Sail Canada to introduce Cruising, Power, Navigation and Offshore Sailing Excellence Award

Cruising, Power, Navigation and Offshore Sailing Excellence Award © Sail Canada

Sail Canada is pleased to announce the creation of a new annual award, the Cruising, Power, Navigation and Offshore Sailing Excellence Award.

The Cruising, Power, Navigation and Offshore Sailing Excellence Award will aim to recognize exemplary seamanship, leadership, and contribution to Canada's cruising community through exceptional voyages, safety leadership, navigation excellence, or the advancement of cruising culture in Canada. The award will highlight individuals whose accomplishments extend beyond formal instruction and whose actions uphold, foster, and demonstrate the highest standards of safe, responsible, and inspirational cruising.

"Cruising, powerboating, and navigation represent a significant part of how Canadians experience our waters, yet excellence in these disciplines often takes place outside of formal instruction or certification," said Sail Canada Chief Executive Officer Ryan Kelly. "Working with the Cruising Subcommittee, we created this award to recognize individuals whose seamanship, leadership, and judgment set a high standard for safety, skill, and responsibility, and whose contributions meaningfully strengthen cruising culture in Canada. By highlighting exceptional voyages, navigation excellence, mentorship, and service, this award celebrates real-world achievement and reinforces the values of safe, capable, and inspiring participation that are central to Sail Canada's cruising, power, and navigation programs."

To be eligible, nominees will need to be a member of Sail Canada and demonstrate excellence in cruising achievement or seamanship and have contributed meaningfully to the advancement of safe cruising practices in Canada. They will need to demonstrate excellence in two or more of the following areas: Exceptional Cruising Achievement, Seamanship & Safety Leadership, Navigation & Offshore Competence, and Advancement of Cruising Culture in Canada.

The first Cruising, Power, Navigation and Offshore Sailing Excellence Award is expected to be given out in 2026. The nomination process will be launched at the same time as for all the other Sail Canada Annual Awards in the coming weeks.

More information regarding the Sail Canada Cruising, Power, Navigation and Offshore Sailing Excellence Award is available here.