This award, donated by the Ontario Sailing Association, was established in 1993. Emblematic of excellence in race management, the Chisholm Trophy recognizes the club or association responsible for the regatta with the best-managed races during the current year.

The 2008 recipient of the Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management is Lunenburg Yacht Club – Canadian Optimist Championships.

 Lee Parkhill

Nathan R. Cowan Memorial Award for Developing Sailors

Friends and family of Nathan Cowan donated this award to CYA in 2002 to honour the memory of Nathan Cowan, a Canadian Sailing Team member, who died tragically in a car accident on February 16, 2002. In 2002, after years of determination and persistence, Nathan finally achieved his goal of making the National Team.  Nathan’s friends and family have designed the criteria of this award in order to support athletes like Nathan, and help them through these years of hard work.

The 2008 recipient of the Nathan R. Cowan Memorial award is Lee Parkhill, of Oakville, Ontario.

ISAF Council Meeting Concludes In Madrid

Olympic strategy and qualification, Youth Worlds expansion, new ISAF Classes and Kiteboarding were all on the Agenda for the ISAF Council on day ten of the ISAF Annual Conference in Madrid, Spain.

Following yesterday’s decision on the equipment for the sailing events at London 2012, the Olympic theme continued on Saturday morning as the ISAF Council started the day by considering the Submissions relating to future strategy towards the Olympic Sailing Competition. Events Committee chairman Bjorn UNGER (SWE) introduced Submission 082-08, proposing an overhaul of ISAF’s future Olympic strategy. “This is perhaps the most important issue we have. We heard in our discussions yesterday that strategy was mentioned many, many times,” he said.

The Submission received a significant amount of support around the table. Class representitive Jeff Martin (GBR) commented, "One of reasons for supporting this is to create a longer term process in the build up to the selection of equipment, so the classes that aren’t Olympic have the chance to display what they can possibly offer the Olympics.”

Eric TULLA (PUR) added, “It’s important we make plans with sufficient lead time to prepare ourselves for future Games.”

Following these recommendations, Submission 082-08 was passed by Council.

Youth Worlds

The Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship was the next issue on the table. The Youth World Championship Sub-Committee and Events Committee recommended the expansion of the championship to include an additional Open High Performance Dinghy event sailed in the 29er. “Our philosophy with the championship has been to evolve over time,” explained Youth Worlds Sub-Committee chairman Fiona KIDD (CAN). “This is the way forward. The youth sailors of the world want a high performance dinghy and we should give it to them.”

Council agreed with this recommendation and approved Submissions 101-08 and 105-08 to add an Open High Performance Dinghy – 29er event to the Youth Worlds.

Returning to the Olympic Sailing Competition, the ISAF Council approved the Qualification System for 2012. The system follows the same format used for the 2004 and 2008 Games. Qualification will take place over two events, with 75% of national places decided at the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships and the remaining 25% at the 2012 Class World Championships (or Continental Championships if approved by ISAF). Full details will be published on the ISAF Olympic microsite www.sailing.org/olympics shortly.

Looking at equipment issues, the Council supported the recommendations of the Equipment Committee to approved applications from the Kiteboarding Association and O’pen Bic Association for ISAF International Class Status. The application from the Maxi Class for International status was deferred, whilst applications from both the X-41 Class Association and Melges 32 Class Association for ISAF Recognized Status were approved.

ISAF President Göran PETERSSON (SWE) ended the Council meeting by paying tribute to the hosts of this year’s ISAF Annual Conference, the Real Federación Española de Vela and presented an engraved glass decanter to Gerardo POMBO (ESP), the President of the Spanish Federation.

Following the conclusion on the Council meeting, the ISAF General Assembly will be held in Madrid this afternoon. This will include the election of the ISAF President and the seven Vice-Presidents for 2009-2012. Full details at www.sailing.org/generalassembly.

ISAF Meeting microsite - www.sailing.org/meetings 

ISAF

January 2009

Happy New Year 2009

With snow on the ground in all our traditional boating centers from Victoria to St Johns Newfoundland it is hard to visualize that we will be sailing in four months time. However January, February and March are traditional boat show months starting with the Toronto International Boat Show January 9th through 18th. This will be followed with boat shows in Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax, Winnipeg and most major centers where there is a boating community. If you get a chance to visit one of the shows please drop in and visit your provincial sailing association booth. The knowledgeable staff and volunteers will inform you on the wide variety of programs the CYA and its partner PSA’s will be running during the summer of 2009.

Volunteers required:

The Canadian Yachting Association is in the process of reorganizing itself as it moves from a functional to a strategic governance model. Volunteers are needed for committees reporting to the Board of Directors and for working committees, councils and work groups who work closely with staff and report to the Executive Director. The following are examples of some of the positions that are available.

Business Development Committee member

The Business Development Committee works closely with the Executive Director advising him/her on business aspects of the services the Canadian Yachting Association provides to its members. These include analyzing the demand for products and services that the CYA offers or intends to offer its members, assisting in fundraising activities to further the association’s programs, and helping develop public awareness programs which will raise the association’s profile among its members.

Qualifications:  Potential volunteers should have a background in business, marketing or merchandising. They should understand the role of the Canadian Yachting Association and its partner provincial sailing associations as the sport governing body for sailing in Canada. They should have a passion for sailing and should be able to volunteer up to five hours per month.

Training and Certification Committee member

The Training and Certification Committee works closely with the Technical Coordinator Training in his/her duties of overseeing all aspects of the training and certification programs provided by the CYA for instructors, coaches, race officials (including judges, umpires, and race officers). The committee works closely with specialist working groups who develop specialized training programs and define the certification requirements for sailing instructors, cruising instructors, judges, umpires and race officers. The committee reports to the Executive Director.

Qualifications:   Potential volunteers should hold CYA certification in one of the functional areas under this committee’s responsibility. Preferably they have served on a specialist working group or equivalent provincial sailing association committee. They should be prepared to view the programs of this area from a national perspective. They should have a passion for sailing and should be able to volunteer up to five hours per month.

Coaches Council

The Coaches Council represents high performance coaches to the Canadian Yachting Association. Its membership consists of coaches who are working with sailors at the elite club level, provincial or national team level. The Council works closely with the High Performance Director, and the Racing Coordinator and the Training Coordinator identifying training needs for high performance coaches, mentors new elite coaches and provides assistance in developing and implementing association policies as it pertains to coaches.

Qualifications:   Potential volunteers should have NCCP Level 3 certification and should be actively coaching at either the elite club coach level or higher. They should be prepared to view the programs of this area from a national perspective. They should be prepared to volunteer up to five hours per month.

Interested volunteers should submit a resume of their experience, information on their sailing background, contact information and the names of two references (one sailing and one general) to the Executive Director by e-mail .

Rule Books. New racing rules for 2009 – 2012

The 2009 – 2012 racing rules become effective on January 1, 2009. While that doesn’t impact upon us immediately (unless we are racing our boats in coastal British Columbia or competing at a mid winter regatta in the sunbelt) it is now time to purchase your new rule book and study the changes which have taken place from the previous version. You will not get much sympathy from the protest committee if you are not aware of the significant changes which have taken place to the mark rounding rule (rule18). CYA Rule books can be purchased from your provincial sailing association, from marine chandleries, and online at CYA Store http://store.sailing.ca.

Canadian Sailors attending Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, January 25-30

Canadian sailors with aspiration towards representing Canada at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be in full force at the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta January 25 – 30, 2009. Early entry lists show that aspiring sailors from Victoria to Halifax have already signed up in both the Olympic and Paralympic classes. The largest Canadian entry field will be in the Laser and Laser Radial classes. In addition to sailors there will be a large contingent of Canadian coaches led by Ken Dool, CYA’s High Performance Director and CYA national coaches Tom Wharton and Brian Todd. In addition many provincial sailing associations and a few member clubs will have coaches at the Miami OCR to provide coaching assistance to their sailors. Check the CYA website for results and reports from the regatta.

Pleasure Craft Operators Card: the deadline is nine months away

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to obtain your pleasure craft operators card then remember that Sept 15, 2009 is the critical date. After Sept 15, 2009 everyone operating a pleasure craft fitted with a motor must be in possession of the Pleasure Craft Operators Card. Failure to be able to produce one may result in a fine. CYA instructors are offering courses throughout Canada where you may write the exam leading to obtaining your card. Check the Getting Started section of CYA’s website for information on courses.

Staff Comings and Goings

Colleen Coderre: We are happy to welcome back Colleen who is our High Performance Coordinator from Maternity Leave. Colleen is the proud mother of a little girl, Julia. Colleen will be working closely with Ken Dool and Sarah Case-Moscrop in providing service to our sailing athletes.

