The Louis J. Thibodeaux Youth Sailing Program was formally established as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit corporation, effective December 6, 2022. The program is a subsidiary of the Pelican Yacht Club that was formed as a nomprofit corporation in Louisiana in 1960. The Club has had a presence on False River since its formation. The two organizations have a close working relationship and are mutually supportive.

Aquisistion of Optimist Prams, the sailboat used internationally to teach youths how to sail, was one of the first tasks undertaken on behalf of the Program. Whereas new an Optimist Pram sells for $3000-$3500, that amount was out of the question for the Program. Fortunately, youths growout of Prams, so there is a reasonably robust market of used boats. Because of that, the Program was able to purchase four boats, all in reasonably good shape, for a total of about $4000!

Early efforts were made to establish a partnership relationship with BREC, specifically to establish the Milton Wampold Memorial Park on the LSU Lakes as the base for youth sailing camps in East Baton Rouge Parish. Unfortunately, the Lakes dredging project intervened thus precluding that possibility. Wanting to have a presence in East Baton Rouge Parish but without a viable sailing venue for the Optimist Prams and Sunfish, an interim strategy was adopted. That strategy encompassed the acquisition of five radio-controlled (RC) Victoria-class sailboat models. The models, approximately 40” high and 30” long, with rudder and sail trim controls were acquired from the Herons Bay RC Sailing Club in North Fort Myers, FL. The models, rather than Optimist Prams, would be used to teach the fundamental principles of sailing- not ideal but a feasible interim solution. However, the ultimate goal of the Program is to be able to etablish a permanent base for its finanacila summer sailing camps in EBR Parish at the Wampold Park on the LSU Lakes.

A second venue was established on False River, the birthplace of the Pelican Yacht Club. This venue, the floating pier at the New Roads Waterfront Park, can accomodate the various sailboats to be used in the learning to sail camps- Optimist Prams, Sunfish, and a Flying Scot.

In addition to contributions to the Program by friends, family, and colleagues of Louis, the Program has received a financial grant from The Boo Grigsby Foundation. In-kind support and volunteers have beeen provided by agents from the Pointe Coupee and East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H Programs, and members of the Pelican Yacht Club. The Pelican Yacht Club has also agreed to allow the Program to use its Sunfish and Flying Scot for instructional purposes. The Program is also appreciative of the cooperation and support of the City of New Roads.

The Program is a member of the US Sailing Association who’s mission is to increase sailing participation and excellence through education, competition and equal opportunity, while upholding the principles of fair play, sportsmanship and safety.

Organizationally, the activities of the program are guided by a team ot two directors, a Board of Directors, and a set of Bylaws. Future plans include the establishment of an Advisory Panel whose purpose will be to help guide the Program’s corporate giving campaign.

Directors

Roger K. Seals is a retired university civil engineering educator of 40 years and a sailor beginning with ownership of a Sailfish, the predecessor of the Sunfish, starting in the late 60’s. What followed was an almost 20 year period of non sailing for graduate studies and a first job at a university with no convenient sailing venues. Arriving in the State in 1980 to assume a professorial position at Louisiana State University, he shortly joined the Pelican Yacht Club and acquired his first real sailboat, a Catalina 22. In 1983, he became acquainted with Louis Thibodeaux who had accepted the directorship of the LSU Hazardous Waste Research Center, an EPA-supported center. Along with Louis came his Catalina 25 that he decided to moor in Bayou Castin off Lake Pontchartrain. After crewing for Louis for several races on the Lake, Roger decided to resign from the Pelican Yacht Club and focus on racing in the Lake. It soon became apparent that a larger, spinnaker equipped sailboat was needed. The choice was a Ranger 26 named Raparee. Having some racing success with the Ranger, Roger was motivated for a even larger sailboat and formed a partnership with Louis to acquire a Jeanneau 34- Sea Hawk. He raced the Jeanneau, sometimes with Louis and sometimes without him in the Lake and along the northern Gulf Coast. In the late 90’s, Roger decided to retire from active racing and concentrate on cruising. That decision required the sale of Sea Hawk and the acquision of a cruise-friendly sailboat, a Beneteau Oceanis 32- Reverie (renamed Last Dance). Shortly thereafter, Last Dance was sailed to her new mooring on Robert’s Bayou near Perdido Bay, Alabama. Subsequent to his retirement in 2005, a partnership was established for the Beneteau with another couple who lived on the west shore of Perdido Bay. The seminal cruise undertaken and accomplished by the partnership was a 2000 nm, 3 month, roundtrip cruise to the Exumas, Bahamas, in 2008. Owing to the lack of creature comforts on the Beneteau, the partnership took the giant leap to a catamaran, a 34 ft Gemini 105Mc, interestingly named Sea Hawk. After several cruises, one to south Florida and one to New Orleans, the decision was made to sell the Cat. At that point, he rejoined the Pelican Yacht Club and formed a new partnership with Louis to acquire a Catalina 22. Unfortunately, Louis’s health began to deteriorate, leading to his untimely death in August 2021. Before undertaking the effort to manage the development of the Louis J. Thibodeaux Youth Sailing Program, he served two terms as Commodore of the Pelican Yacht Club.

Robert (Bob) Kennedy retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield after 33 years of service, He was active in leadership of community service organizations including Jaycees, Church Council, and Chamber of Commerce. He also served as a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross, As an active member and leader in the Pelican Yacht Club for the past 18 years, he served in a variety of capacities including Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, and Director. He was instrumental in locating and acquiring a storage shed for the Club’s facility in Jarreau on the island side of False River and served as one of the principals in the relocation of a portion of the Club’s assets to Marina Del Ray in Madisonville, LA. In 2023, he played a leadership role in the Club’s SoLou Regatta and Teekell Sunfish Race Series. Over the past several years, he has served as a vounteer for the Maritime Museum Louisiana Annual Wooden Boat Festival held at Madisonville. In recent years, in addition to be an active sailor on False River, he has raced and sailed on Lake Pontchartrain. To date, his racing has been in conjunction with the Northshore Corinthian Sailing Association of which he is a member. He particularly favors crewing on a classic 40-ft wooden ketch, Ondene. Having previously owned and sailed a McGregor 26, he now favors a partnership with two other Club members of a Catalina 22, Fleaux, that is moored in Marina Del Ray. Along with his fellow director, he is affiliated with the US Sailing Association.

Sponsors

The Boo Grigsby Foundation

JJL&W Insurance Consulting Firm