PCYA Seeks Nominations for Garrett Horder Trophy

The Pacific Coast Yachting Association (PCYA) is seeking nominations for the 2023 Garrett Horder Memorial Trophy. The trophy seeks to recognize excellence in youth sail training. It was introduced in 2000 and each year is awarded to “the member organization judged to have shown the greatest improvement in its Junior Boating Education program.” Nominations are open to youth boating programs from Southern California to British Columbia, though the nomination does have to come to the PCYA from one of the organization’s constituent regional associations. Current PCYA commodore Kimball Livingston says, “That’s not hard to arrange,” so youth sailing organizations are encouraged to make a submission.

Last year’s award, the 2022 Garrett Horder Trophy, went to the Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation (PYSF) in Redwood City. “They have a gangbusters learn-to-sail program and a robust racing component,” Livingston wrote. Operating under the guidance of 2012 Olympian Molly O’Bryan Vandemoer, PYSF provides instruction, coaching, practice, and racing opportunities for kids from age 6 through high school.

“What a fantastic honor for our program to receive the Garrett Horder Award for best junior program on the West Coast!” Vandemoer said upon being advised of the award last year. “When I came to PYSF just over 10 years ago, I was drawn to the sense of community and love of the sport that I found here. I saw amazing potential in a relatively small group of passionate folks. Now here we are, thriving, thanks to rock star coaches, supportive community members, volunteers willing to help in any way they can, and kids that love our sport. A big thank-you and pat on the back to all.”

The previous year’s award went to San Diego’s Silver Gate Yacht Club Junior Program. This non-racing junior program won the trophy, in part, because it teaches the pure love of sailing instead of competition. The Silver Gate YC’s program is designed around a small physical footprint and a high instructor-to-student ratio. Program director Kent Prater said at the time, “Making sailors for life is our priority, and we don’t take it lightly. We believe that pressure to always compete drives too many kids away from a sport they could enjoy for a lifetime.” In his submission to PCYA, while paying respect to racing programs that also turn out lifelong sailors, Prater described his system as complementary, attracting certain kids who experience Silver Gate’s offerings as a safety valve from the sharp focus of competition.

The Garrett Horder Memorial Trophy, a famed Currier and Ives print of the sail/steam vessel San Francisco, is over 100 years old and occupies a prominent mantel position at St. Francis Yacht Club. The original trophy remains in place while, each year, an engraved plaque inscribed with the name of the honored program is added to the original trophy’s list of awardees. A handsome keeper copy of the trophy is presented to the winning club.

It certainly sounds like a worthy trophy for a worthy recipient program. We know there are several youth programs around the Bay and along North America’s West Coast, so how about it? Do you know of a youth sailing program that could meet the award criteria? They’d be in good company.

You can see the full list of winners from 2000 onward here, and the judging guidelines here.

Email your submission in PDF or Word format to PCYA Commodore Kimball Livingston:  [email protected].

Submissions close on February 1.