Owen Bird: Owen left the employ of the CYA on December 15th to take an IT position with Residence Services at Queens University. We still expect to see a lot of Owen as he is an active CYA Master Learning facilitator in the dinghy program and a Pleasure Craft Operator Card instructor. Owen will also be providing contractor support services to the CYA until March 31, 2009.


March 2009

Canadian sailors hit the campaign trail for the London 2012 Olympics – Peter Wood

While I was coaching at the Miami OCR, a friend and personal assistant to one of the athletes I was coaching asked me why do sailors call their preparation to qualify for the Olympics a “campaign”. Golf and Tennis us the term “tour” while motor sports uses the term “circuit”.

For our Canadian Sailing Team the term “campaign” has many parallels to the road taken by political candidates as they seek elected office. The regattas can be likened to primaries. Strong showings in the early regattas show that you have talent to belong in the elite group who are going to make it to the starting line in the final selection trials. A weak showing and it may be time to consider your options. New sails, a new boat or even a new crew may be in the cards.

Then there are other aspects of the campaign logistics, coaching boat maintenance, and financing. In the case of the athletes I coach they were fortunate that a club member drove their boats to Florida for the cost of fuel. A second club member drove the boats home again for the cost of fuel. The travel expenses of their coach were substantially paid for by Ontario Sailing, while he donated his time and paid most of his out of pocket expenses for meals and incidentals.  Boat maintenance is another issue. One of the 2.4mR’s is leaking badly so it had to go into the shop for repairs after its return from Florida. 

Just like that politician seeking elected office fundraising is a major component of any sailor’s campaign (unless he just won 6-49).  The Miami mid winters and OCR cost the sailors I coach about $ 5,000 each. Add to that two other major North American regattas and you are looking at a cost of $ 15,000 each per year not including sails, yacht club fees. Add to the mix a European regatta with boat transport and boat charter fees and the costs ratchet up pretty quickly.

If you know of a sailor who is starting a campaign or continuing a campaign for London 2012 ask them how you can best support their program. I am sure they will appreciate it. If you don’t know any aspiring Olympic Sailors personally but would like to help please donate to the CYA’s Olympic Fund. We will insure that it will go to the greatest need. Contact us at

Long Term Athlete Development

The Canadian Yachting Association has recently initiated a project to review its Long Term Athlete Development Model. The LTAD is the model whereby young people entering sailing can follow a clearly defined path to excellence in sailing. The purpose of the LTAD is to provide guidance to sailors, their parents, their coaches and sailing administrators.

Initially CYA’s expert panel will review the athlete development model of other countries (sailing) and other sports (within Canada) as we build our athlete development matrix. When the stages of development have been finalized the expert group will work on optimum sailor programming for each stage. This is where the details of  what type of boat a sailor should using for training, how many hours of training, what types of competitions, if any, a sailor should participate in.  As part of the process the CYA will also be reviewing its programs and competitions. Some of the questions that the expert panel will be considering are: Are our current programs appropriate for each stage of athletes development? Do we have gaps in our program area? Where? What should we do to fill the gap? Do we have program duplication? If so should a program be dropped?

With respect to the competition review some of the questions the expert panel will be addressing include: Do we have appropriate competitions for the various age and skill levels of the sailors? Should some of our competitions be replaced with other competitions?  Where should the Youth World Sailing Championships and the Canada Games fit in our athlete Development Model?   

Through out the process there will be wide consultation with our top level coaches, with staff of provincial sailing associations, with clubs and with parents. The goal is have reports available at the end of June 2009 and mid September 2009. Implementation to commence following the Canadian yachting Association AGM in November 2009  

CYA Web Store

Looking for CYA merchandise? The CYA webstore is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at

store.sailing.ca

.  When you select merchandise just follow the online steps to check out. Any credit card information you provide is secure. Good luck shopping.

Briefly

Business Development Volunteers required:

The Canadian Yachting Association is in the process of reorganizing itself as it moves from a functional to a strategic governance model. Volunteers are needed for committees reporting to the Board of Directors and for working committees, councils and work groups who work closely with staff and report to the Executive Director. The following are examples of some of the positions that are available.

Business Development Committee member

The Business Development Committee works closely with the Executive Director advising him/her on business aspects of the services the Canadian Yachting Association provides to its members. These include analyzing the demand for products and services that the CYA offers or intends to offer its members, assisting in fundraising activities to further the association’s programs, and helping develop public awareness programs which will raise the association’s profile among its members.

Qualifications:  Potential volunteers should have a background in business, marketing or merchandising. They should understand the role of the Canadian Yachting Association and its partner provincial sailing associations as the sport governing body for sailing in Canada.  They should have a passion for sailing and should be able to volunteer up to five hours per month.

Interested volunteers should submit a resume of their experience, information on their sailing background, and contact information to the Executive Director by e-mail .

TAKE THE HELM OF ONE OF CANADA’S PREEMINENT SPORT ORGANIZATIONS.

Executive Director

The Canadian Yachting Association is Canada’s national sailing authority.  Based in Kingston it oversees sailing activities across this great country.  On their behalf we are seeking to recruit an Executive Director to lead this critically important organization through its next phase of development.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will be responsible for the total management of the CYA.  Working with our provincial authorities, Sport Canada, various yacht clubs, volunteers, sailors and elite athletes, you will chart the course of this storied organization as it strives to build the sailing capacity throughout Canada.  Ultimately the goals will be to embed sailing as a lifelong activity for many of your constituencies and to develop elite athletes so that world championships and Olympic medals can be won.

As the ideal candidate, you will be a passionate sailor with very strong communication skills, in both official languages.  Comfortable and experienced in running a business, you will have an entrepreneurial drive that ensures success follows all your endeavors.  High energy, strong management skills, an engaging personality and a commitment to excellence will all be attributes people see in you. 

This is a terrific opportunity for an enterprising sailor who wants to rebuild Canada’s international reputation as one of the world’s leading sailing powers.  Through your leadership, the CYA wants to see growth in participation and growth in victories.  Many say these two goals are incompatible, we disagree.  We want you to prove us right.

For the right individual this will be a dream job.  Great environment, supportive board of directors, energized staff, and a broad mandate all combine to create a recipe for winning.  Complement this with a competitive compensation package and a fabulous location and you have the platform to build an enviable success story.

Come join us on our voyage at CYA.   To explore this opportunity further, please contact Terra O’Bryan in our Halifax office at 902.424.1117 or submit your resume online at www.rayberndtson.ca/en/careers/8405

April 2009

Volunteers required:

Volunteers required:

The Canadian Yachting Association is in the process of reorganizing itself as it moves from a functional to a strategic governance model. Volunteers are needed for committees reporting to the Board of Directors and for working committees, councils and work groups who work closely with staff and report to the Executive Director. The following are examples of some of the positions that are available.

Business Development Committee member

The Business Development Committee works closely with the Executive Director advising him/her on business aspects of the services the Canadian Yachting Association provides to its members. These include analyzing the demand for products and services that the CYA offers or intends to offer its members, assisting in fundraising activities to further the association’s programs, and helping develop public awareness programs which will raise the association’s profile among its members.

Qualifications:  Potential volunteers should have a background in business, marketing or merchandising. They should understand the role of the Canadian Yachting Association and its partner provincial sailing associations as the sport governing body for sailing in Canada. They should have a passion for sailing and should be able to volunteer up to five hours per month.

Interested volunteers should submit a resume of their experience, information on their sailing background, and contact information to the Executive Director by e-mail

National Competitions

Sailors, Coaches, Officials, Families and Volunteers welcome to these events as highlighted by the CYA!

 
June  
25-28 Laser North American Championship - Buffalo Canoe Club, ON

 
July  
3-5 Laser Canadian Championship - Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, BC
17-19 CYA Sail West / Sail West de l ‘ACY Battleford’s Sailing Club, SK Saskatchewan Sailing Clubs Association Sponsorship opportunities are available! Find out more: .
25-26 29er Class Canadian Championship Kingston Yacht Club, ON

 
August/ September
1-6

CYA Youth National Sailing Championship / Championnat national junior de voile de l”ACY
Royal Victoria Yacht Club, BC. Sponsorship opportunities are available! Find out more: .
15-22 2009 Canada Games / jeux du Canada - Sailing event at Summerside Yacht Club, PEI      
18- Sept 5 2009 Laser World Championships - St. Margaret Sailing Club, NS
19-27 CORK International & CORK Olympic Classes Regatta - Kingston, ON     CORK / Sail Kingston
23-29 Canadian Optimist Dinghy Championships –Royal Victoria Yacht Club, BC
31-Sept 4 Mobility Cup - Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club – Toronto, ON
Sept CYA Women’s National Keelboat Championships – West Vancouver Yacht Club, BC (pending application) 

 
October
1-4 CYA Laser / Radial National Qualifier Regatta – BC

See also ISAF calendar of Graded events in Canada in 2009.

