A champion sailor from Kelowna was honoured as an inspiration for female athletes this week.
Gillian Thomson, director of the Learn to Sail program at the Central Okanagan Sailing Association, was recognized in Vancouver for her commitment to improving opportunities for girls and women in sport in B.C.
“I never thought there were barriers,” said Thomson, who began sailing in her mid-30s. “In a dinghy club, it‘s easier for girls to get access to lessons and youth-development programs.
“But I realize there aren‘t as many (female) role models in sailing as males.”
ProMotion Plus, a provincial organization dedicated to promoting sports opportunities for girls and women, selected Thomson for her work in the under-19 category.
She received the leadership award at this year‘s Women in Sport Conference on Thursday, International Women‘s Day.
“Through (Thomson‘s) effort, the Learn to Sail program . . . has expanded from 60 to a record 2,000 students in 2006. It is the largest and most successful program of its kind in Canada and is unequalled in North America,” said Sheila Wynn, minister responsible for seniors‘ and women‘s issues.
Thomson, 53, has already been named one of the most influential people in B.C. sailing by Pacific Yachting Magazine, a local sport hero by Sport Kelowna and Canada‘s 2006 sailor of the year by the Canadian Model Boat Association.
She helped develop the International Trapseat 16 catamaran class for disabled athletes. And she has placed first, second, third and fourth while competing in six world Hobie 18 championships.
COSA nominated Thomson as a candidate for the ProMotion Plus award. She got the call that she was one of two winners last week.
“It‘s a huge honour,” she said. “The program we have is not the result of one person‘s effort. Obviously, many people at COSA worked toward the success of the program we‘ve got here.”
COSA is the only sailing school that has twice won the title of best sailing school in Canada – in 1992 and 2000. Sailing may be perceived to be a male-dominated sport, but slightly more girls than boys are now taking sailing lessons there, Thomson said.
“There are opportunities for young girls to become certified sailing coaches and work in that field at COSA,” she said. “I feel fortunate to represent such a great club.”
Lessons for adults begin in early May. Children can learn to sail beginning in early July. And the club‘s youth-development program will be on the water later this month.
For more information, call 764-2203 or visit www.cosa.bc.ca. Top of Page
