Kingston, May 1, 2025 – Sail Canada is pleased to announce that 26-member sailing clubs and schools from across the country have been awarded a combined total of $80,750 as part of Sail Canada’s 2025 “Sailing for All” initiative.
The “Sailing for All” initiative was created to support grassroots programs delivered by Member Clubs and Schools focused on providing grassroots sailing experiences for individuals from underserved or underrepresented groups, at very low or no cost to participants. Programs must also be designed to engage participants from one or more of the following communities: Black, Indigenous, Racialized, 2SLFBTQI+, Low-Income People, Persons with a Disability, Newcomers to Canada, or Seniors.
The initiative was launched in December 2023 thanks to funding from the Sport Canada Community Sport for All Initiative (https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/sport-support/community-sport-initiative.html).
In its first year in 2004, the Sailing for All program engaged over 700 new participants in the sport of sailing.
This year, a total of 53 applications were received for the 2025 Sailing for All program. After careful consideration, 26 programs were selected to be part of the program, representing eight provinces and a variety of program delivery formats. Included in the programs selected are nine accessible sailing programs, as well as programs delivering both dinghy and keelboat/cruising training.
The 26 clubs’ programs that will be supported in the summer of 2025 are:
Alberta
- Calgary Yacht Club
- Able Sail Association of Alberta
British Columbia
- Hollyburn Sailing Club
- Calma Sailing
- Rocky Point Sailing Association
- Able Sail Victoria
Manitoba
- Sail Manitoba / Winnipeg Sailing Centre
- Gimli Yacht Club
New Brunswick
- Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club
Nova Scotia
- Armdale Yacht Club
- St. Margaret’s Sailing Club – Bay Sail Able
- Lunenburg Yacht Club Sail Able
Ontario
- Fanshawe Yacht Club & Sailing School
- Brockville Yacht Club
- Lac Deschenes Sailing Club
- The Boulevard Club
- Brakewinders Sailing Club
- Broad Reach Foundation
- Kingston Yacht Club
- Quinte SailAbility
- Able Sail Toronto
- Royal Hamilton Yacht Club
Québec
- Brome Lake Boating Club
- Écovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs
- Association québécoise de voile adaptée
Yukon
- Yukon Breeze Sailing Society
About Sail Canada
Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country. Sail Canada is a leading international sailing nation, proud of its world class athletes, lifelong participants and inclusive culture. The organization and its members are committed to excellence by developing and training its leaders, athletes, sailors, instructors, coaches and officials. With the valued support from our partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations and our member clubs, schools, organizations and stakeholders, sailing is promoted in all its forms. By setting standards and delivering programs from home pond to podium for Canadians of all ages and abilities, from dinghies to keelboats, cruising to navigation, windsurfing to powerboating and accessible sailing, Sail Canada sets sail for all, sail to win and sail for life.
A sport in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1896, except in 1904, the pursuit of success in these Games is what fuels the focus of Sail Canada as Canadian athletes have so far achieved nine Olympic and five Paralympic medals.
– 30 –
Information:
Patrick Godbout
Communications Manager
Sail Canada
Email: patrick@sailing.ca
Phone: 514-213-9897