2010 CYA Event Hosting

CYA Event Hosting Applications are being accepted now for these events in 2010:

CYA Youth National Championships – Open to Central region (ON, QC)
CYA Sail West – Open to AB venue
CYA Sail East –Open to Atlantic (NB, PE, NS, NL) venue
CYA Women’s National Keelboat Championships – No regional rotation in place

If interested in hosting one of these CYA events in 2010, please submit to CYA office by May 15th 2009:

a completed CYA Event Host Application;
Letter of endorsement from Provincial Sailing Association.

Briefly

If you are in the market for a new Outboard motor this season you should check out the Mercury Marine information on the CYA website. Clicking your mouse on the Mercury icon accesses the information. This program may offer you large savings.

Congratulations to Canadian Sailing Team member Paul Tingley! Paul is one of twenty amateur athletes selected from across the country to receive a bursary from AthletesCAN and the Investors Group.

Congratulations are also in order for Canadian Sailing Team member Chris Cook, who continues to be supported by Rona’s “Growing With Our Athletes Program”

If you are procrastinating about getting your PCOC card check out the CYA’s website under “Getting Started” for a course near you. There are only 5 months left before the card becomes mandatory. (instructors list your course on our website for free)

Looking for information on GPS and Coastal Navigation. The CYA Seminar Series Speakers Notes – GPS and Coastal Navigation is available from the CYA store at $ 25.00 plus GST & PST. www.store.sailing.ca

The CYA Appeal Cases have been revised to comply with the 2009 – 2012 version of the Racing Rules of Sailing and are downloadable off the CYA website.

Fogh Marine Renews its Sponsorship Agreement with CYA.

The Canadian Yachting Association is proud to announce that Fogh Marine has renewed its sponsorship agreement with CYA for 2009. The agreement provides direct benefits to members of the Canadian Sailing Team and to CYA certified instructors and coaches. “Fogh Marine has been an important long time supporter of the Canadian Yachting Association and the CST” stated Peter Wood Interim Executive Director.  Their financial assistance helps reduce our dependency on government. We also know they have the products and the customer service to serve our members especially those on the Canadian Sailing Team.

Training and Certification Committee

The Training and Certification Committee, one of three operating committees approved at the October 2008 Annual General Meeting has recently had its Terms of Reference approved by the Board of Directors and has appointed its membership.

The Committee serves as an oversight committee insuring that the association’s training and certification programs are consistent and of high standard in all of its functional lines, Learn to Sail, Learn to Cruise, Race Officials, Judges and Umpires.

The chair of the committee is Kim Foley of Kingston.  Kim is a Master Learning Facilitator in the Learn to Sail program and a former director of CYA. Members are Kim Moffatt of Ottawa, Kim is a Cruising and Power Boat Instructor Evaluator, Warren Nethercote of Halifax, Warren is an International Judge, Tracy Terry of Victoria BC, Tracy is a Master Course Conductor in the Learn to Sail Program and a former CYA Vice President, and Peter Van Muyden of  Stoney Plain, Alberta, Peter is an International Race Officer.  

Staff Changes at Canadian Yachting Association

Tanya Robinson, Accounting and Administrative Assistant left the Canadian Yachting Association for a position in the Department of Finance at Queens University.  Tanya joined the CYA in December 2003 as a one maternity replacement and continued for more than five years. We will miss her and wish her best in her new career.

Cheryl Rattie, Accounting and Administrative Assistant joins us from the Napanee Beaver one of Canada’s oldest independent newspapers. (Founded in 1870). Cheryl started as a typesetter but has risen through the ranks to be the Business Manager for the paper. Cheryl will be joining us on April 27.

 Mattie Crothers, Student Intern, Maddie is a CYA sailing instructor and graduating Marketing and Business student from St. Lawrence College in Kingston. She is working closely with Sarah Moscrop on the domestic regatta program and is helping other staff where needed. After her internship is finished she will teaching at Kingston Yacht Club where she will be the assistant head instructor for the 2009 season.

CYA Sailing and Cruising Instructors Ambassador’s for the Sport – Peter Wood

I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to drop into a FUNdamental Course which is the first course in the CYA’s Learn to Sail Coach course. The twenty five hour course teaches the new coach many skills which they will use daily at their sail training centre and also will use in their careers after teaching or coaching sailing. Among the topics the course teaches are safety skills to ensure that the facility and sailing venue are safe for the sailors they are coaching. It also teaches coaches the need for and how to structure a practice so the sailors learn in a structured approach. Winging a lesson plan just isn’t  acceptable.  During the course the coaches learn from each other as they do presentations and solicit feed back from their fellow candidates. They become confident public speakers and learn to do presentations with ease.

Training instructors and coaches is an important priority for the Canadian Yachting Association and the provincial sailing associations.  The first interactions between novice sailors and their instructors or coaches will set the stage of whether they will continue for a week or for life. If the novice is taught by a knowledgeable, skilled, confident instructor who avoids overloading the sailor with too much information then the end product will be a competent confident sailor. These sailors then become competent crew, boat owners and club members thus helping perpetuate our sailing community and keeping our clubs strong.


All CYA instructors and coaches have to go through a thorough training program where they are evaluated for their sailing skills, their teaching skills and their skill detection and correction abilities. In addition they are required to have standard first aid, a Boat Rescue Course, the Pleasure Craft Operators card and a coaching ethics for dinghy instruction.  Cruising Instructors require a VHF radio operator’s certificate, First Aid and CPR and a Pleasure Craft Operators Card as well as the ability to demonstrate single handed sailing on a small keelboat. These standards are consistent from St Johns Nlfd to Victoria BC.


The end result is that the CYA trained sailor is a safe sailor. We can thank our instructors and those who took the training a generation ago for our record.

May 2009

Briefly

Call for Nominations to the Canadian Yachting Association Board of Directors

The Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) is the national sports organization representing the sport of Sailing in Canada.  It represents all participants, including recreational sailors, and high performance athletes at the club, provincial, national and international level. 

The mission statement of the CYA is: to make sailing a lifelong activity for Canadians through Excellence in Competition and Training. 

ROLE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

The Board has the responsibility to oversee the conduct of the business of the Canadian Yachting Association and to supervise the Executive Director, who is delegated responsibility for the day-to-day conduct of business of the CYA. Any responsibility not delegated to the Executive Director or a committee of the Board remains with the Board. 

The CYA Board will implement the following tasks of effective stewardship: 

  • Define CYA’s Strategic Framework (mission, vision, values, goals, operating principles, key success measures), approve key deliverables, organizational structure, budgets and financial statements, and monitor performance against plan;
  • Develop, implement and evaluate governance policies and processes and implement assessment and control systems to ensure compliance to these policies and processes;
  • Define the roles, responsibilities and authority of the Executive Director. Hire, monitor and annually evaluate the performance of the Executive Director in accordance with the CYA Human Resource Policies;
  • Establish Board Committees and approve their Terms of Reference;
  • Communicate to stakeholders and the public and make information available upon request in a transparent and effective way;
  • Ensure effective orientation of new Directors, ensure they understand their role and are informed of all policies of the Board;
  • Ensure Board self-evaluation and succession plan and replace any vacancies that may occur.

The following principles will guide the Board in its work: 

The Board promotes itself as a unified team and agrees to support and promote each other and the decisions of the Board.  The Board has “one voice” when communicating to its stakeholders and the Executive Director.

  • Board committees are accountable to the Board.
  • Operational committees are accountable to the Executive Director.  The Executive Director may choose to appoint a senior staff member to the committee and they would report to the Executive Director.   Board members may serve on operational committees when requested by the Executive Director/ staff. 

The Board of Directors is comprised of the President, six Directors at large, and one Athlete Director.   

The President of the CYA is elected for a 2 year term, and each of the Directors is elected for a 3 year term, and we consequently have a staggered term Board.  Each year, two Directors complete their term.  This year nominations for the President and two Directors are now open.   

It is the Board of Directors intention to improve diversity on the Board.  This includes gender, Canada’s official languages, and experience with sailors with a disability.  We can improve our current Board’s diversity with candidates who are female, Francophone, and have experience with sailors with disability, or are a sailor with disability. 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NOMINEES 

The selection of candidates will be based on desired characteristics, such as:

  • independence
  • a sound business and/or professional background
  • excellent network and contacts
  • a record of organizational accomplishment
  • a record of community service
  • a highly respected reputation with past co-workers and teammates
  • passionate about sport and its impact on Canadians
  • an understanding and general acceptance of the CYA’s strategic goals and an ability and willingness to further them
  • an understanding and appreciation of the CYA’s internal and external audiences.
  We are looking for individuals who possess core skills as well as excellent strategic skills, and are capable of seeing the “Big Picture”.   People who have a passion for sailing.  

