On the first day, after getting to know each other, students are briefed on water safety rules, basic parts and boat handling. Then the children are off to experiment with the real thing. They quickly learn to tack and gybe and avoid collisions, with helpful coaches always close by. On day two, they can hardly wait to get to school and have more fun on the water. By the end of the week they sail around a little course, name the parts of their boat, know the points of sail, tie basic knots, learn boat care, team work and the most fun of all, know how to capsize and right their boat.

“We are so pleased that the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) helped to make this program a reality with a $45,000 grant in 2001. Further OTF funding in 2006 helped us to purchase more technically challenging boats and repair our older Lasers,” said Rhoda Ironside, Director of Sail Georgian Bay. “We also appreciate the support of other organizations in our community like the Beaver Valley Kinsmen, Meaford and Thornbury/Clarksburg Rotary Clubs, Lions Club, Meaford Annual Craft Show, local yacht clubs and generous donors who have helped provide boats, sails and equipment. These supporters together with volunteers and parents who help set-up, clean-up, repair and store boats make SGB the success that it is.”

“At Sail Georgian Bay no child is turned away,” said Rhoda Ironside. “We reach out to local schools and offer everyone a chance to sail.” This initiative is funded through donations from the community. Last year 11 students were funded and another dozen this year. One girl came back this year as a volunteer for the whole summer. Two youngsters with Down’s syndrome sailed with SGB for several summers. They had great fun interacting with all the children, mastered the tying of nautical knots and single handedly sailed a small boat. These were great achievements. One boy, now 20 visited SBG last summer to enjoy a great day sailing.

Parent Testimonials: “Thank you for sending out the e-mails regarding the boys’ nut allergies. Steven is sailing the last day today...........he had a great time!......from an attitude of  "I don't want to go, its boring", after his first day, Monday,  he wanted to know when sailing starts as soon as he got up.   James is looking forward to his week, and I look forward to signing up both boys again next year, hopefully for two weeks.” “The kids had a great time. Thanks to Chris, Greg, John, Jackson and Nathalja for their flexibility and compassion. Hope to have an opportunity to sail again next summer.” “Do you have space in another week that we can sign Jane up for in August?    She has been having a wonderful time!” “My daughter Chrissy said it was the best camp she has attended. She is keen now to go for her white sail level 2. I stayed and watched the sessions everyday and was very impressed with the course and all of the instructors. They really made it fun for the kids. Nathalja had a great attitude and made the kids feel very welcome from the moment they arrived. “ “I’m so glad that we have Sail Georgian Bay. My teenager is busy and happy working as a volunteer while working on her sailing levels. We have no trouble getting her out of the house to start work at 8:30 a.m.”

Today all our SGB instructors have grown up in the program and take great pride in their school.

Initially established in 2001 in partnership with the Georgian Bay Sailing Association, this year SBG became incorporated as Sail Georgian Bay Inc., a not-for-profit sports club. The school is run by a program director, office administrator, five instructors and five instructors in training. Students come from all over Grey County and the Georgian Triangle and some from as far as England and Texas.

SGB has become an important part of the landscape of Meaford, fostering a sense of ownership in the community. The school is featured in the Meaford brochure, attracting weekenders and summer visitors to the area. A painting of the school can even be seen on a ceiling tile at the local hospital. 

Small ideas often have big impact and SGB has proven that a small sailing school can make a huge difference in the social development of children and in building a community. They are truly the little boats that could.