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Running Free February 2026
From the Bridge
What a conference it was. Gathering together so many passionate members of the tall ship community — crew, educators, captains, port partners, and tall ships advocates — is always one of the highlights of our year, and this year’s event reminded us just how much energy and commitment lives within this organization. To everyone who made the journey and joined us: thank you. Your presence made all the difference.
Events like this don’t happen without tremendous support, and we are deeply grateful to our sponsors who continue to believe in the work we do. A special thank-you goes toAllen Insurance and Financial, our presenting sponsor, who once again demonstrated what it means to be a true and enduring partner. Their generosity and commitment year after year speak volumes, and we are fortunate to count them as not just a sponsor, but an incredible ally and resource to our community.
We also want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to theMaritime Museum of San Diegofor hosting our offsite evening. It was a memorable and fitting setting — surrounded by maritime history and the spirit of exploration — and they were exceptional hosts from start to finish. Thank you for opening your doors and making it such a special experience for our attendees.
Beyond the camaraderie and celebration, the conference serves an important purpose for me personally: it is, quite simply, a recharging point. One session early in the conference stood out in particular. We gave attendees the opportunity to share their successes, talk about what matters most to them, and identify areas where Tall Ships America can better serve their needs. The conversation was rich and illuminating. What struck me most was how closely so many of the ideas and priorities our members raised align with the work we’re already doing. There is more work ahead, of course — there always is — but knowing that we’re pointed in the right direction, and that our community sees and values that direction, is profoundly encouraging.
Back home in Rhode Island, I’m currently looking out at more than three feet of snow — but the seasons turn quickly, and before long we’ll be back on the water. We’re already excited about our partnership with SailBoston Presented by Meet Boston, where we’ll be delivering meaningful educational programming through an Educational Pavilion alongside an outstanding team of partners. It’s the kind of initiative that reflects exactly what Tall Ships America is all about.
We’re also well underway in building our muster lineup for the fall. Like most nonprofits, we’re keeping a close eye on grant deadlines and nurturing relationships with our key donors as we plan for the months ahead.
2026 is off to an exciting start, and I am honored to support your organizations and the extraordinary work you are doing on behalf of maritime education and the tall ship tradition. Please don’t be a stranger — we want to hear from you.
Reach out anytime.
Stu Gilfillen
Executive Director
2025 Annual Sail Training Awards
📷Matthew Cohen Photography. All of the award winners present at the ceremony. L to R: Captain Peter Bolster and Captain Laura "LP" Page, Living Classrooms Foundation; Captain Allison Taylor, Sea Education Association; Captain Lauren Morgens, Sam Heed, Captain Sharon Dounce, Kalmar Nyckel Foundation; Alan Olson, Call of the Sea.
Tall Ships America is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Sail Training Awards presented by Kong USA.Winners were recognized at an awards ceremony held a during the 2026 Annual Conference on Sail Training & Tall Ships on February 11. Your winners are:
TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Port of the Year- 2025 Great Lakes Series, Brockville Tall Ships® Festival
Nancy Richardson Volunteer of the Year Award - Jillian Votava
Young Sail Trainer of the Year - Anna Maria Hansen
Sail Trainer(s) of the Year - Captain Alison Taylor and Captain Laura “LP” Page
Michael J. Rauworth Leadership Award- Marguerite Pyron
Lifetime Achievement Award- Alan Olson
Sea Education Program(s) of the Year - Sailing Ships Maine and Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
Captain Frank J. Bailey National Maritime Excellence Fund Sail Training Program of the Year - Living Classrooms Foundation’s Francis J. Carey, Jr. Maritime Adventure aboard Lady Maryland.
Your feedback is so important to us. Please take the time to fill out the below surveys (or send us an email!) We do read all of them and take the responses into account when we plan for next year.
A Heated Rivalry Generates a Donation for Sail Training and Education
📷Captain Chris Nolan
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the 2026 Annual Conference on Sail Training and Tall Ships, a representative from the Daytona Beach “Snowbirds” ice hockey group presented a donation to Tall Ships America.
The donation stemmed from a fundraising game at the Daytona Beach Ice Arena, in which the Snowbirds divided into two teams. The “Axe Holes” defeated the “Axe Kickers” by a score of 5-3.
The teams are inspired by the group’s favorite watering hole, “The Iron Axe” in South Daytona, which is the traditional gathering place after games for those with extra time on their hands.
During the game, goaltending was exceptional – the traditional leading scorer, J.V., was held to three shots and no goals. No one knows J.V.’s last name. There were no injuries or fights, which is another great outcome for the event. “It was a GREAT skate,” said one skater.
After the game, Tall Ships America volunteer Chris Nolan collected donations from the players, ultimately presenting $1500 to the Tall Ships America Scholarship Fund, which will help dozens of students experience sailing aboard a tall ship this season.
The South Street Seaport Museum, located in the heart of the historic Seaport District, preserves and interprets the history of New York as a great port city. Founded in 1967, the Seaport Museum includes an extensive collection of works of art and artifacts, a maritime reference library, galleries, working 19th-century print shop, and a fleet of historic vessels that all work to tell the story of “Where New York Begins.”
Tall Ships America is excited to offer members two (2) free General Admission tickets. General admission brings you aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and the 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16, all into all the current exhibitions on view in the first-floor Schermerhorn Row galleries at 12 Fulton Street, including Maritime City.
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