Any interested individuals who are prepared to help shape the future of the sport of Sailing in Canada should send their name contact information and qualifications to the Nominating Committee Chair at   or by regular mail to: 

Chair, Nominating Committee

Canadian Yachting Association
53 Yonge Street
Kingston, ON
K7M 6G4 
Fax 613-545-3045

George Blanchard appointed CYA Councilor of Honour

The Board of Directors at their Board meeting on March 26, 2009 passed a motion appointing George Blanchard as a CYA Councilor of Honour. It is an honour well deserved for a sailor whose service to the sailing community spans more than 75 years. George started sailing 83 years ago at the Oakville Boat Works under the supervision of Captain Regan. In 1933 he joined the Queen City Yacht Club and subsequently joined the National Yacht Club in 1934 and the Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club in 1956 where he has been a member ever since (life member since 1998). He also joined the Boulevard club in 1958. 

George has an extraordinary record of race management starting in 1963 when he was first elected fleet captain at Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club. He has been significantly involved in the organization of more than 50 International major regattas throughout southern Ontario including World Championships in Olympic Classes and other ISAF recognized international classes, North American championships and Canadian Championships in many classes.  He was a key member of the Bravo Race Committee at the 1976 Olympic Games in Kingston Ontario. He still attends the TS & CC ice breaker regatta just to make sure the team is doing the job properly. 

George’s sailing career includes boat time in many famous dinghies and racing keelboats such as the International 14, Albacore, International 505, Finn, Lightning, Soling and Sharks. His favourite boat is the Wayfarer where he has sailed in twelve World Championships and seven British Championships as well as many Canadian and North American Championships. 

In being appointed a Councilor of Honour George joins a select group of Canadian sailors including Paul Henderson, Past president of ISAF and Stephen Tupper a former National Coach and long time Executive Director of British Columbia Sailing, who has supported our community. 

Canadian Yachting Association’s Green Initiatives

Sailing is a model of a sport and recreational activity which is environmentally sustainable. We use the natural sources of the wind to propel our boats and are always seeking new equipment and technologies to improve our boat’s performance. 

The Canadian Yachting Association is doing its part to protect our environment for future generations. We have in 2008 – 2009 with the support of Mercury Marine switched to four stroke engines on our coach boats. These engines use considerably less fuel than the engines they replaced and also do not contaminate the environment with unburnt engine oil which was major concern of the two stroke engines they replace. 

In the office the CYA is providing more and more of its information on the website www.sailing.ca rather than printing the information in paper form and destroying it when the information becomes obsolete. The revised 2009 – 21012 appeals book is an example of information that is now downloadable from our website.  

Instructors are now able to go to the member’s area and access instructor materials. In the cruising instructor area the latest exams, and revised instructor standards are now available on the website. Instructor records are now being transfer electronically between our provincial sailing associations and the CYA office. This saves the CYA record management labour expenses and frees up physical space in filing cabinets.  

Later this year we will be looking at replacing our individual student proficiency certificates with a single certificate which will hold all certification seals a sailor can earn in the Learn to Sail program. Therefore instead of having six or more certificates, each for achieving a single level, a student will be able to display all certifications achieved on a single certificate. This will save paper and the trees that go into the paper. 

The CYA strives to develop sustainable practices in its day to day management of its business.

Judges Wanted

Nepean Sailing Club (Ottawa) is looking for:

  • CYA certified judges for the Ultimate 20 North Americans, 17 to 20 September.
  • And CYA certified judges for the NOD (Nepean One Design) on 20/21 June expecting these fleets. Sharks,  505s  Ultimate 20s    Fireballs  J-24s,   Albacores, Kirby 25s       Lasers, C&C 27s and  Tanzer 22s  

Contact  Barbara James  at

Show off Your CYA Colours

Check out the CYA store on our website http://www.sailing.ca When in our website draw down the home menu (located on the left hand side of the screen) and then click on “store” We have golf shirts, fleeces, and CST ball caps as well as resource materials for both training and racing.

CYA Announces - Volvo Ocean Race Game Challenge;

Join the Volvo Ocean Race online video game. Race each leg of the Volvo Ocean Race against sailors from around the world. Over 200,000 sailors participate including past Olympians and many members of the Canadian Sailing Team. Throughout Canada racing and cruising sailors from Opti level to CST level, to retired “old salts” have been entering their virtual boats and racing in the Volvo Ocean Race Challenge. It is fun to play and registration is free. 

CYA has rounded up some prizes and we are throwing out the challenge to see which Canadian sailors finish highest in the 8th leg from Galway Ireland to Marstrand Sweden. This short leg starts on June 6th. 

Here is how you enter: 

Go to www.volvooceanracegame.org  and enter your boat (if you are not currently registered). Send CYA an e-mail at with your name, your contact information, your boat name. In conjunction with Canadian Yachting Magazine we will be awarding the following prizes: 

  • Top Canadian Sailor
  • Best Junior Racer (18+ under)
  • Top Optimist Sailor
  • Best Finish by a Sailing Instructor
  • George Blanchard Award - Top Masters sailor (65 + over)
  • Inter club challenge – Combined top three finishes from a club
  • School challenge – Combined top three finishes from a school

You could be eligible for a number of prizes including. 

  • A free registration at major events across Canada including:
    • Canadian Youth Championships
    • Optimist Canadians
    • CORK
    • Laser Radial NQR
  • Complementary subscriptions to Canadian Yachting Magazine
  • Clothing
  • Free instructor registration and insurance

Join us for the prize presentation at the Canadian Yachting Association annual meetings and dinner in Toronto in November. Details on the prizes you can win: www.sailing.ca 

Full info on the Volvo Ocean Race Game: www.volvooceanracegame.org

July 2009

2009 Laser World Championship update

It’s been a hectic spring at the St. Margaret Sailing Club (SMSC) in Nova Scotia. In preparation for the 2009 Nautel Laser World Championships, Commodore Wayne Trowse has overseen hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction.

“The breakwater, new marinas, and new sail training centre are part of the legacy for the province of the Nautel Laser Worlds,” says Trowse. “Someone told me it is the single largest construction project ever undertaken at a Nova Scotia sailing club. It has definitely been interesting!”

The 2009 Nautel Laser Worlds take place from August 19th to September 5th on St. Margaret’s Bay, hosted by SMSC. There are 180 athletes competing in the Worlds from August 20th to the 26th. There are 400 registered to compete in the Masters which open on September 30th and run through to September 5th with one lay day. 

“I’ll admit it has been a huge undertaking in the short period we’ve had,” says Barbara Pike, co-chair of the event with Rod Millar. “We have hundreds of volunteers, but could definitely use more. So if anyone in the sailing community is going to be in the neighbourhood in late August, early September we welcome all hands!”

Briefly

The Summer is going by with a blur. August will soon be upon us and with it the regatta championship season. The Canadian Youth Sailing Championships will be hosted by Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Aug x to y. The Canada Games sailing events will run Aug 15 to 22 in Summerside PEI. Hundreds of sailors from around the world will descend upon St Margaret’s Bay Sailing Club south of Halifax for the World Laser Championships and World Master Laser Championships. Next door to the CYA offices in Kingston, Cork will again be running three weeks of great races for the 40th year. Everywhere in between Victoria and St Johns Nfld member clubs are running provincial, regional, and national one-design championships. It wouldn’t happen without our greatest asset, the volunteers in our sailing system, those people who volunteer at the club level. It seems every club has a core of 20 to 50 members (and sometimes more) who you can count on to make things happen. Thank them next time you cross the finish line or see them hammer in hand repairing the club dock.

Nominations for CYA Board of Directors

The CYA Annual General Meeting will be held on November 21, 2009 in Toronto. At that time two directors at large plus the president will be elected. The directors will serve a three year term and may be re-elected for a second term. The president serves for a two year term and may be re-elected for a second term. If you are interested in serving as a director or are aware of individuals who may be could you please make the interest known to the chair of the nominating committee, Mr. Jim Dike ? To make sure the Board of Directors represents diversity within its membership women, sailors with a disability and sailors of a visible minority are especially encouraged to run.

Sailing included in Canada Sport Centre, Ontario

Ontario based members of the Canadian Sailing Team, and members of the Ontario Sailing Team will soon be able to access the sport science services of the Canada Sport Centre in Toronto as the result of a recent agreement between the Canadian Yachting Association, the Ontario Sailing Association, Royal Canadian Yacht Club and the Canada Sport Centre, Toronto. CYA will be financially contributing to the partnership which will include the hiring of a sailing coach to service the needs of Toronto based Canadian Sailing Team and Ontario Sailing Team members.

CYA welcomes new staff

The CYA welcomes Pamela Wangkhang as a part time bilingual receptionist/program assistant. Pamela will be available to be better service our members and the sailing in the “official language” of their choice. Pamela also reads and writes Spanish.

