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The Youth Nautical Education Foundation (YNEF) is an all-volunteer organization focused on providing a wide range of learning opportunities to the Youth in our community. YNEF began as the Yachtsmen’s Committee in 1986 and became a 501c3 foundation in 2009 raising significant funding for Junior sailing, High School sailing, competitive regattas and seminars and provide 12 Scholarships to local sailors each year.
Support the Youth Nautical Education Foundation (YNEF) and leave your mark at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club’s iconic Sailor’s Corner. YNEF is hosting a unique fund-raiser where you can purchase an engraved paver to honor your family, loved ones, or simply showcase your name as a proud supporter of Youth Nautical Education Foundation.
Each paver will be permanently placed at Sailor’s Corner, creating a lasting tribute while supporting a worthy cause. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly toward providing opportunities and resources for aspiring young sailors to learn and thrive in the sport.
To participate, simply fill out the provided form and mail it along with your check to the address listed. It’s a simple way to be a part of something bigger—supporting the next generation of sailors while becoming a part of Grosse Pointe’s Nautical Legacy.
Act now to secure your place in Sailor’s Corner and help foster a love of sailing for years to come!
By providing sponsorships, scholarship support, and attending Fund-raisers you can play a vital role in sustaining and expanding junior sailing. Contact us for details:
jjmorrow4@comcast.net
(313) 510-4058
788 Lakeshore Rd.,
Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236
YNEF has provided to the Challenge the Wind Learn to Sail program equipment, restored docks on Belle Ille and is in the process of helping them secure a new building.
Liam Walz and Abie Griggs are a US men’s 49er team training to compete for a bid as the US representatives in the 2028 Olympics.
The Youth Nautical Education Foundation (YNEF) is proud to have supported one of its sailors in competing at the 2024 Youth Match Race World Championship, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Many folks are not aware of the high school sailing teams in our area. There are a total of 28 high schools in the metro Detroit area that have sailing teams as a varsity sport.
In 2025, the Youth Nautical Education Foundation (YNEF) proudly awarded twelve students with $2,000 college scholarships. Since the program began in 2012, YNEF has granted a total of 150 scholarships. Of these, twelve have been permanently endowed to ensure ongoing support for future students.
Scholarships are granted based on applicants’ sailing involvement in the Detroit Regional Yacht-Racing Association Club Junior Programs, participation in high school or college freshman sailing teams, and their academic performance.
This year’s scholarship recipients were honored during a celebratory brunch held on May 18 at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Pictured below and right are the 2025 honorees.
The application for the 2026 YNEF Scholarship is now available at ynef.org/scholarships. All completed applications must be submitted to the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club by April 5, 2026.
