Canadian Yachting Association Appoints New Executive Director

After an eight month national search the Canadian Yachting Association is pleased to announce Paddy Boyd is its new Executive Director effective September 15, 2009.

Boyd is a skilled executive with experience in both the administration of the sport of sailing, and the boating industry. A former Chief Executive and Training and Development Officer of the Irish Sailing Federation, in addition to a skilled administrator, Paddy is an experienced offshore racer, cruising instructor, yacht broker and master mariner. As the manager of the Irish Olympic Sailing Team at both the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2000 Sydney, Australia Olympic Games, Paddy brings a wide range of skills to carry the CYA to the next level of sailing excellence, with the support and guidance of the Board of Directors.

Paddy, has and continues to serve on a number of committees of the International Sailing Federation including the Youth and Development Committee (2000 2004), and the Offshore Committee 2000 to the present. He also was the Irish representative to the European Boating Association and holds a number of commercial and sailing competency certificates including Deck Officer Class 1 Master Mariner.

Paddy is married and three children. He and his family are in the process of relocating to Kingston.

In order to ensure continuity Peter Wood, Interim Executive Director since October 2008, has agreed to assist in the transition by being available on an as needed basis.

The Canadian Yachting Association is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in Canada. It is financially supported by Sport Canada, Federal Government Department of Heritage. The Associations mission is to encourage participation and excellence in sailing and racing. The CYA achieves its goals through collaboration with its 10-member provincial sailing associations and close to 300 member sailing clubs. The Associations head office is located in Kingstons Portsmouth Olympic Harbour complex.