Sunfish Youth Scholarship 

How can being part of a sailing program benefit today’s youth?

What involves a heavy dose of “fun” and healthy social interaction includes learning many of the character traits that help define a successful adult. And to think the youth can develop some of these characteristics outside the classroom while sailing, launching from a beach, laughing with the competitors on either side, sitting on a start line waiting for the final “GO” horn, and perhaps even helping a competitor with a rigging tip. A simple but amazing concept is at work, a concept the Sunfish Class wants to promote, engage in and play a role in helping develop tomorrow’s champion starting with today’s youth.

What characteristics are we talking about?

Why Donate?

To help grow our Sunfish Class while also benefiting youth sailors, the Sunfish Class Association is offering youth scholarships. Because promoting Youth sailing requires a 24-7 mindset, we will continue to share ideas about what our members can do to help. Look in every future Windward Leg newsletter for suggestions and to hear from members who have accomplished a successful effort. You’ll note we’re starting with the opportunity to contribute to this worthy program so that future youth sailors can benefit.  On our website you’ll find a Scholarship Application that must be completed and submitted so that the Scholarship Committee – Vicki Palmer, Lee Parks, Sonya Dean, Lyndsay Kresic – can review and respond as quickly as possible. The success for the future of our Class and helping empower youth to prepare them for adulthood, at the same time, is dependent on our every effort, our every dollar. Contact Committee: sunfishyouth@gmail.com 

APPLICATION

Purpose:  To advance the sport of Sunfish sailboat sailing and racing and to assist sailors in their participation in events that would bring honor and distinction to themselves and the Sunfish Class Association.

Requirements:  The youth has to be a Class member and has to have sailing experience on a Sunfish. The age requirement is 18 or younger.  If the youth turns 19 on January 1 or later of the year of the event, he/she exceeds the age limit. So designating the date of birth on an application is important.

Scholarships will only be issued for Sunfish world-qualifying events which includes Regional Regattas, the Women’s North Americans, the North Americans, the Midwinters, and a World Championship.

Please submit an application at least 60 days prior to an event to give the Committee time to review the application and respond in a timely manner for the recipient to make plans to register and travel, if required.

The youth will have to compete in a world-qualifying event the year before a World Championship in order to qualify for a scholarship. For example, if wanting to compete at the 2024 World Championship to be sailed at the Rush Creek Yacht Club in Rockwall, TX, a youth will have to sail in at least one world-qualifying event in 2023.

Applications to compete in next year’s World Championship cannot be submitted until January 1 of that year so that the number of Sunfish world-qualifying events sailed in the previous qualifying year are officially recorded in Class Race Results.

Conduct:  A competitor’s actions, both on and off the water, must reflect well on the individual as well as the Sunfish Class Association. Sportsmanlike actions, for example, include: (1) Be cooperative, supportive and respectful of other people and their property, (2) Sail within the Racing Rules of Sailing, and (3) Be gracious in victory or defeat.

Selection Process:  Financial help shall be awarded based on several factors including, but not limited to: (1) Funds available, (2) Number of requests received, (3) Financial needs of the individual.  Notification of the status of a scholarship will be made within 30 days upon receipt of the application.

Terms and Obligations:  Grantees shall provide receipts or other written evidence for all reimbursable expenditures.