US Sailing and RS Sailing have formed a partnership to provide equipment and support for the Siebel Sailors Program. The partnership designates the RS Feva XL as the primary boat to be used for instruction and racing in the Siebel Sailors Program, with 120 boats to be provided to public access sailing programs across the country.
In April, US Sailing announced the launch of a landmark community sailing program made possible by a ground-breaking donation from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation. The purpose of the program is to increase opportunity and diversity in the sport of sailing by providing resources and support to youth sailors at public access sailing centers across the country.
US Sailing, through the Siebel Sailors Program, will provide fleets of sail boats, equipment, and expert coaching at community sailing centers initially in five regions across the country. The Program will significantly enhance community sailing center programming, advanced skill development, and competitive opportunities for young sailors.
“We needed a boat for the Siebel Sailors Program that would be fun to sail, incorporate teamwork, and help with skill development,” said John Pearce, Youth Director at US Sailing. “The fact that the RS Feva is a two-person boat allows sailors to work together and be social. The size of the boat is perfect for students in the 10 to 15 age range, which is a critical time for learning new skills and fostering a passion for sailing.”
Siebel Sailors will have access to a range of sailing experiences and boat types, with the RS Feva XL as the primary boat. The RS Feva XL, manufactured by RS Sailing, is one of the fastest growing doublehanded sailboat classes in the world. With a modern sail plan and controls, and a durable, performance focused hull, the RS Feva is an ideal training platform for the Siebel Sailors Program.
The RS Feva allows sailors to learn proper techniques in a safe boat that is unintimidating for users, while inspiring confidence and teaching lifelong sailing skills. The forgiving nature of the boat and a rotomolded plastic hull, requiring only light maintenance, has helped make the RS Feva popular for training and the racing circuit. The most impactful strength of the RS Feva is the retention power it offers to users who are new to sailing.
“The entire RS Sailing team is incredibly proud to participate in the Siebel Sailors Program and to partner with US Sailing to support core values, which so closely mirror our own,” said Jon Partridge, Chief Executive Officer of RS Sailing. “Since we started 25 years ago, our number one goal has been to build our sport, and within that a necessity is to create opportunities to diversify those participating. We live it every day which is why our slogan is #SailItLiveItLoveIt. We are excited to see the program launch and together make one step of many to inspire a new generation of sailors.”
Learn more about the Siebel Sailors Program at www.siebelsailors.org.
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
