Sail Canada Instructor of the Year

Adrien Bernier Nadeau (Baie-des-Chaleurs, Quebec) has been selected Sail Canada 2023 Instructor of the Year as the country celebrates National Coaches Week on September 16-22.

This recognition is awarded annually to an instructor who demonstrates excellence on the water teaching and communicating skills, is respectful, fair and equitable, encourages pride in the sport, has taken part in clinics and performs above and beyond what is required from an instructor.

The winners are Sail Canada certified and registered instructors who have made a significant impact and have accepted the challenge of improving the level of sailing at their club/school. Nominations have been evaluated based on the time period ranging from January 1 to December 31, 2023.

“I am honored and touched by this wonderful recognition,” said Nadeau. “It represents a validation of my passion, rigor and dedication in my role as an instructor. I’m very proud of the work I’ve accomplished as an entrepreneur for our sailing school La Belle Vie Sailing.

“This award is also a reminder of the importance of passing on the love and respect for the sea, as well as marine know-how and ‘know-how-to-be’ in a professional, responsible, and inspiring manner.”

Nadeau began teaching sailing at the age of 15. After stepping away from his passion for a few years to focus on his engineering career, he made a pivotal decision in 2019 to return to sailing full-time. Together with his wife, they founded La Belle Vie Sailing, the first school in Quebec to specialize in liveaboard catamaran cruising and offer Sail Canada’s Catamaran Endorsement.

Since 2019, he has advanced as a sailing instructor, earning both the Advanced Instructor and Cruising Catamaran Instructor certifications from Sail Canada. He has also participated in several national and international seminars abroad. Nadeau has logged more than 40,000 nautical miles across Canada and the Caribbean.

He has also initiated several initiatives to promote sailing in Quebec and Canada, in addition to having won numerous awards and accolades.

From the nomination form:
“In addition to being a sailor and instructor, Adrien is also an entrepreneur. He launched his own company and sailing school, enabling him to achieve his goals. His entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his passion for sailing, has opened doors that were never open before and has led to the creation of unique projects.”

More information about the Sail Canada Instructor of the Year Award is available at https://www.sailing.ca/coach-instructor-of-the-year-award-past-winners/.

Source: Sail Canada