At the September meeting of the YSF Board, a new three-year strategy and operational plan was unanimously adopted. The new strategy affirms the YSF’s unwavering commitment to empowering our youth to achieve their full potential through the medium of sailing. “Free learn to sail programs for our youth will remain the core pillar of our programing” said Board Chair Bill Krueger.
Through the outstanding leadership of long time Executive Director Stu Keiller, YSF is experiencing unprecedented demand for its Youth and Adaptive Sailing programs. In order to meet this demand, the firm is expanding its sailing offerings to Adults and Families. Part of this expansion includes the construction of a 10,000 square foot Community Sailing Center on the south side of the Three Corners development. YSF has already secured a long-term lease for the property from the City of Vero Beach and raised $3.75 of the $4.5 million needed to build the facility. Paid Adult and Family sailing programs will help fund expansion of free youth sailing programs. To reflect the expansion of the firm’s programing to engage adults and families YSF has updated its name to YSF Community Sailing Vero Beach. YSF will continue to operate as a non-profit open to all in the community.
YSF reaches over 300 children each year, fifty percent of whom are from the underserved community. The youth sailing roster reflects the diversity of our community with 25% minority and 10% special needs sailors coming from thirty-five schools and academies.
The new strategy also includes a leadership succession plan. Executive Director, Stu Keiller has announced his intention to step down by the end of 2024 and focus on construction of the community sailing center in 2025. With the scale of programing and facility development planned, the Board has formed a search committee and will be conducting a search for a seasoned executive to take the Executive Director role.