The CYA also welcomes back Jaime Van Wynsberghe as our membership program assistant for June, July, and August. Jaime is devoting her time to servicing members who need replacement Pleasure Craft Operator Cards and assuring that our instructors and coaches are properly registered for the sailing season. Jaime is a third year student at University of Waterloo.

Mercury Marine

Many of our clubs and members have been taking advantage of rebate offer provided by Mercury Marine. Royal Victoria Yacht Club recently purchased the Mercury DR 450 Dive & Rescue series of RIB. This boat is stronger than recreational ribs and therefore has a longer productive life and is more suitable for coaches and regatta rescue use.

Mercury Marine is a sponsor of the Canadian Sailing Team and can be accessed through our website

Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC).

There are only two months remaining before all boaters will require their Pleasure Craft Operators Card (Sept 15, 2009). Do you have yours? Check the Getting Started menu on the CYA website http://www.sailing.ca and click your mouse on Get your Pleasure Craft Operators Card. Then click your mouse on either find a course or find an instructor and follow the instructions on the screen. In June 2009 more than 1,500 boaters received there PCOC card through the CYA.

If you are a Pleasure Craft Operators Card Instructor have you added your courses to the CYA website? Check the Getting Started menu on the CYA website http://www.sailing.ca and click your mouse on Get your Pleasure Craft Operators Card. Click your mouse on find a course and follow the steps to add a course. It is free advertising.

General Motors “Making Dreams Possible” Club Coaching Grants

The Coaching Association of Canada is pleased to announce that the General Motors Making Dreams Possible High Performance Coach Grant applications are now back online!

Dedicated to supporting athletes at all levels through coaching excellence, General Motors’ Making Dreams Possible Program provides one hundred $2,000 club coaching grants and ten $10,000 high performance coach grants to community sport clubs and high performance coaches nationwide on an annual basis. The deadline for the Club Coaching Grants is September 21, 2009

Apply now and make your own dream possible – visit http://www.coach.ca/makingdreamspossible for more information and to submit an application today!

CYA Bank of Montreal Mastercard

Do you have a CYA Master card in your wallet? There are over 10,000 CYA BMO Affinity Mastercards outstanding but only 1,200 are used regularly by their cardholders. CYA receives a small payment to help support our programs every time you use the card. So when you have a choice of which card to use, use your CYA card and support your sailing organization.

YOUTH OLYMPIC TRAINING SEMINAR (YOTS) at CYA Youth National Championships

The CYA High Performance Director, Ken Dool, will be leading the Youth Olympic Training Seminar (YOTS) at - and during - the 2009 CYA Youth National Championships. The CYA Appointed Coach will:

  1. Pre-championship - Support Coaching to sailors without a Coach;
  2. Pre-championship - As needed - offer guidance to the coaching activities of the Training Groups / Teams, and provide mentorship as appropriate to the Coaches of Teams / Training Groups
  3. Pre-championship and during championship – Mentor to selected Apprentice Coach selected according an Apprentice Coach Mentorship Program (this program outlined below)
  4. During Championship – Observe Sailor, Coach and Official Activity on courses, providing a de-brief session in manner similar to that provided at Youth Worlds (Jim Saltonstall-style as at Youth Worlds). The Apprentice Coach will execute a role to assist the CYA Appointed Coach in collecting data for the day’s debrief sessions.


Through 20 years Ken has worked as Head Coach to the Canadian Sailing Team, Coach to 5 Canadian Olympic Teams, and High Performance Director to the CYA.

The CYA appreciates the partnership it holds with Host Venue Organization, Royal Victoria Yacht Club, and BC Sailing in delivery of CYA Coach Leadership at YOTS and CYA Youth Nationals in 2009.

Apprentice Coach Mentorship at YOTS and the CYA Youth National Championships

A benefit to the Host venue and region, the CYA will partner with the Host Venue and its Provincial Sailing Association to select one Coach to the role of Apprentice Coach to the CYA appointed Coach. Eligibility will be based on a combination of:

  • Coaching Certification;
  • A personal development plan indicating pursuit toward career in Coaching;
  • Registration with CYA; and
  • The Coach’s developing expertise and recognition as a up and coming leader who will impact sailors and their families to retain them in the sport, and offer exemplary guidance to them as they transition through progressive stages of development in the Athlete Development Framework.

Canada Summer Games 2009

Sailing was a sport at the first Canada Summer Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1969. It will appear at the 2009 edition of the Games out of the Summerside Yacht Club in Prince Edward Island during Week One of this summer’s Games. The regatta will be governed by rules defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing and will include Single-handed Laser and Double handed – 29er events for males and Single-handed Laser Radial and Double handed- 29er events for females.

Some Provincial Sailing Associations have selected and announced their sailors for their Canada Games Teams: Here are some athletes to watch for:

British Columbia

  • Isabella Bertold – Youngest ever member of Canadian Sailing Team, 4th place finish at 2008 ISAF Youth World Championships; 2007 CYA Youth Sailor of the Year
  • Kevin Grierson – Recognized as a Status member of the 2009 Canadian Sailing Team
  • Mark Pataky and Jon Scott – International experience at Optimist Dinghy World Championships, 2007 ISAF Youth World Championships

Ontario

  • Evert McLaughlin, Alanna Foscarini, Alison Ludzki – Multi-year members of the Canadian Youth Sailing Team. Alanna and Alison sailed in 2 ISAF Youth World Championships
  • Joanne Prokop – international experience has taken her to Status membership on the 2009 Canadian Sailing Team
  • Peter Soosalu – Sailed the 2007 ISAF Youth World Championships

Quebec

  • Eric and Alex Chouinard – sailed for Canada on the 2008 Youth World Team

Check the CYA website during the Games for results and stories from Summerside


Etobicoke Yacht Club Open Regatta to support Canadian Sailing Team

What

2009 Etobicoke Yacht Club Open and Level Regatta

The last major keel boat regatta in the Greater Toronto Area, the regatta attracts up to 120 boats competing in up to 16 classes on four courses. It is one of the largest regattas of the season and has a reputation for top-notch race management and great food and entertainment. Primarily amateur crews compete for prizes and flags, as well as standings in the overall LORC series. The event is also a major counter for a number of one design classes and has hosted a number of class championships over the years as part of the regatta. This year, the EYC Open will include the IRC Canadian Championships.

When

29-30 August 2009

Where

Racing – Lake Ontario south of Etobicoke Yacht Club

Shore Events – Etobicoke Yacht Club,

300 Humber Bay Park Road West,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M8V 3X7

Why

The EYC Open/Levels provides competitive racing at all skill levels and sizes and marks the closing celebration of the summer racing season.

New this year; the event is being held in support of the Canadian Sailing Team. Sponsorship funds support the athletes and coaches as they prepare for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Benefit for Sponsors


The quality of racing, typically great weather, famous steak dinner, Mt. Gay Rum Pour, and entertainment that usually goes on until early morning, ensures the event is always one of the most well attended. Therefore the regatta provides potentially major exposure to individuals from all levels of sailing and racing for our sponsors.

With support of the Olympic team, the EYC Open will be attracting mainstream media attention, which will offer added value and exposure to our sponsors that will go beyond a typical regatta.

Ian Bruce, lifelong sailor and designer named to the Order of Canada

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, announced on Canada Day the newest appointees to the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest Honour. Amongst the appointees is the Father of the Laser, Ian Bruce, an Industrial Designer by profession and a boat builder by occupation. Ian co-designer of the Laser dinghy, was named as an Officer of the Order of Canada, “For his contributions to the sport of sailing in Canada and abroad, notably for the design and development of high-performance crafts for young sailors.

With a concept in mind and a set of lines (drawings) from friend and fellow Canadian Bruce Kirby, he created in 1970 a boat, rig and manufacturing process that has essentially remained unchanged to this day and still represents the epitome of one-design sailing. By 1974, he had opened 9 majority-owned plants worldwide building the Laser and the rest is history.

He is also a passionate sailor having twice won the prestigious Prince of Wales Trophy in International Fourteens and twice represented his country in the Olympics in the Finn (Naples 1960) and the Star (Keil, 1972).

The award is in recognition of his service to sailing, both in Canada and Internationally, and in particular for his involvement in the design and development of high-performance boats for young sailors. During 40 years in the business, he has either designed or assisted in the design, development and building of all the following International or Recognized Classes: Finn, Fourteen, Contender, Laser, Optimist, Fireball, 470, Laser II, Tasar, Laser Radial, Byte and 29er. In the last instance he was part of a team assisting Julian Bethwaite in the development of the 29er, providing the design team with both his product design knowledge and his sailing experience. His own design, the Byte, is the male and female singlehander to be used in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

At 76, he is still sailing his Star and his company PS2000 in Montreal, in which he is fully active, builds the Optimist, the Club 420, the Megabyte, the Byte and the 29er.” Ian is a member of the Royal St Lawrence Yacht Club in Dorval, Quebec.

