oregon youth sailing foundation

Get More Oregon Youth Sailing!

See the OYSF Sailing Film Festival Short-Film Competition

THE NEWS

about oysf

OYSF aims to keep sailing alive and active in Oregon by making it accessible to young people, with a focus on those who otherwise would not have the opportunity to be on the water. The programs we support connect youth to the joy of sailing and the life skills and confidence it helps build.

Founded in 2007, Oregon Youth Sailing Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that establishes programs and makes grants for the support of youth dinghy sailing in Oregon. OYSF succeeds by accomplishing its mission to “get more Oregon youth sailing” from all walks of life.

As of 2024, OYSF has raised over $700,000 and funded boats, sails, facilities, equipment, travel and free community sailing programs throughout Oregon for the African Youth Community Organization, Blueprint Foundation, Camp ELSO, Center for African Immigrants and Refugees, Coalition of Black Men, Columbia Gorge Racing Association, Fulbright Program, Girls, Inc., Gorge Junior Sailing, Gorge Sailing Team, Eugene Yacht Club, Imagine Possibilities, iUrban Teen, Lewis & Clark College, Metropolitan Family Services, Neighborhood House, Oregon Boating Foundation, Oregon Corinthian Sailing Association, Oregon Maritime Museum, Oregon State University, Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center & Rosemary Anderson High School, Portland State University, RiversWest Small Craft Center, Sail2Change, Sea Scouts, Self Enhancement, Inc., Ukrainian Foundation, University of Oregon, Willamette Sailing Club, Wind & Oar Boat School, Yaquina Bay Yacht Club, and more...

OYSF’s current major projects include:

• Community Sailing Program provides free sail and job training to teens in the PDX area with limited river access

• Sustainable Sailing Campaign for fleet expansion throughout Oregon

• Collegiate Sailing Fund sustains college sailing in Oregon by supporting coaching and program costs

• Equipment Fund accepts cash and in-kind donations to provide equipment for youth sailing programs

Partners

the programs we support

The Oregon Boating Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to get you out on the water safely. We operate out of Newport – on the Oregon Coast – where we have access to some spectacular waterways. The values that guide us include collaboration, safety, inclusion, financial responsibility, service, and stewardship. […see more]

Oregon Boating Foundation

The Sailing Club at OSU is a place where students and faculty are welcome to be part of a social and dynamic team that offers both recreational and competitive sailing at all levels. We hope to pass on our passion for this exhilarating and unique sport that is sailboat racing but offer non-competitive sailing instruction as well. […see more]

Oregon State University Sailing Club

Since 1991, RiversWest Small Craft Center has been promoting the use of sustainable, beautiful boats built to operate on the human scale. For some of our members, that means restoring historically correct wooden boats. For others, it is a chance to design and build with the support and input of a like-minded group. […see more]

RiversWest Small Craft Center

Welcome to Sea Scouts, a youth program that combines fun, the the adventure of boating, and the intrigue of maritime tradition. Sea Scouts is a coed program offered by the Boy Scouts of America to young adults 14 years old (or 13 years and completed the eighth grade) through age 20. Sea Scouts love boats and the water, learn sailor’s skills, work together as a team, set and achieve personal goals – and they have fun doing it.

Sea Scouts – Cascade Pacific Council

Self Enhancement, Inc (SEI) is dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize their full potential. Working with schools, families, and partner community organizations, SEI provides support, guidance, and opportunities to achieve personal and academic success. SEI brings hope to individual young people and enhances the quality of community life.

Self Enhancement, Inc.

Engaging young people and inspiring learning through the art, science, and craft of building wooden boats. Partnering with public schools and youth serving organizations, we deliver STE(A)M (science, technology, engineering, art, math) programming to underserved youth across the Portland Metro region in elementary school through post-secondary settings.

Wind & Oar Boat School

the team

the ones who keep this boat afloat

Woody Blackford

Secretary

Woody Blackford acted as OYSF President from March 2015 until November 2019. Woody is a very active boater both sail and power. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and started boating “at birth”. Woody became one of Canada’s top youth laser sailors in his teen’s. [see full bio…]

Tavie Keo

Board Member

I’m a Program Manager at iUrban Teen with a passion for helping BIPOC youth in career exploration and education. I graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology, where my love for helping others and learning about different cultures truly blossomed. [see full bio…]