About Southern Idaho Sailing Outreach
Mission
The mission of Southern Idaho Sailing Outreach (SISO) is to promote sailing and sailing instruction for the people of Southern Idaho, with an emphasis on youth education. We will accomplish this through:
Fundraising
- Improvement of small boat dock facilities at Lucky Peak Reservoir
- Development of strategic community and corporate partnerships
- Purchase and management of a fleet of small sailboats for instructional purposes
- Certification of qualified sailing instructors
- Promoting sailing instruction with an emphasis on youth sailing and safety
- Fostering and coordinating continued partnerships to make sailing a vital part of our community
History
Southern Idaho Sailing Association (SISA, our "sister" organization) has been promoting recreational sailing and racing in Southern Idaho for more than 30 years. The Board of Directors recognized the need for sailing education and better sailing opportunities in Southern Idaho, especially at Lucky Peak State Park near Boise. A few initial meetings culminated in the formation of our outreach and education arm – Southern Idaho Sailing Outreach – and the development of our vision and mission. We elected a Board of Directors and developed a business plan and Articles of Incorporation. We were incorporated in the State of Idaho in late 2017 and received our 501 (c) (3) letter of determination from the IRS shortly thereafter.
Through the efforts of a small group of volunteer sailors, we soon began planning and fundraising. Since 2017, we have raised more than $200,000 in grants, charitable donations, and in-kind services. In partnership with the City of Boise, we launched our first week-long sailing classes in the summer of 2019. These first classes were a huge success and we are planning for 10 week-long sailing camps in the summers to come.
New Docks for Small Boats
Our new docks are specifically designed for small non-motorized boats, making it easier for novice sailors to enter and exit the water without the stress and hazards of avoiding larger motorboats. To date, we have raised more than $120,000 in grants and matching funds for a dock improvement project at Lucky Peak State Park’s Spring Shores Marina. Two grants from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Waterways Improvement Fund made it possible to install 51 low profile docks in 2018 and 2019. Our appreciation to Ada County Waterways for partnering on this grant process! To see more about our progress over the years, click here.
Sailing Instruction
SISO initiated a partnership with the City of Boise Department of Parks and Recreation to train and certify sailing instructors and to provide administrative support for sailing classes and camps. We also raised enough funding to purchase an initial fleet of instructional sailboats and interim coaching/safety boats. In 2019, we launched our first week-long sailing camps at Lucky Peak Reservoir, and in the future that program will be expanded considerably. The development of strategic partnerships with the City of Boise, Idaho State Parks, US Sailing Association, and Ada County, along with significant community funding support has allowed this program to move forward. To see more about our youth sailing camps, click here.
Administration
Our program is administered, managed, and directed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Members. These individuals bring a wealth of enthusiasm and diverse background of experience and expertise to our program.