Page 72 Lake Ontario Offshore <strong>Racing</strong> <strong>Guide</strong>
Lake Ontario Offshore <strong>Racing</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> Page 73 The Broad Reach Foundation providing disadvantaged youth with sailing opportunities By Randall Withell and Marguerite Pyron The Broad Reach Foundation for Youth Leaders Dictionaries define sailing as: “The action of sailing in a ship or boat … An act of beginning a voyage or leaving a harbour.” True sailors know and describe sailing in terms that are much broader, deeper, and much more meaningful than any dictionary Sailing is indeed a way of living, not only a sport and science. It’s an experience that adds great value to one’s life. As soon as one gets out on the water, regardless of age, regardless of the vessel or the waters below the boat. Out there is a different, chosen world with its own pace and beauty, with excitement and unpredictability, with risk, danger, and a deep satisfaction that these variables can be mastered and – often later -- enjoyed. Growing in skill, knowledge and understanding of what a sailor needs to sail the boat with the power of wind and water; to safely leave and return to port; to happily raise a pint, to share it with friends and plan the next day out. The Broad Reach Foundation for Youth Leaders believes that what you, the sailor experiences, is equally valuable to what a disadvantaged youth experiences when stepping aboard a sailboat – the chrome that shines, the sails that billow, the cut of spray from bow, the sleek of wake from stern! And yes, they are timid and fearful: I don’t know what I’m doing! I’ve never been on a boat before! I can’t swim! And then there is: I am here, this is my adventure, this is my new way of being, that I never knew before: on the street or in the homeless shelter. Always confused as to what the future holds, puzzled as to how they fit within a community of people they do not know, the kids leave their troubles ashore and come back better for it. The waters open for the sailor, league upon league. The waters also open, league upon league, for the disadvantaged youth, who don’t know what it means to really sail, to be fearful and respectful in a good way and with good people lending a hand. These kids, some of whom had no idea that Toronto is on a lake, in a day or two, will take the helm as they never Photo - courtesy of The Broad Reach Foundation took before, they will laugh and hear that laughter roll back to them, in rejoice and recognition, because now they can believe that learning leads to more choices, more courage, more curiosity. They come off the boat smiling, with appreciation and with more hope. Sailing is a microcosm of life where these kids find new ways of working out solutions. For 20 years, the Broad Reach Foundation has ensured that disadvantaged youth do learn from the experience of sailing. That they benefit from the values gained from the crew, the weather and the comfort of good fun and shared belonging. With the success of 20 years under our keel and, in addition to seeking more corporate sponsorship and support, our three-year plan at Broad Reach includes: • Expanding the depth and impact of our program • Hosting two annual sailing regattas: at The Boulevard on 22 June and at the National on 7 September