11th Hour Racing Suppports US Sailing Reach Initiative11th Hour Racing, a Newport, RI-based program established by The Schmidt Family Foundation that specializes in fostering strategic partnerships within the sailing and marine communities to promote collaborative systemic change for the health of our marine environment, has provided an educational grant to US Sailing. The $100,000 grant will fund US Sailing’s efforts to grow sailing as an educational platform for youth through the Reach initiative and bring more awareness to environmental and ocean stewardship.  © reach.ussailing.org

“We are thrilled that 11th Hour Racing has demonstrated confidence in US Sailing’s Reach and put their valued resources behind this critical initiative,” said US Sailing Executive Director Jack Gierhart “Reach has a unique ability to engage kids about STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math] education through sailing, while teaching them about leadership, teamwork and self-confidence.”

Developed in 2012, US Sailing’s Reach initiative was created as a national education venture to inspire schools and sailing programs to utilize sailing to teach STEM subjects and stewardship to youth. Originally piloted through the support of the John B. “Jim” and Nelly Llanos Kilroy Foundation, Reach has established itself as a pioneer and leader in the integration of STEM education with sailing.

“11th Hour Racing is excited to support the Reach Program’s innovative approach of integrating youth sailing education with meaningful environmental stewardship,” said 11th Hour Racing Co-Founder Jeremy Pochman. “US Sailing is uniquely positioned to provide community sailing centers across the country with STEM curriculum and high quality training. By furthering their investment in the inspiration and education of young ocean stewards, they clearly demonstrate their commitment to protecting the health of our waters now and in the future.” For more information, visit reach.usssailing.org.