A few weeks ago coaches, sailors, and yachting enthusiasts gathered in Halifax, Nova Scotia to discuss…you guessed it…sailing! While there, I had the opportunity to visit some fantastic dinghy clubs thanks to my good friend Craig Guthrie, an americano, and a drive all over the province. There are some fantastic people doing fantastic things for competitive sailing on the east coast. In particular, hats off to Guy Tipton and the folks at Shelburne Harbour Sailing Club, who have started a competitive team full of enthusiastic youth sailors in a small town of roughly 1200 people.
It’s always a beautiful thing when someone comes along, sees an opportunity for community involvement, and simply rolls up their shirt sleeves and gets on with it. Guy Tipton and his crew down at Shelburne are just those types of people. The town of Shelburne is small, and the yacht club isn’t your big and shiny Royal type, nor does it come with the cash that would normally larger programs. But this in no way hampers the fun and learning happening out on that bay. In a fleet of Albacores, youth sailors train from spring to fall, and just so happened to show up to the Canadian Youth Champs this summer and kick some Club 420 ass!
Take a look below at some of these great clubs that Nova Scotia has to offer, including the one and only Shelburne.
Hubbards, a fantastic club where the focus is dinghies dinghies dinghies. The clubhouse is functional and spacious, a place where debriefs and fitness can take place without fear of pestering the blazer crowd.
Chester, a summer haven for folks in the area. Don’t these chairs just make you want to sit back and eat tasty snacks after sailing? Plus, the open water and beautiful breeze are second to none! This is also the home to Nova Scotia’s Opti program.
Shelbrune Yacht Club’s new (or rather old) junior club house. Previously a boat house for building Nova Scotia’s famous schooners from as early as the 1850’s, it is now home to hoards of avid Albacore racers and is down the road from the tastiest fish and chips you can get your greasy fingers on. Plus, the Tiptons have recently purchased a gorgeous old building to turn into Shelburne’s newest micro brewery. I know where I’ll be holding my debriefs!
Guy Tipton and executive member outside of Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club…the culprits behind all the fun.
thesaltysister 
Hello Jen
Thanks for your article about sailing in Nova Scotia. Craig is doing a great job of fostering the growth of sailing clubs and he deserves some praise for his efforts.
I would like to straighten out a few facts. Although Guy Tipton and Shelburne are getting some great results, especially in the Albacore class, the Youth National Club 420 results were by the RNSYS race team. The “Squadron” team made up the entire NS contingent at the Youth Nat’s and placed 1, 3, 4 in Club 420; 1, 4 (top female), 8, 10, 19 (3rd female) in Laser Radial, 7 in Laser (full rig) and 2nd in 29er (coached by Craig).
Thanks for straightening us out Chris!