Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club
2026-10-07
The Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club is incredibly proud to see two remarkable individuals from our community recognized by Sail Canada on the national stage for their contributions to sailing.
Photo courtesy of Sail Canada
Congratulations to Ian Lunt, recipient of Sail Canada's 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award. Ian's extraordinary leadership, dedication, and commitment to the sailing community were instrumental in the success of the sailing competition at the 2025 Canada Summer Games and have helped strengthen the sport in Newfoundland and Labrador for years to come.
His efforts began long before the first race as he spearheaded a massive community effort to secure the “field of play”, notably by coordinating a complex fleet of boats from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Coast Guard, Marine Institute, and private club members. His ability to mobilize these diverse groups ensured that the athletes had a world-class environment in which to compete. Ian was also recognized for his true leadership qualities, defined by how one reacts to the unexpected, when the competition began.
This included when the “field of play” faced unprecedented challenges at these Games, when nearby forest fires broke out. Ian’s recent appointment as President of Sail NL is a testament to his ongoing commitment to the sport and his reputation as a leader who welcomes teams from across the country with open arms.
Photo courtesy of Ned Pratt
We are also honoured to recognize the posthumous induction of Christopher Pratt into the Sail Canada Hall of Fame. An internationally renowned artist, Past Commodore, and Life Member of the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club, Christopher captured the elegance and spirit of sailing through his celebrated paintings and prints, leaving a lasting legacy both on and off the water.
These well-deserved honours reflect the passion, leadership, and commitment that continue to define our sailing community. Congratulations to Ian, and to the family and friends of Christopher Pratt, on these outstanding national recognitions.
Sail Canada’s annual awards ceremony was held on October 4 at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax.
Read more about the awards here:
https://www.sailing.ca/ian-lunt-named-sail-canada-volunteer-of-the-year/
