US Sailing National Sailing Program Symposium capped

by Jake Fish on 3 Feb 2011 US Sailing National Sailing Program Symposium discussed major issues and topics relevant to sailing organizations around the country in detail and industry stand-outs were recognized at the Marriott Suites in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Over 270 sailors attended this 2011 edition of NSPS. One-third of the participants were first-time attendees.

NSPS is the premier event for sailing education in the United States, bringing together the very best people and resources in instruction, program operation, equipment and more. The five-day event was open to everyone from professionals to volunteers, and veterans to beginners. Program directors, school owners, instructors and industry professionals came to Clearwater Beach to learn, share and network with experts and colleagues alike.

A Few Highlights from NSPS:
* This year’s list of keynote speakers at NSPS included a number of noteworthy professionals, such as Larry Ledgerwood, corporate trainer and consultant; Joni Palmer, sailing program development expert; Kara Lavender Law, SEA Principal Investigator; Dieter Loibner, sailing media mogul; Rachael Miller, Rozalia Project founder; and Larry Johnson, business consultant and corporate culture expert.

* Breakout session and speaker topics included: Fleet ownership, web presence, branding, race management, creative programming, partnering with local schools, environmental lessons, social media, youth retention, powerboating, fundraising, sailors with disabilities, match racing, development and management of volunteers, coaching tips, and more.

* Courses and certification opportunities at NSPS included: Powerboat Instructor Course; US Sailing Club Certification for Race Officers of Judges; and Cold Water Immersion Survival and Rescue, Recover, Rewarm Course

US Sailing’s Training Committee and Community Sailing Council honored the following recipients of several major national awards and community sailing accolades:
* Captain Joe Prosser Award for Quality and Safety in Instructor Training
Community Boating, Inc. / Boston, Mass.

* The 'Ginny' Award for Service and Support to Sail Training
Larry Ledgerwood / OCSC - San Francisco Bay Sailing School / Walnut Creek, Calif.

* Marty Luray Award for Contributions to Further Public Access Sailing
Marcel Beaudin / Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center / South Burlington, Vt.

* Outstanding Director of a New Program
Harold 'Buster' Pike / Park City Sailing Association / Park City, Utah

* Creative Innovation in Sailing Programming
Lacey Todd / Treasure Island Sailing Center / San Francisco, Calif.

* Outstanding Director of a Seasonal Program
Amy Lyons / Community Boating, Inc. / Boston, Mass.

* Excellence in Instruction
Greg Simon / Madison Sailing Center / Waunakee, Wis.

* Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Community Sailing
Dennis Peck / Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center / Port Charlotte, Fla.

* Outstanding Outreach and Inclusion
Marina del Rey Community Boating Council / Redondo Beach, Calif.
Community Boating, Inc. / Boston, Mass.

* Outstanding Seasonal Program
Nantucket Community Sailing / Nantucket, Mass.

* Outstanding Organizational Support
Michael McGrory / SUNY Maritime College / Bronx, N.Y.

* More than 10 Years of Hallmark Performance
Sail Newport / Newport, R.I.

* Outstanding Program for Disabled Sailors
Piers Park Sailing Center / Boston, Mass.

* Outstanding Leadership
Tom Moore / Community Boating, Inc. / Boston, Mass.

http://training.ussailing.org/