ISAF Event Grading & International Event Calendar

Does an event your club or class is planning to run in 2010 qualify for ISAF International Grading? Perhaps your event qualifies for listing on the International Calendar? Applications for listing on ISAF calendar and Requests for ISAF Grading are to be submitted to CYA for endorsement. Use this table for more information:

  Fleet Race Event Match Race Event
Grading Criteria Fleet ISAF Grade Criteria Match ISAF Rank Criteria
Calculating Grade Fleet ISAF Grade Calculation Match ISAF Rank Calculation
Grade / Rank Request Forms Fleet ISAF Grade Request Form Match ISAF Rank Request Form
Due at CYA by July 20 2009 5 months prior to event

International Hosting Program

Hosting a World Championship for an Olympic / Paralympic Class or Olympic Development Class might qualify your organization for eligibility under the CYA’s International Hosting Program. This program is made possible by CYA’s partnership with Canadian Heritage in the International Single Sport Event (ISSE) Component of their Hosting Program.  For an idea of what type of event might qualify for this publically funded program, see the ISSE Category Information. For information about eligibility and timelines for application to the program, contact CYA office.

August 2009

Briefly

Nominations for CYA Board of Directors

The CYA Annual General Meeting will be held on November 21, 2009 in Toronto. At that time two directors at large plus the president will be elected. The directors will serve a three year term and may be re-elected for a second term. The president serves for a two year term and may be re-elected for a second term. If you are interested in serving as a director or are aware of individuals who may be could you please make the interest known to the chair of the nominating committee, Mr. Jim Dike. To make sure the Board of Directors represents diversity within its membership women, sailors with a disability and sailors of a visible minority are especially encouraged to run. Nominations are to be sent to

Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC).

There is only one month remaining before all boaters will require their Pleasure Craft Operators Card (Sept 15, 2009). Do you have yours? Check the Getting Started menu on the CYA website http://www.sailing.ca and click your mouse on Get your Pleasure Craft Operators Card. Then click your mouse on either find a course or find an instructor and follow the instructions on the screen. In June 2009 more than 1,500 boaters received there PCOC card through the CYA.

If you are a Pleasure Craft Operators Card Instructor have you added your courses to the CYA website? Check the Getting Started menu on the CYA website http://www.sailing.ca and click your mouse on Get your Pleasure Craft Operators Card. Click your mouse on find a course and follow the steps to add a course. It is free advertising.

General Motors “Making Dreams Possible” Club Coaching Grants

The Coaching Association of Canada is pleased to announce that the General Motors Making Dreams Possible High Performance Coach Grant applications are now back online!

Dedicated to supporting athletes at all levels through coaching excellence, General Motors’ Making Dreams Possible Program provides one hundred $2,000 club coaching grants and ten $10,000 high performance coach grants to community sport clubs and high performance coaches nationwide on an annual basis. The deadline for the Club Coaching Grants is September 21, 2009

Apply now and make your own dream possible – visit http://www.coach.ca/makingdreamspossible for more information and to submit an application today!

Fogh Marine

Fogh Marine has been a strong supporter of the Canadian Yachting Association’s programs for many years offering discounts on teaching supplies to CYA instructors and supporting members of the Canadian Sailing Team. You can access Fogh Marine’s website directly from the CYA website by clicking on their logo. Check it out for the latest gear and clothing to put you in the top of the fleet.

Sailing’s Long Term Athlete Development Framework

First at CYA Youth Nationals, next at Canadian Optimist Dinghy Class Championships, this presentation has and is being made to inform parents, coaches, officials, and sailing’s leadership of the URGENCY for change –  to sailing’s programs, competition framework and overall culture, the OPPORTUNITY and VISION of the  Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD)  initiative for Sailing. It offers a simplistic diagram of the stages in Sailing’s LTAD and NEXT STEPS to align the LTAD framework as backbone to the CYA’s Strategic Plan, and a means to provide feedback.

Look for Sailing for Life – Sailing for Gold on www.sailing.ca. 

National Competitions

Results

While results never tell the whole story, they give a snapshot of number of races, who was there, and certainly the final story with finish positions.  Check out results from events so far this year!

09 Laser North Americans

09 Laser Canadians

09 2.4mR Canadians

09 CYA Sail West

09 29er Canadians 

Upcoming

2009 Canada Summer Games – Summerside, PE, August 15 to 21

09 CORK International - Kingston, ON, August 19 to 22

09 CORK OCR – Kingston, ON, August 23 to 27

09 Opti Canadians – Victoria, BC, August 23 to 29

09 Laser World Championships – St. Margaret’s Bay, NS, August 17 to September 5

09 Mobility Cup – Toronto, ON, August 31 to September 4

09 CYA Women’s National Keelboat Championships – West Vancouver, BC, September 11 to 13

CYA National Qualifier Regatta – Victoria, BC, October 1 to 4  

Successful Skud 18 Camp held at Royal Victoria Yacht Club

The Royal Victoria Yacht Club and the Canadian Sailing team hosted another Skud training camp in Victoria for Skud sailors Brenda Hopkin and John McRoberts. The camp focused on fitness testing, video analysis and of course time on the water. Canadian Sport Center Pacific personal were on hand to look after the sport science. James Brotherhood a sport physiologist headed up the testing which included VO2 max. The disabled sailors use a hand crank bicycle, as usual the tests are more fun to watch that doing.

Over in the video department Sam Blades was editing and separating the previous days video, we now have a method, using Dartfish, to have one camera in the boat and one run by the coach outside, they can be synched and set side by side on the computer screen to show the actions of the sailors in the boat and from the outside the cause and effect of those moves, certainly a cool training tool.

Back at RVicYC the wind was out and the heat was in but despite that we got 4 good days on the water, thanks to RVYC Sport Center coach Steve McBride who helped out with launching and coach boats, Steve had prepped the Skud prior to the event which enabled John and Brenda to work efficiently in the boat. We did get one good afternoon out in the Straight where a nice cool breeze of 12kts helped vary the training.

The week was topped off with a visit from Ken Dool who is in Victoria for the CYA Canadian Youth Champs.

John and Brenda will do one more intensive training session before they head to Weymouth for the first of the Paralympic test events, this will be followed by the IFDS Worlds in Athens in October – a busy schedule for the fall.

Brian Todd

Canadian Sailing Team

2009 Canadian Yachting Association Awards

The Canadian Yachting Association invites all Canadian sailors and their supporters to participate in recognizing Canada's top sailors, coaches, volunteers and events via the CYA Annual Awards.

Now is your chance to nominate outstanding sailors, athletes, coaches, race officials, volunteers and events that have contributed to the sport over the past year.  All nomination forms are due at the CYA office by September 27th, 2009 so download the necessary forms today!

The recipients of the 2009 CYA awards will be announced at the 2009 CYA Annual Rolex Awards Banquet which will be held in conjunction with the CYA AGM Weekend; November 21st, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario. Details about the CYA AGM Weekend and the Annual Rolex Awards Banquet will be available on the CYA website in the near future.

1) Rolex Sailor of the Year Award 
The Rolex Sailor of the Year Award, CYA's most prestigious award, is presented annually to a Canadian sailor for bringing recognition to Canadian sailing and the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA). 
More details and Nomination Form 

2) CYA Female Athlete of the Year Award 
The Female Athlete of the Year is awarded to an individual athlete or crew with a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition. 
More details and Nomination Form 

3) CYA Male Athlete of the Year Award 
The Male Athlete of the Year is awarded to an individual athlete or crew with a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition. 
More details and Nomination Form 

4) Marvin McDill Memorial Award 
The Marvin McDill Award, named in honour of the person who organized Canada’s entry into 1983 America’s Cup is presented annually to the athlete/crew with the best results at their first Open World Championship as a member of the Canadian Sailing Team. 
More details and Nomination Form 

5) Nathan R. Cowan Memorial Award for Developing Sailors 
Friends and family of Nathan Cowan donated this award to the CYA in 2002 to honour the memory of Nathan Cowan, a Canadian Sailing Team member, who died tragically in a car accident on February 16, 2002. In 2002, after years of determination and persistence, Nathan finally achieved his goal of making the National Team. Nathan’s friends and family have designed the criteria of this award in order to support athletes like Nathan, and help them through these years of hard work. 
More details and Nomination Form 

6) Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award  
This award was donated to the CYA in 1997 by the Burk family to honor the memory of Bill Burk, their father, an active promoter of youth sailing in the Montreal's West Island region. As of 2003, this award may recognize a top male and female sailor. 
More details and Nomination Form 

7) Gerry Roufs Trophy 
This award was established in 1998 by the Canadian Yachting Association to honour the memory of Gerry Roufs, the internationally renowned Canadian sailor and single-handed offshore racer who was lost at sea in 1997. 
The award is presented to the person whose achievement in international offshore racing has had significant impact on the recognition of sailing in Canada. 
More details and Nomination Form 

8) CYA Coach of the Year Award 
This award was established in 1998 to recognize an instructor/coach who has contributed to the advancement of sailing at the club/school level.  
More details and Nomination Form 

9) Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management 
This award, donated by the Ontario Sailing Association, was established in 1993. Emblematic of excellence in race management, the Chisholm Trophy recognizes the club or association responsible for the regatta with the best-managed races during the time frame of September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009. The winner is selected on the basis of the quality of race management. 
More details and Nomination Form 

10) CYA City of Kingston Regatta of the Year Award 
This award is in place to recognize a regatta whereupon all aspects of race management and organization have resulted in an overall organizational success. 
More details and Nomination Form 

11) William Abbott Senior Trophy - Sail Training Program of the Year 
In 1991, at the second annual CYA Sail Training Symposium, the Sarnia Yacht Club donated a trophy in honour of William Abbott Senior, who as well as being one of Canada's best known yacht builders, has contributed significantly to sail training at Sarnia Yacht Club. 

