Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County is pleased to announce they have been awarded a Siebel Sailors Program grant and named a US Sailing Supporting Siebel Center. The Siebel Sailors Program aims to “increase opportunity and diversity in the sport of sailing by providing resources and support to youth sailors at public-access sailing centers across the country.”
YSF is one of only seventeen centers nationwide to receive this landmark designation and was selected by US Sailing based on several criteria, including “an established infrastructure for learning, safe facilities, and equipment for youth, and a record of working with underserved youth populations.” The three-year grant of over $100,000 was made possible by a donation from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation, established by the prominent software developer, sailor, and philanthropist, Tom Siebel, and recognizes YSF as one of the leading community sailing programs in the United States.
Siebel’s Florida Region, anchored by US Sailing Center of Martin County, has three support centers, including YSF and two Miami sailing clubs. The region has been assigned a highly trained US Sailing coach, MacKenzie McGuckin, who “will instill a strong affinity for sailing in these young sailors, build advanced skills and mentor them at local, regional, and national regattas.” The four other designated regions are anchored by centers in Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle.
The Siebel program has provided YSF with six new RS Feva XL 12-foot dinghies, plus supporting equipment and a maintenance allowance. One of the fasted-growing double-handed sailboat classes in the world, the RS Feva is specially designed to be fun and fast and is an ideal training boat for tweens and teens.
YSF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, offering free sailing instruction to the children of Indian River County and reaching out to all segments of the community regardless of income and circumstances. Serving over 180 children yearly, YSF offers a full range of instruction from beginner to advanced, including after-school squadrons, weekend classes, and high school racing. Sailing instills confidence and self-esteem that help enable young sailors to achieve their full potential. Lessons learned on the water are brought ashore and serve as building blocks for a successful life. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.ysfirc.org.
US Sailing, the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.