Funding for “Sailing for All” initiative

Twenty-four sailing clubs and schools from across Canada 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. “The Sailing for All initiative continues to demonstrate the power of community-based sailing programs.”

Launched in December 2023, the initiative was created to support grassroots programs delivered by Member Clubs and Schools focused on providing grassroots sailing experiences for individuals from under-served or under-represented 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.

In the first two years, the Sailing for All program engaged over 1900 new participants in the sport of sailing, with programs spreading across eight provinces.

In 2026, 34 applications were received for the 2026 Sailing for All program. The 24 programs selected represent 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.

2026 recipients:

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

Source: Sail Canada