The purpose of the trophy is to recognize the many fine programs run by dedicated volunteers throughout Canada and to share the information among clubs for the improvement of their sail-training programs. 
More details and Nomination Form   

12) CYA Recreation Event Award 
This award was established in 1997 to recognize a club, an organization, an individual or a group that has contributed to the promotion of recreational sailing in Canada. 
The club, organization or individual nominated for this award must be Canadian based, and be affiliated with the Canadian Yachting Association. 
More details and Nomination Form 

13) CYA Volunteer of the Year Award 
The CYA Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1991 to recognize outstanding contributions by CYA volunteers. The contribution can be related to activities by the candidate(s) over a period of years or to a specific event or program during a particular year. 
More details and Nomination Form

All the CYA Awards info can be found at http://www.sailing.ca/about/awards

Heritage Canada Confirms 2009 -2010 Contribution Agreement with Canadian Yachting Association

On July 23, 2009 the Canadian Yachting Association received its 2009 – 2010 contribution agreement with Sport Canada. The Canadian Yachting Association will receive up to a maximum of $ 1,330, 250 under the Sport Support program for administration, operations and programming, national team programs, salary support for both coaches and administrative staff, official languages, long term athlete development framework (LTAD), and Podium Canada (a program for elite athletes). Contributions have confirmed for both mainstream athletes and athletes with a disability.

The support is slightly reduced from 2008 – 2009 because some sport participation development programs were completed in 2008 and new participation programs are on hold pending the outcome of the LTAD project. “We are happy with he support we continue to receive from Sport Canada” stated Peter Wood, Interim Executive Director. The support will allow us to continue our preparations towards the sailing events at the 2012 London Olympic Games and provides us with the funding base we need to grow and focus our domestic program.

Etobicoke Yacht Club Open Regatta to support Canadian Sailing Team

What

2009 Etobicoke Yacht Club Open and Level Regatta

The last major keel boat regatta in the Greater Toronto Area, the regatta attracts up to 120 boats competing in up to 16 classes on four courses. It is one of the largest regattas of the season and has a reputation for top-notch race management and great food and entertainment. Primarily amateur crews compete for prizes and flags, as well as standings in the overall LORC series. The event is also a major counter for a number of one design classes and has hosted a number of class championships over the years as part of the regatta. This year, the EYC Open will include the IRC Canadian Championships.
 

When

29-30 August 2009


Where

Racing – Lake Ontario south of Etobicoke Yacht Club

Shore Events – Etobicoke Yacht Club,

300 Humber Bay Park Road West,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M8V 3X7


Why

The EYC Open/Levels provides competitive racing at all skill levels and sizes and marks the closing celebration of the summer racing season.

New this year; the event is being held in support of the Canadian Sailing Team. Sponsorship funds support the athletes and coaches as they prepare for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Benefit for Sponsors


The quality of racing, typically great weather, famous steak dinner, Mt. Gay Rum Pour, and entertainment that usually goes on until early morning, ensures the event is always one of the most well attended. Therefore the regatta provides potentially major exposure to individuals from all levels of sailing and racing for our sponsors.

With support of the Olympic team, the EYC Open will be attracting mainstream media attention, which will offer added value and exposure to our sponsors that will go beyond a typical regatta.

December 2009

Message from Olympic Torch carrier – Evert Bastet:

Being a part of the torch relay is an honour and has provided me with my closest encounter with the Olympic flame, and the first time I have been able to share an Olympic event with, and in the presence of, my hometown friends.  It has been an exhilarating, emotional experience that will stay with me forever. The flame lives on.  As it makes its way to Whistler and Vancouver, along with the flame I send my best wishes to all the competitors, and in particular, our Canadian athletes. Go Canada Go!



Message from Olympic Torch carrier – Tim Irwin:  Bringing the Torch back to the Olympic site in Kingston is a great honour! Being a part of the Olympic movement as it travels from community to community and the opportunity to represent sailing is an amazing experience.

Message from the President

With the cover on the big boat and the Laser safely stowed in the garage for the winter, it’s a good time to reflect on the last year.  We hope that you’ve had a good season; enjoyed some racing or cruising, taken some lessons or just shared a few sunny sailing days on the water with friends or family over the summer.

It has been a busy season for sailing.  This year marked the 40th anniversary of the invention of the Laser and how appropriate that Canada was able to host the world for the World Laser and World Masters Championships at Saint Margarets Sailing Club in Nova Scotia.  The Silver Fox Curling and Sailing Club in PEI successfully hosted young sailors from across the country for the 2009 Canada Summer Games and on the other side of the country, Royal Victoria Yacht Club hosted the Youth National Championships.  Our thanks to all the clubs, volunteers, officials and sponsors who hosted events all across our great country this past season.

At the CYA, our staff have worked hard dealing with the downsizing and restructuring that began in 2008.  Our thanks to them for their hard work and patience through this difficult time.  As a result of these changes and careful diligence on their part, we have seen a turnaround in our financial results.  A small surplus was achieved, preventing financial disaster and giving us confidence that we can continue to rebuild our cash reserves to ensure our future solvency.

In September, we welcomed on board as our new Executive Director, Paddy Boyd, a sailor for life, who brings experience and passion to every aspect of our sport, from the dinghy park to the board room.  Special thanks to Peter Wood, who came out of retirement to assist us during the restructuring as Interim Executive Director.

Our AGM last month, hosted by the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto, was well attended and demonstrated that working together; we can all win for the sport of sailing.  The AGM included two days of Strategic Planning sessions.  These sessions resulted in a short term action plan and a commitment from all stakeholders to work together to develop a comprehensive plan for Sailing in Canada based on our Vision - “Sailing to Win, Sailing for Life”.  You can view articles on the AGM and our new Long Term Athlete Development Program on the CYA’s website.

Working together in partnership we can keep the boat pointed in the right direction and continue to develop and grow the sport of sailing in Canada.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish you and your families all the best for a happy holiday season and good sailing in the coming season.

Gerry Giffin

President

Canadian Yachting Association

AGM Conference Summary

Sailing To Win, Sailing for Life

The Canadian Yachting Association concluded its annual conference and AGM on November 21st with stakeholders present agreeing to work together to create a stronger, more vibrant sport in Canada. 

The four days of meetings focused on developing a clear strategy for the sport of sailing for the future and the CYA Board will now work to finalise the strategy and communicate it to all the stakeholders. 

The facilitator assisted agenda allowed for strong interaction and many good ideas were generated.   

The Delegates endorsed strongly the Long Term Sailing Development model and are aware of the challenge ahead in implementing the programme. 

The key priorities identified for sailing in Canada were:

  • New vision for Canadian sailing: sailing to win – sailing for life

  • Strategic plan – timeline - accountability

  • Leadership + action + effective implementation

  • Working together to develop, grow sport of sailing

  • Achieve success – winning culture

  • Clear roles and responsibilities – common programs, services, targets

  • Get the boat pointing in the same direction

  • Work together in partnership

The Conference agreed definite timelines for the next steps in the strategy and the CYA Board are charged with not only developing the strategy, but clearly communicating it frequently and regularly to the membership. 

 

Next Steps

The CYA Board will now agree process to complete and produce the draft strategic plan, and develop the stakeholder communication strategy with PSAs.

Over the next few months, but no later than April 2010, the CYA will : 

  • Finalise LTSD and implementation model

  • Review organisational capacity to deliver transformation and changes

  • Consult with key stakeholders

  • Produce strategic plan

  • Develop operational, business + communication plan

  • Agree implementation + alignment plan with PSAs

  • Commence implementation of strategic and operational plan

New Board Members elected

Also at the AGM, two new CYA board members, Christine Searle (ON) and John Kerr (ON) were elected to replace retiring members John Abel (BC) and Dave Thomas (BC)

Chair of the Nominating Committee and Chair of the Election of Directors, Jim Dike, declared President Gerry Giffin elected by acclamation as there were no other candidates.

