Sail Canada awards $80k in funding to member clubs & schools as part of “Sailing for All” Initiative
by Sail Canada 27 Mar 10:21 PDT
“Sailing for All” Initiative © Sail Canada
Sail Canada is pleased to announce that 24-member sailing clubs and schools from across the country have been awarded a combined total of $80,750 as part of Sail Canada's 2026 "Sailing for All" initiative. This funding is courtesy of Sport Canada's Community Sport for All Initiative.
"We are grateful for the continued support from Sport Canada, which allows Sail Canada and our member clubs and schools to create meaningful opportunities to get more Canadians on the water," said Ryan Kelly, CEO of Sail Canada. "Now in its third year, the Sailing for All initiative continues to demonstrate the power of community-based sailing programs. Congratulations to the clubs and schools selected for 2026—we're proud to support the work you are doing to make sailing more accessible across the country."
Launched in December 2023, the "Sailing for All" initiative was created to support grassroots programs delivered by Member Clubs and Schools focused on providing grassroots sailing experiences for individuals from underserved or underrepresented groups, at very low or no cost to participants. The programs are designed to engage participants from one or more of the following communities: Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLFBTQI+, low-income people, persons with a disability, newcomers to Canada, or seniors.
"Through Sport Canada's Community Sport for All Initiative, the Government of Canada is proud to support projects like this that are inclusive, welcoming and accessible," said the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport). "Sailing for All is about making sailing and water-based sport more accessible to everyone. Thank you to Sail Canada and the community organizations that are working tirelessly to deliver programs that help people stay active while building confidence, resilience and stronger social connections. I'm thrilled to see projects that give young Canadians the opportunity to thrive through sport. Initiatives like this help inspire more people to get involved and build a stronger Canada!"
In the first two years (2024 & 2025), the Sailing for All program engaged over 1900 new participants in the sport of sailing. With programs spreading across eight provinces.
This year, a total of 34 applications were received for the 2026 Sailing for All program. After careful consideration, 24 programs were selected to be part of the program, representing six provinces and a variety of program delivery formats. Included in the programs selected are seven accessible sailing programs, as well as programs delivering both dinghy and keelboat/cruising training.
The 24 clubs' programs that will be supported in the summer of 2026 are:
Alberta
- Calgary Yacht Club
- Able Sail Association of Alberta
British Columbia
- Hollyburn Sailing Club
- Calma Sailing
- Rocky Point Sailing Association
- Able Sail Victoria
- BC Sailing
- Thetis Island Elementary School & Canadian Forces Sailing Association
- Wild About Sailing
Manitoba
- Sail Manitoba / Winnipeg Sailing Centre
Nova Scotia
- Armdale Yacht Club
- Lunenburg Yacht Club Sail Able
Ontario
- Fanshawe Yacht Club & Sailing School
- Brockville Yacht Club
- Lac Deschenes Sailing Club
- The Boulevard Club
- Quinte SailAbility
- Able Sail Toronto
- Royal Hamilton Yacht Club
Québec
- Brome Lake Boating Club
- Pointe Claire Yacht Club
- Fédération de voile du Québec
- Coupe Femina
Yukon
- Yukon Breeze Sailing Society