ABYC Youth Racing

Meet Callum Ruch ⛵️
Callum Ruch’s parents, Jillian and Chris, share their perspective on his journey through the ABYC racing program, the impact sailing has had on his growth, and their experience supporting him along the way. Their story highlights how racing shaped Callum both on and off the water.

1. What were the first steps you took to get involved in the racing program?
Callum spent a year in the Sailing School Wetfeet camp before completing CanSail 1. An instructor noticed his potential and suggested Green Fleet Optis. We attended the open house, and Callum joined Green Fleet in 2016 before moving into Champ Fleet.

2. In what ways has racing helped Callum grow outside of sport?
Racing helped shape who Callum is. It taught him independence, teamwork, structure and resilience, while travelling with other families helped him grow more comfortable outside his family. He learned to listen to coaches, learn from others and stay calm under pressure. Sailing has also given him an international community and allowed him to travel the world.

3. As a parent, what was it like supporting a young sailor?
It has been an interesting and rewarding journey. Our role was to support Callum’s goals while helping with the planning, travel and logistics. We also became involved as team leads, board members and sailing school volunteers, and helped start a regatta at ABYC. It became a family and community experience we truly enjoyed.

4. What qualities or habits helped Callum succeed?
His passion and determination helped him most. He learned to work with his team, listen to coaches, accept feedback and try new things. Most importantly, he developed resilience and learned not to let difficult racing days get to him.

5. What would you encourage families considering the racing pathway to keep in mind?
Be prepared for the travel, logistics and costs, but enjoy the journey. Sailing creates incredible experiences and communities. If your sailor loves it, be ready for an amazing ride, from boat ownership and international travel to far too many wetsuits! It is a commitment, but for our family, it has been worth every penny and changed our lives for the better.

🔥 GIRLS, LET’S SAIL! ⛵️💨

Ready to sail faster, race smarter, make new friends and have a seriously fun week on the water?

GIRLS IN SAILING WEEK
📅 Aug 31–Sept 4 | 9 AM–4 PM
👧 Ages 10–18 | CANSail 1+

From first starts to racing tactics, mark roundings, speed, foiling & more, this week is all about building skills, confidence and community—with an awesome crew of female sailors and ABYC race coaches leading the way. 💪🌊

⛵ ILCA • 420 • RS Zest • Opti
⚡ Foiling option for experienced sailors
💬 Team building + racing insights
🏆 Learn from national-level sailors

Come for the sailing. Stay for the crew. Leave inspired. 💙

https://abyc.ca/youth-programs

Good breeze. Great team. Even better training. Another day spent pushing our limits on Lake Ontario. ⛵

Open House for Racing!
Is it time to up your game and learn how to race with experienced coaches?
Come to our Open House on Tuesday July 28, 5-7;30 at the Bay Bell point and learn all the details and opportunities.

⛵️Congratulations to all of the winners from last weekends Seahorse Regatta!

We also want to thank the organizing committee of the Seahorse Regatta, and everyone who helped make this event possible! From the volunteers and officials to the coaches and supporters, your efforts made for an incredible weekend of racing and community.

2026 Sail Central at ABYC Seahorse Regatta Awards List

Optimist Class
1st Place Overall (Paul Brennan Cup winner) Zackaria Hashim (PCYC)
2nd Place Overall – Asli Memis (PCYC)
3rd Place Overall – Jessie Gao (RCYC)

1st Place Overall Female – Asli Memis (PCYC)
2nd Place Overall Female – Jessie Gao (RCYC)
3rd Place Overall Female – Matilda Mercer (PCYC)

1st Place Red Fleet – Zackaria Hashim (PCYC)
2nd Place Red Fleet – Asli Memis (PCYC)
3rd Place Red Fleet – Jessie Gao (RCYC)

1st Place Blue Fleet – William Dinsmore (RCYC)
2nd Place Blue Fleet – Cooper Lenzi (ABYC)
3rd Place Blue Fleet – Kelson Li (NYC)

1st Place White Fleet – Grayson Kemp (RCYC)
2nd Place White Fleet – Matilda Mercer (PCYC)
3rd Place White Fleet – Jazz Ji (ABYC/WVYC)

Midfleet – Kelson Li (NYC)

C420 Class
1st Place Overall
Erika Watanabe-Ellis & Alexandra Reeves (QCYC)
2nd Place Overall
Peter Frost-Hunt & Ben Joice (QCYC)
3rd Place Overall
Tomas Gendron & Etienne Rioux (NYC)

1st Place Overall Female
Erika Watanabe-Ellis & Alexandra Reeves (QCYC)
2nd Place Overall Female
Elin Hidinger & Lara Blume (RCYC)
3rd Place Overall Female
Rachel Liu & Gwyneth Maclean (BLVD)

Midfleet
Sasha Smirnov & Evelyn Thomas (BLVD)

ILCA 4 Class
1st Place Overall – Charlotte Nugent (RCYC)
2nd Place Overall – Serenity Le (OST)
3rd Place Overall – Arjen Liu-Ernsting (PCYC)

1st Place Overall Female – Charlotte Nugent (RCYC)
2nd Place Overall Female - Serenity Le (OST)
3rd Place Overall Female – Ella Jones (OYS)

Midfleet – Ilya Posthumus (ABYC)

ILCA 6 Class
1st Place Overall (Sarah Douglas Cup winner) Eva Doucette (BYC)
2nd Place Overall – Andres Noriega (OST)
3rd Place Overall – Alec Bostan (RCYC)

1st Place Overall Female – Eva Doucette (BYC)
2nd Place Overall Female – Annika Hoogland (OST/ABYC)
3rd Place Overall Female – Ava Ge**er (RCYC)

Midfleet – Alistair Dawes (BYC)

Do you want your summer to look like this? ☀️🌊

At ABYC, every day brings new adventures, unforgettable memories, and time spent on the water with friends. Make this summer one to remember!

It’s not too late to make your summer look like this, sign up now at https://abyc.ca/youth-programs

⛵ Ready to Take Your Sailing to the Next Level?

If you love the thrill of speed, strategy, and competition, the ABYC Race Team could be the perfect fit!

Join us for our Race Team Open House and meet our coaches, sailors, and families. Learn about our Optimist, ILCA, and Club 420 racing programs, ask questions, and discover how racing can help build confidence, teamwork, and advanced sailing skills.

📅 Tuesday, July 28
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club

Whether you’re already racing or looking to make the leap from learn-to-sail to competition, we’d love to meet you.

Come see what makes ABYC Racing an incredible place to grow as a sailor—on and off the water!

We have wrapped up the first session at ABYC. Between the windy days, the sunsets by the lake, and all the laughs shared with an amazing group of people, this has already been such an incredible start to the summer. Session one is over, but there’s still so much more ahead. ⛵️🌅