Skip to main content

New Orleans Home of Sailing Saints.

February 7, 2015 by jarndt
New Orleans Home of Sailing Saints.

New Orleans was the site of a gathering of US Sailing ‘saints’ - the people who are on the front lines of sharing sailing with the youth of America through community and youth sailing programs. The three-day event, called the US Sailing National Sailing Programs Symposium, is a professional development opportunity for anyone who runs or teaches a sailing program. It’s an impressive line-up of attendees and speakers all working to improve the quality, accessibility, effectiveness and growth of a diverse array of sailing programs.

It’s a dedicated and inspiring collection of sailors who listened to topics ranging from educational tools, safety, robotics, environmental messages, ocean stewarship to racing and tallships. The pathways within sailing are diverse and assembling a symposium to cover the broad range of program interests and sailing styles is complex but provides plenty of opportunities for cross pollination.

Sailors and speakers hailed from every corner of the US and a concurrent ISAF meeting brought sailing leadership from England, South Africa, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Brazil (where Olympic sailing will be held in 2016), Taiwan and elsewhere. One impression from going to the conference was a bit like looking under the hood of modern automobile. Most cars today are easy to start and drive but when you look under the hood you find a baffling array of mechanical and electrical machinery in place to keep it all running smoothly. US Sailing gave the same impression. Most of us sail with a pretty simple idea of escape, freedom, pleasure, adventure and perhaps racing. However, NSPS provides a glimpse ‘under the hood’ of US Sailing where you discover many elements of the organization’s infrastructure, machinery and training that helps keep sailing a simple pleasure.

Another big inspiration was the youth. Much of the sailing world often appears to be dominated by a maturing, graying population of adults. It’s great to be part of it but it can lack the spark, energy and enthusiasm of youth. Attending NSPS provides the antidote. Many young instructors, program heads and others attended with their passion and enthusiasm on abundant display.

Another inspiring aspect of the event was US Sailing’s expanding view of its mission. Growing participation and sail training are core aspects but outreach to underserved communities, sustainability, ocean stewardship, serving people with physical and cognitive disabilities are now all part of a greater purpose for sailing. When I taught sailing many years ago I taught how to trim sails, how to tie knots, navigate and a few other basic sailing skills. The sailing instructors of today have much grander visions – they’re saving the oceans and the planet, saving disadvantaged youth, proactively bringing in diversity and generally displaying all the drive and caring that keeps one optimistic for the future. Sailing has always been awesome but its potential to serve beyond an enjoyable afternoon’s recreation is creating benefits far beyond what might be gained from learning the bowline and sail trim.

Going sailing can be one of the most rewarding ways anyone can spend their day but sharing sailing provides even greater rewards for those who are on the water with thousands of kids and adults showing them the ropes and giving them the opportunity for a lifetime of sailing. Though most don’t know US Sailing’s NSPS exists it is a prime program that gives instructors the tools to be the saints transforming today’s youth sailing.

For more resources from US Sailing check out their resources page.

Rich Jepsen receives the Virginia Long award from US Sailing president Tom Hubbell

Local San Francisco Bay addendum: During award ceremonies San Francisco Bay’s Rich Jepsen, recently retired as CEO of OCSC Sailing in Berkeley was awarded the Sail Training Service and Support Award in Honor of Virginia Long for his contributions to US Sailing’s training committee over the past 18 years.  Read More Here.  

Other winners included outstanding Community Sailing Director: Alicia Martorella of Oyster Bay, NY pictured with Tom Hubbell.  Click hear to read about more US Sailing winners.

Article Type