In advance of the election of Directors, the CYA membership passed a proposed bylaw change increasing from one to two athlete directors on the Board of Directors.

In a process as outlined in the CYA By-Laws, Nikola Girke was elected by the currently carded Canadian sailing team members as the second Athlete Director to the Board of Directors.

The CYA Board of Directors for 2009/2010 are:

Position Current (year term expires)
   
President Gerry Giffin (‘11) – Nova Scotia
   
u>Directors at Large Alan Lombard(’11)- Quebec
Todd Irving(’10) - Ontario
Kevin Stewart(’10)- Manitoba
Gillian Thomson(’11) – British Columbia
Christine Searle (’12) – Ontario
John Kerr (’12) – Ontario
Athlete Directors Ben Remocker – British Columbia
Nikola Girke – British Columbia

Gender Representation Guaranteed

The AGM also passed a new by-law which introduces a required gender balance to the Board of Directors.  The effect of the by-law, when including the Athlete Directors, is to ensure that there are at least three directors of each gender on the Board.  Annette Wildgoose, who represented Sport Canada at the AGM said: “I am particularly pleased to note that after many years CYA now has 3 female representatives on the Board of Directors. As you may be aware this is part of the National Accountability Standards that drive the Canadian Sport Policy through the NSOs as it relates to governance and technical development”

2009 CYA Awards

The Canadian Yachting Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 CYA Awards. The Award winners were announced at the 22nd Annual Rolex Awards Banquet held at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on November 20, 2009.  

Rolex Sailor of the Year Award – Curtis Florence

CYA Female Athlete of the Year Award – Nikola Girke

CYA Male Athlete of the Year Award – David Wright

Marvin McDill Memorial Award – Lee Parkhill

Nathan R. Cowan Memorial Award: for developing sailors – Robert Davis

Bill Burk Memorial Youth Elite Award – Isabella Bertold and Alex Heinzemann

CYA Coach of the Year Award – Lennie Liscio

Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management - 2009 CYA Canadian Youth Championships hosted by Royal Victoria Yacht Club

CYA City of Kingston Regatta of the Year Award - 2009 Nautel Laser World Championships hosted by St. Margaret’s Bay Sailing Club.

William Abbott Senior Trophy - Ontario Sailing BOOM & Access Boom Program

CYA Recreation Event Award - La Course Jacques Cartier & Sail Parry Sound – the Big Sound Challenge.

CYA Volunteer of the Year – Hugh Drake

Message from CST Coach Brian Todd

To all the CST members and foreign sailors that trained and raced in Halifax this year – thanks for all your hard work and fun company!

To all the volunteers at the Laser Worlds – ditto!

To all the members of the CST Disabled – ditto!

To all the staff at CYA – Major ditto!

To all – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

High Performance Update:

It has been a busy year with a lot of highlights!

  • Athlete performances were strong with 3 laser sailors in the top 16 at World Championships, a top 17 for our women’s RSX, which translates to an international card as there were 4 French sailors in top 16. 2.4mR sailor, Bruce Millar earned an international card with a 9th place finish at IFDS Worlds.  Paul Tingley won a bronze medal at the Open 2.4mR Worlds. ~ There were many top 40% performances achieved at World’s this year and other personal best results. Too many to list! Congrats to all our CST athletes for a successful year.  

  • There were 4 athlete retirements this year; Eric Holden, Chris Cook, Danielle Dube, and Stacie Louttit.  

  • CYA’s National Team coach, Tommy Wharton moved on to new challenges at the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario as Talent Development Manager. 

  • Own the Podium provided funding support to many areas of IST and new sport centre/coaching partnerships were struck across the country. 

  • LTAD working groups have been reviewing all aspects of programming as it relates to athlete development. This effort will result in a renewal strategy for Canadian sailing.   

  • Some of the immediate challenges facing the HP team are: coaching support, solidifying coaching relationships with each training centre; strategic planning; and major games/events qualifications. 

It will be a busy time in the New Year! Happy Holidays!

Long Term Sailor Development Update

Sailing to Win – Sailing for Life

Long Term Sailor Development

As the powerful presentation on www.sailing.ca outlines, the Long Term Sailor Development (LTSD) sets the stage for part of Canadian Sailing’s renewal strategy. LTSD encompasses the following:

  • Sailor learning and training programs

  • Coaching

  • Competition structure

  • Officials development and stage appropriate roles in mentoring

  • Club and organizational business development

Now that the bottom –to- top / entry-to exit / cradle-to-grave details have been set for a progressive and systematic lifelong sailor development framework, it is time for next steps in the initiative! This includes program reviews where programming & / or practices in each of the 5 areas listed above will be set against the details in the stages of LTSD. (Competition review has already taken place). Outcomes from reviews will offer systematic and progressive programming and practices through each of the 9 stages of the framework.  Technical review teams are soon to be recruited, and in-depth reviews will take place early in the New Year.

Following reviews, plans to implement any new or revised programs will be made.  A full plan for LTSD implementation is set to be drafted by the end of February 2010.

Be sure to check out what it’s all about! The Long term Sailor Development initiative is highlighted in English and in French on CYA website. Feedback is welcome – .

National / Senior National Race Officer Seminar

The Canadian Yachting Association is pleased to announce the running of a CYA NRO / SNRO Race Management Seminar to be hosted by Ontario Sailing at the Port Credit Yacht Club in Mississauga, Ontario, March 5th through 7th, 2010. 

Any CYA certified Club Race Officers (CROs) or National Race Officers (NROs) considering or intending to apply for their NRO or Senior National Race Officer (SNRO) certification within the next three years should consider attending this seminar as it may not be offered again in the Golden Horseshoe area for a few years. Successful completion of the seminar is a prerequisite for first-time applicants for NRO or SNRO certification.

For further information see CYA news release.

NOTE for FRENCH – clip from French release and hyperlink is here: http://www.sailing.ca/fr/news/national_senior_national_race_officer_seminar_march_2010_in_gta/ 

2010 Calendar

Next summer’s National events are lining up! Start your regatta scheduling now!

CYA Sail West – July 15-18 2010 - Wabamun, AB

2010 Laser and Radial Canadian Championships – July 15-18 2010 - Oka, QC

CYA Sail East – July 21-24 2010 – North Sydney, NS

CYA Youth National Championships – August 1-7 2010 – Ottawa, ON

2010 Canadian Optimist Dinghy Championships – August 22-28 2010 – Hamilton, ON

2010 Mobility Cup – September 13-17 2010 – Vancouver, BC

CYA Laser / Radial National Qualifier Regatta – September 23-26 2010 – Kingston, ON 

Stay tuned to CYA’s listings of 2010 regattas and championships. The listing is regularly being updated. 

Supporter Appreciation

The Canadian Yachting Association would like to thank the important partners of the Canadian Yachting Association and the Canadian Sailing Team, whose contributions throughout the year are greatly appreciated.

Sport Canada supports the achievement of high performance excellence and the development of the Canadian sport system. Without the support of Sport Canada, CYA would only be able to deliver a fraction of their mandate.  

The Canadian Olympic Committee & ‘Own the Podium’ supports the development of targeted podium potential athletes on their quest for 2012.  

Rolex has been a proud sponsor of sailing in Canada and the Canadian Yachting Association since 1986. Rolex supports CYA programs throughout the year and provides specific support each year for the Rolex Awards Banquet.  

PJ Phelan Foundation is a charitable foundation established to help Canadian sailors achieve excellence in their sport. P.J. Phelan has made an enormous difference to the CST and the sport of sailing in Canada, elevating potential medalists to podium finishers. The Phelan foundation has generously provided housing for our Canadian Sailing Team members in Weymouth leading up to the 2012 Games. This generous donation helps ease the financial burdens for both athletes and coaches as they continue their quest for gold.  

North National Outdoor Group, the North American distributor for Gul, Harken, and McLube, is a long-standing sponsor for the Canadian Sailing Team and Canadian Yachting Association. For the last several years, North National has donated and discounted high tech clothing and gear to the Canadian Sailing Team and provided support for our Olympic Sailing team in Beijing.  

Fogh Marine, “Canada’s Marine Store,” is a longtime supporter of sailing and sailboat racing across Canada. Fogh Marine annually awards the Fogh Marine Sportsmanship Award at the Canadian Youth Sailing Championships and takes special pride in supporting Canada’s sailing coaches.  

Other valuable sponsors include; Mercury Marine, Thomson Jemmett Vogelzang, Amp Marine, and Intact Insurance.

Many thanks to all the partners and supporters of the Canadian Yachting Association!

 



 



 



 



 


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