Zim Regional Roundtables Coming to Tampa, Chicago, and Cleveland

Three More Roundtable Events Scheduled for January and February

BRISTOL, R.I. (January 10, 2024) - Zim Sailing is proud to announce the scheduling of three more Regional Roundtable events for the Southeast, Midwest, and the Great Lakes regions.

The Southeast Regional Roundtable, in partnership with the Florida Sailing Association (FSA), will be hosted by the Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, Florida on Friday, January 19th.

“Providing an opportunity for directors, volunteers, coaches, parents, staff, trainers, and more to bring topical issues to an in-person forum is a welcome way to start 2024!”, exclaimed Stephanie Webb, US Sailing Area D, Regional Sailing Committee, and Community Sailing Committee Member. Webb, who is also on the Leadership Team of the Florida Sailing Association continued, “FSA appreciates the collaboration of Zim Sailing and Davis Island Yacht Club in making this forum available, and we look forward to future collaborative efforts on behalf of sailing in our region”.

With the event less than two weeks away and already over a dozen organizations being represented, there are still spots available but those interested in attending are advised to register within the next week. Registration is free, as is for all Zim Regional Roundtables, and can be found on the Zim Sailing Regional Roundtable homepage, or direct access to registration here - https://forms.gle/SiehkoGxKnW583BA7.

The Midwest Regional Roundtable will take place on Saturday, February 17th and will be co-hosted by the Jackson Park Yacht Club and Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation in Chicago, Illinois. With support from the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation (LMSRF), the sailing community from both sides of Lake Michigan, north into Wisconsin, and as far west as Minnesota are expected to attend. This event will be capped at 40 attendees so interested participants are encouraged to sign-up soon, as the free registration for the Midwest Regional Roundtable is currently open and is already gaining interest throughout the region.

“We’re looking to draw youth program leaders to coordinate events, equipment, share challenges and solutions, and more in the first gathering like this in the region in over 10 years”, said Gail Turluck, Executive Secretary for LMSRF. “This special event will advance the impact organizations from all across the midwest can have on their sailors”.

The following weekend, the Zim Regional Roundtables head a few hundred miles east for the Great Lakes Regional Roundtable, hosted by Edgewater Yacht Club in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday and Sunday, February 24th and 25th. This special 2-Day event will feature one day of Youth Sailing focused topics like “Youth Offshore” and “Bridging the Gap (Competitor to Coach)”, followed by a day of Adult Sailing focused topics like “Adult Developmental Programs (Learn to Sail, Learn to Race, Learn to RC)”.

“We are excited to host one of the Zim Sailing Regional Roundtables, as these events embody the spirit of camaraderie, skill, and passion for sailing that define our club”, commented Karl Felger, On-The-Water Director at the Edgewater Yacht Club. “We look forward to welcoming sailors from across the region, fostering connections, and discussing some critical topics leading to the continued growth and development within the sport of sailing.”

Representatives from organizations all around Lake Erie and Ontario are expected to attend, including those from the Detroit area and as far east as Rochester and the New York Finger Lakes. Participants are welcome to attend one or both days as applicable to their sailing activities, but are advised that there are two separate registration forms for the “Youth” and “Adult” days.

Registration for the Great Lakes “Youth” Regional Roundtable on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Registration for the Great Lakes “Adult” Regional Roundtable on Sunday, Feb. 25.

Registration for the Zim Sailing Regional Roundtables are always FREE, and include a light breakfast, free lunch compliments of Gowrie Group - Risk Strategies, and attendee swag bag. The complete Zim Sailing Regional Roundtables updated schedules, registration links, and resources can be found at www.zimsailing.com/regional-roundtables. If an individual, club, or Regional Sailing Association is interested in hosting a Zim Regional Roundtable, please reach out to Josh Toso, Director of Marketing for Zim Sailing/Starting Line Sailing at Josh@StartingLineSailing.com.

Media contact and inquiries: Josh Toso, Director of Marketing, Starting Line Sailing Inc., Josh@StartingLineSailing.com

About Zim Sailing

Zim Sailing is the largest dinghy sailboat manufacturer and distributor in North America. Zim Sailing builds the highest quality sailboats available with manufacturing facilities at their headquarters in Bristol, RI, and also distributes several first-rate brands of sailboats including the RS Sailing product line and the Fighter Optimist dinghy. Zim Sailing is the foremost provider of sailboat parts and accessories, sailing apparel/gear, and charters for sailing regattas across the country, and one of the largest supporter/sponsors of sailboat racing in North America. Zim Sailing is passionate about the sport of sailing and is committed to providing the highest level of service for our customers and the sailing community. For more information, please visit www.zimsailing.com

About Zim Sailing Regional Roundtables

The Zim Sailing Regional Roundtables serve as a platform for individuals and organizations within the sailing community to connect, network, share concerns and best practices, learn from one another, and ultimately help each other develop solutions focused on their specific region of the country. Zim Sailing Regional Roundtables allow anyone interested in participating to contribute to the growth and development of sailing activities in their area. For more information, please visit www.zimsailing.com/regional-rountables