Youth Sailing Program

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LJT Youth Sailing Program

More details on the website…

www.ljtyouthsailing.org

The program was initiated as a fitting memorial to Louis J. Thibodeaux who was a loyal and active member of the Pelican Yacht Club. Louis introduced his two children and seven grandchildren to sailing. Over his more than 50-year sailing career in Arkansas and Louisiana, he owned and sailed a Catalina 25, a Jeanneau 34 and a Catalina 22. The latter vessel was affectionally named FLO to go with the heavily lashed eye painted on her bow. Louis was a successful racer but spurned participation in the spinnaker fleet. His bareboat charter cruises included the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Turkey, the Sea of Cortez, and Saint Martin/St. Barts.

  • The Louis J. Thibodeaux Youth Sailing Program is committed to providing safe, high quality education and training programs to prepare youths 8-17 years of age for lifelong enjoyment of sailing. Recruitment will target both the Greater Baton Rouge and Madisonville-Covington areas with a particular inclusion of youths from underrepresented groups. Learning will take place in a safe atmosphere of fun and friendliness so characteristic of the program’s namesake.

    • Offer sailing education programs for youths ages 8-17, including youths from underrepresented groups.

    • Equip participants with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to helm a sailboat competently and safely.

    • Promote and nurture the development of leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork skils.

    • Provide a comprehensive program of educational and practical activities ranging from rigging, launching, recovering, maintaining helming, crewing, to racing a sailboat.

    • Identify and encourage good environmental practices and stewardship related to sailing and water resources.

    • A somewhat longer-range goal is to incorporate and integrate STEM principles into the principles of sailing.

    • Provide scholarships to assist youths from underrepresented groups to participate.

  • Effective December 6, 2022, the Program achieved status as a 501 (c) (3) charitable nonprofit corporation. The Program is further classified as a Public Charity. It is anticipated that the Program will initiate summer sailing camps during the summer of 2024.