Dear Sailor

Over the last several years, there has been a great deal written about the future of sailing, particularly around junior development and long term participation in the sport.

Many experienced sailors have expressed concern that local fleets have become smaller, volunteerism has declined, and younger sailors often struggle to find a clear place in sailing once they move beyond traditional junior programs.

At the same time, Clubs across North America are now seeing something extremely encouraging.

Young sailors are showing up in large numbers to learn dinghy foiling.

Not because someone told them they had to.
Because they are excited about it.

That excitement has created an opportunity that many Clubs have not seen in years:
the chance to build active, mixed generation sailing communities around local fleet sailing once again.

Through and the growing network of HUBs, Clubs and programs are gaining access to shared boats, coaching support, organizational resources, and fleet development tools designed to help local sailing communities grow sustainably.

The mission behind the program is simple:
Keep Them Sailing.

And while the boats may be modern, the opportunity itself is actually very traditional.

Young sailors need mentors.

They need experienced sailors on the dock helping them rig for heavy air.
They need race committee volunteers.
They need someone to explain weather patterns before racing.
They need stories about past regattas and past fleets.
They need adults who are excited to see them succeed.

Most importantly, they need to feel welcomed into the larger sailing community.

This is where the HUB model becomes so exciting.

At many HUBs, junior sailors are launching alongside college sailors, parents, former collegiate racers, Masters sailors, and longtime Club members who may not have raced a dinghy in years.

That kind of environment creates something that has become increasingly rare in modern sports: a genuine multi generational community.

The has become an effective platform for this because the boat is exciting, approachable, durable, and designed for true one design fleet racing. More importantly, it gives Clubs a modern fleet boat that can support a wide range of ages and experience levels within the same local fleet.

But ultimately, this effort is not really about the boat.

It is about the people around it.

Across North America, there are sailors with decades of experience who understand racing, seamanship, weather, sportsmanship, volunteering, and Club culture. Many of those sailors have quietly watched the sport evolve from a distance over the years.

Today, there is an opportunity to reconnect directly with the next generation in a meaningful way.

Not through formal programs or complicated commitments.

Simply by showing up.

Helping launch boats.
Driving a coach boat.
Greeting new families.
Running races.
Mentoring young coaches.
Offering advice after racing.
Sharing a laugh on the dock after a windy day.

These moments matter more than most people realize.

Young sailors rarely remember every result from a regatta years later.

They do remember the adults who encouraged them.
The Clubs where they felt welcomed.
The sailors who took time to help them improve.
The feeling of being part of something larger than themselves.

That is how lifelong sailors are created.

USFoil was formed as a charitable effort to help Clubs and programs create those opportunities more consistently by lowering barriers to entry and supporting sustainable local fleet growth.

The hope is not simply to create better racers.

The hope is to create stronger sailing communities.

Communities where young sailors remain involved long after junior sailing.
Communities where adults and juniors sail together regularly.
Communities where local racing thrives.
Communities where experience and knowledge continue getting passed forward.

And perhaps most importantly, communities where young sailors continue showing up at the Club because they genuinely love being there.

There is tremendous optimism in many of these developing fleets right now.

Docks are busy.
New sailors are asking questions.
Parents are volunteering.
Older sailors are returning to help.
Young coaches are developing quickly.

For many Clubs, it feels less like rebuilding and more like rediscovering something that sailing has always done well at its best: bringing generations together around the water.

For experienced sailors who have wondered how they can help shape the future of the sport, this may be one of the simplest and most rewarding opportunities in years.

Come down to the dock.
Meet the sailors.
Share your experience.
Help build the next local fleet.

The next generation is already arriving.

See a list of local HUBs or sign up your Club to join the Swarm!

Learn about what it means to become a HUB.

Donate your used WASZP to a HUB by contacting us here.

Fill out a Volunteer Interest Form.