Ontario Sailing is excited to announce the return of the Ontario Sailing Symposium, being held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Abilities Centre in Whitby, Ontario. Returning for the first time since 2021, the Symposium will bring together leadership, staff, and volunteers from Member Organizations across the province for a full day of learning, connection, and shared discussion.
Designed to strengthen Ontario’s sailing community, the Symposium will create space for attendees to exchange ideas, explore common challenges, and identify practical opportunities that support the sport and the people who make it thrive.
On the Lifted Tack — Together
This year’s theme, “On the Lifted Tack — Together” represents our community and our strive to grow together. Focusing on key themes including volunteer recruitment and retention, building robust policies and managing club risk, trends in the sport of sailing, and diverse marketing strategies focused on sustaining and increasing membership. The program will feature four full-group keynote sessions, a 90-minute small-group discussion session facilitated by Ontario Sailing staff and community leaders, networking opportunities, and lunch.
Featured Sessions
- Volunteer Retention, delivered by Dr. Julie Stevens, Brock University Professor and Sport for Life Consultant.
- Marketing Strategies for Membership Growth, delivered by John Stevenson, Brand Repositioning Strategist.
- Risk, Policy, and Safe Sport Environments, delivered by Steve Indig of Sport Law.
- The Future of and Emerging Trends in Sailing, delivered by Ryan Kelly, CEO of Sail Canada, and Murray McCullough, Executive Director of Ontario Sailing.
Registration
Registration for the Ontario Sailing Symposium is now available. Click here to register and secure your spot at this year’s Symposium.
Join us in Whitby as we come together to learn, connect, and move sailing in Ontario forward — “On The Lifted Tack – Together”.
