US SAILING SELECTS SIEBEL CENTERS IN FLORIDA

Primary and Supporting Siebel Centers for Florida Named by US Sailing

MacKenzie McGuckin Named Siebel Coach for Florida

BRISTOL, R.I. (June 4, 2020) – US Sailing’s new and growing youth development program is expanding to include the state of Florida. US Sailing is excited to announce the following Primary and Supporting Siebel Centers. These community sailing organizations play a large role in the development of youth sailing in the state of Florida and around the nation.

The US Sailing Center of Martin County (Jensen Beach) has been selected as the Primary Siebel Center for Florida. Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County (Vero Beach), Team Paradise (Miami) and Coconut Grove Sailing Club (Miami) have been selected to serve as Supporting Siebel Centers.

In April 2019, US Sailing announced a new nationwide community sailing program made possible by a major donation from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation. The purpose of this ground-breaking Siebel Sailors Program is to increase diversity and opportunity in the sport of sailing by providing resources and support to youth sailors at public access sailing centers across the country. This is a national US Sailing program that is executed locally by Siebel Centers with adaptations for regional needs across the country.

Most Siebel Center programs across the country are currently on hold due to COVID-19. US Sailing will be closely following state and local government guidelines to determine when to open programming safely with our Siebel Centers. The Florida Region is one of the first in the country to open and we anticipate Siebel Programs launching in July.

While the Siebel Sailors Program may be on hold, the team of national Siebel Coaches have been building new teaching standards and tools for how youth progress through the sport that will be available youth programs at large later this year. They are also leading regional conversations to discuss best practices for modified programming once Centers reopen. Youth sailing programs are facing unprecedented challenges in our current environment and it has been inspiring to watch our Siebel Regions come together, support each other, and become local leaders in how to reopen sailing safely with the highest standards in mind.

US Sailing Center of Martin County – Jensen Beach, Fla.

The US Sailing Center of Martin County has been impacting lives through sailing for 28 years through local, regional and national events and programs. In early 2020, they concluded their 25^th Anniversary Capital Campaign and they anticipate breaking ground on the expansion of their facility this spring. They are expanding to increase their influence.

“We consider being named a Primary Center for the Siebel Sailing Program to be one of our greatest achievements since our inception,” said Alan Jenkinson. “We have long been introducing sailing to a diverse and underserved population. Through the Siebel program we look forward to introducing competitive sailing as a way of life. Thanks to the Siebel Grant we are going to take this to a whole new level. We are thinking big. Thank you, US Sailing and Siebel Foundation.”

Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County – Vero Beach, Fla.

Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. provides free sailing instruction to the children of Indian River County and adaptive sailing for children and adults. They are funded primarily through the generosity of private donors living in Vero Beach and have been in business for 10 years.

All 23 schools in Vero Beach are Title I with 55% of the 18,000 students on free or subsidized lunch. Many of their sailors had never been in a boat before coming to Youth Sailing Foundation. By providing free sailing instruction, they are building confidence and self-esteem to those who most need the opportunity to succeed that sailing provides.

“It is an honor for the Youth Sailing Foundation to have been chosen as a center for the Siebel Program,” said George Hinman, YSF Board Member and Sailing Committee Chair. “Working with middle school children, some of which are underprivileged, fits directly into our existing programs. Having US Sailing provide the Fevas, along with an instructor trained in the values of the Siebel tradition, is a home run for the youth sailors of our community. We look forward to a new and exciting chapter that the Siebel Program provides to YSF of Indian River Shores.”

Team Paradise – Miami, FL

Team Paradise Sailing is located at the US Sailing Center in Coconut Grove, Florida. They provide sailing as an accessible activity for everyone, including veterans with disabilities and others with physical and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities, and for the under-resourced youth in their community. They have specifically designed programs tailored for participants with physical and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities, as well as for the under-resourced youth. Their boats are customized and adapted to match the abilities of the crew so that no one has a barrier to participation. continue reading 

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