BRISTOL, R.I. (February 27, 2020) – In April of 2019, US Sailing announced a new community sailing program made possible by a major donation from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation. The purpose of this ground-breaking Siebel Sailors Program is to increase diversity and opportunity in the sport of sailing by providing resources and support to youth sailors at public access sailing centers across the country.
US Sailing is highlighting the Supporting Siebel Centers who will implement this innovative program from our Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Northern California Regions. These designated centers at locations throughout the country will support an important US Sailing objective of providing increased access to sailing for youth, regardless of socioeconomic background, and will receive a fleet of sail boats, other necessary equipment, and expert coaching.
US Sailing is excited to partner with the following Supporting Siebel Centers:
Northern California Region:
- Alameda Community Sailing Center (Calif.)
- Golden Gate Yacht Club Youth Sailing Foundation (Calif.)
Midwest Region:
- Sheridan Shore Sailing School (Ill.)
- Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation (Ill.)
- Sheboygan Youth Sailing Center (Wis.)
Mid-Atlantic Region:
- Downtown Sailing Center (Md.)
- Baltimore County Sailing Center (Md.)
Siebel Sailors will have access to a range of sailing experiences and boat types, with the RS Feva XL as the primary boat. A US Sailing provided Siebel Coach will lead each region, providing instruction and mentoring to participating sailors. The goal is to retain new sailors in the sport by starting with a solid foundation of seamanship and safe boating, and providing ongoing opportunities to develop racing, leadership, and career skills.
Zodiac, an industry leading powerboat supplier and distributor, is supplying RIB boats to the Siebel Centers at a significantly discounted rate for their on-water coaching and management of the program.
Meet the Supporting Siebel Centers:
Northern California Region –
Alameda Community Sailing Center (ACSC) – San Francisco, Calif.
ACSC is a volunteer-run non-profit community sailing center. Like the Siebel Sailors Program, their goal is to provide boating access and sailing opportunities to those who might not be able to participate in these activities without help. They proudly grant over $22,000 in scholarships annually for their youth summer camps and after-school sailing. Sticking to the motto, “the Bay is my playground,” ACSC programs have a strong focus on adventure sailing and on-water games. They are passionate about changing the face of youth racing, making sure that there are advanced sailing opportunities for non-yacht club children in the area.
“What an opportunity! US Sailing and the Siebel Sailors Program have provided us with the tools to make a difference in the lives of youth with little (or no!) sailing experience, no yacht club connection and precious little sailing opportunity in sight,” said Kame Richards, ACSC Board of Directors. “We’re happy that the Siebel program and USS have made possible a new avenue for sailing to be used as a tool which we can use to develop children’s leadership, teamwork, confidence, and situational awareness. We’re honored to be a part of this new direction.”
Golden Gate Yacht Club Youth Sailing Foundation (GGYCYSF) – San Francisco, Calif.
GGYC has always been known as the “Friendliest Club on Bay” and is working to create a safe and fun learning environment for bay area youth to develop long lasting friendships and life skills through sailing. The goal of their youth programming isn’t to create Olympic level sailors; it’s simply to allow anyone, regardless of age, economic status, or experience the opportunity to sail confidently and race competitively. The club’s vision is to build a “Road to Regattas” for all ages that seeks to inspire, coach and mentor the youth who represent the future of sailing.
“GGYC is thrilled to be partnering with the Siebel Sailors Program because the goals of our organizations are so well aligned,” said Christopher Johnson, GGYCYSF Board Member. “We both seek to diversify the sport of sailing by creating new opportunities for everyone to access the water, we both want to build the character of our students on and off the water, and ultimately we are both working to ensure sailing remains an inclusive, engaging, and growing sport for generations to come.”
Midwest Region –
Sheridan Shore Sailing School (SSSS) – Chicago, Ill.
For more than 77 years, Sheridan Shore Sailing School has been proud to offer sailors of all ages the opportunity to experience the thrill, challenge, and exhilaration of sailing. The sailing school uses the facilities of the Wilmette Harbor Club, located on the North Shore of Chicago at Wilmette Harbor in Gillson Park. All coaches are US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat and First AID/CPR Certified.
“It is a tremendous honor to have Sheridan Shore Sailing School named one of the exclusive US Sailing Siebel Sailors Center recipients,” said Zachary Hernandez Sailing Director at Sheridan Shore Sailing School. “Recipient locations are accredited US Sailing Community Sailing Centers, 501(c)3 organizations, and offer community access to sailing opportunities/facilities. The Siebel Sailors Program will increase skill development, enrich our existing sailing programming, and provide various learning opportunities on RS Feva XL boats coached by a US Sailing certified Siebel coach, and Sailing School staff. We are excited to incorporate Siebel Sailors into our SSSS community. Tom Siebel founded this dynamic program and he happened to begin his sailing career at Sheridan Shore. We are thrilled to be part of this Siebel circle of sailing development.”
Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation (JPYCF) – Chicago, Ill.
Located on Chicago’s South side, the Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation (“JPYC Foundation”) is the nonprofit affiliate of Jackson Park Yacht Club, one of the oldest yacht clubs in Chicago (founded in 1896) that has the largest number of African American sailors in the country. A US Sailing STEM center since 2018, the JPYC Foundation’s mission is to provide the outreach, education, training, support and resources necessary to engage young people and adults in boating and other activities on and around the water, including non-traditional participants in boating activities.
With over 30 partners, including an on-site Northwestern sports psychologist who trains students/staff on conflict resolution, confidence and resiliency, as well as the Chicago Police Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Department, who bring at-risk youth to our programs, the JPYC Foundation engages youth in a fun, challenging sailing program that encourages them to embrace education, college, careers and opportunity.
“Over 2 million people live in Chicago, yet over 800,000 Chicagoans, many of them children of color, have never even seen Lake Michigan let alone been in any kind of boat. By connecting youth of color to Lake Michigan – one of Chicago’s greatest assets – we can literally open their horizons and help them to navigate a new course in their lives,” said JPYC Foundation President, Karen Harris. “We are honored to have been selected as Siebel Sailor Program supporting center and look forward to working with the other Siebel locations to continue demonstrating that sailing is something that everyone can enjoy.”
Sheboygan Youth Sailing Center (SYSC) – Sheboygan, Wis.
At the Sheboygan Youth Sailing Center it is their goal to offer a series of empowering experiences to allow youth and adults alike to do great things on their own. As a community sailing center on the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan, their mission is to cultivate an appreciation within the Sheboygan community for our lake by introducing youth and adults to the sport of sailing and help them to develop the skills to safely and effectively crew and skipper a sailboat. As they expand their reach into the community, they hope to continue offering classes in which every student will find meaningful opportunities for building self-confidence and self-discovery while creating friendships and a lifelong passion for being on the water. Come and set sail with us for an experience you will never forget!
“We could not be more thrilled to have the opportunity to be a Siebel Sailor Program Supporting Center for the upcoming season,” Whitney Kent, Program Director. “As SYSC works to increase our outreach and partnerships within the Sheboygan community, we think the Siebel Program will offer a new and diverse group of students the opportunity to experience the joy of sailing on Lake Michigan in a unique and exciting way.”
Mid-Atlantic Region –
Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) – Baltimore, Md.
The Downtown Sailing Center has offered sailing instruction and access to sailing through a variety of programming to the Greater Baltimore Community since 1994. DSC is located in the heart of Baltimore at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, an easy walking distance from Downtown, Federal Hill, South Baltimore, Riverside, and Locust Point neighborhoods.
The Downtown Sailing Center programs are available to the entire community. For adults, they offer adult education, recreational sailing open sails, Thursday Night Racing and cruising education. For youth, we offer junior camps, outreach programming that includes STEM curriculum, literacy education, and US Sailing Instructor Certification. For persons with disabilities we offer “Access-ability Saturdays” racing education and group outings.
“The Downtown Sailing Center is honored to be engaged in the Siebel Sailors Program,” said Stuart Proctor, Executive Director. “The DSC has focused on inclusive, fun sailing opportunities for all people since 1994 and continues to do so. The Siebel Sailors Program complements our mission and affords Baltimore youth an amazing opportunity they would otherwise not have. Janel (Zarkowsky) and Blair (Overman) have shown themselves to be great leaders in the development of the program, and The DSC is looking forward to continuing our partnership with US Sailing through this generous grant made possible through the Tom and Stacey Siebel Foundation.”
Baltimore County Sailing Center (BCSC) – Essex, Md.
The Baltimore County Sailing Center is a community sailing organization operating out of Rocky Point Park, in Eastern Baltimore County. Now in its 27th year, BCSC offers learn-to-sail camps, summer-long racing programs, scholastic sailing, adult learn-to-sail, one-design racing. While the primary focus is sailing, additional programs promoting kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, and outdoor education are offered.
BCSC does not require dues or a membership commitment from its participants. Individuals, families, and groups participate in their programs, use the facilities and volunteer to support the organization. The policy of membership by inclusion allows BCSC to provide affordable access to sailing and waterfront activities for the average family.
“We are excited to be a part of this new program and partnership, to continue spreading our mission of bringing everyone, on to the water,” said Nicole Sikowitz, Director of Programming. This program will allow us to further engage our local community.”
Eligibility criteria, center guidelines, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at www.siebelsailors.org.
For questions about the program please contact Blair Overman, Siebel Sailors Program Manager at blairoverman@ussailing.org.
US Sailing Communications:
Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (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© (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
