Building support for offshore sailing

To support the next generation of offshore Canadian sailors, the Canada Ocean Racing Be Water Positive Sailing Team launched its inaugural Pathway Program on Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada.

The program brought together four young sailors – Zoe Folsetter, Grace Poole, Jasper Waldman, and Adrien de Pas -under the mentorship of Scott Shawyer, president/skipper, Ryan Barkey, boat captain, and Nick Moloney, CEO on September 27-29, 2024.

Shawyer is currently training to compete in the solo non-stop round the world race, Vendee Globe 2028. But beyond his own ambitions, Shawyer wants to build support for offshore sailing in Canada, particularly amongst the younger generation, and so the idea of the Pathway Program was born.

“Our campaign is based in France, where the elite of short-handed offshore sailing train, compete, and manage their campaigns,” said Shawyer. “Through our participation in the IMOCA Globe Series, we have learned and continue to learn so much, and it was always my intention to share that knowledge with the Canadian sailing community.

“Offshore sailing, particularly solo or short-handed, is highly celebrated in Europe, especially in France, but it remains relatively underdeveloped in Canada. This Pathway Program is our way of fostering that discipline here at home, by sharing our learnings and experiences with fellow Canadian sailors.”

Designed for individuals aged 18-25 with an interest in sailing or a career in the sport, the Pathway Program offers participants the opportunity to develop their skills and understanding of professional campaigning under the guidance of experienced mentors.

Hosted at the Collingwood Yacht Club in Ontario, Shawyer’s home sailing base, the program leveraged a newly acquired Farr-designed X2 yacht, providing a platform for training and development in Canada while the team’s primary assets remain in France.

The Pathway Program began with a Canada-wide call for applications, drawing nearly 50 enthusiastic applicants over a three-week period. “The level of interest we saw was truly impressive,” said Ryan Barkey, the team’s boat captain. “We were both surprised and encouraged by the passion for offshore sailing that exists in Canada.”

The initiative also aligns with the Be Water Positive purpose that underpins Shawyer’s campaign, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship and the protection of water as a vital resource.

The next round of candidate selections is scheduled to begin in April-May 2025.

For more information:
• https://www.canadaoceanracing.com/
• Nick Moloney, nick@canadaoceanracing.com

Source: COR