It is said that time passes softly on a sailboat, and that is certainly true for Ron Schute, owner of Advantage Boating, as he celebrates twenty successful years teaching Ottawa-area sailors and boaters.   Advantage Boating (formerly Ottawa Sailing School) got its start in 1992 by offering a single course with a single instructor on the mighty Ottawa River.  Today, the school offers a wide range of educational programs provided by over 30 instructors in Ottawa, Kingston, and the Caribbean, and boasts thousands of satisfied and skilled alumni.

As Ron puts it, “The past twenty years have been a blur. I really want to thank all of our excellent instructors along with our supporters who have helped us out along the way to be able to offer so many different programs aimed at safety and fun on the water for both novices and experienced boaters alike. It truly is a privilege to work with such fun and dedicated people."

The big bash
Advantage Boating will be celebrating the end of its 20th Anniversary year with a big thank you dinner in December. This celebration is in recognition of the dedicated team of instructors who pass on their love for the sailing lifestyle year after year to new eager and enthusiastic students that can’t wait to get onto the water to apply their new skills.

Reflecting on the pleasure of teaching, Ron noted that, "For an instructor, it’s very satisfying to have a student you have taught tell you that they are taking off on an offshore sailing adventure with no fixed return date, or when you get notes from past students from faraway destinations thanking you for getting them started.  There's just no feeling like it."

Helm change
In addition to its anniversary celebrations, the school is also undergoing some significant changes.  After 17 years at the helm, Kim Moffat is stepping down as School Director to be closer to her family in the Toronto area. Replacing her will be Geoff Lanning, who will take up the new position as of December. Originally from the Prince Edward county area, Geoff has passed on the sailing bug to many others while he was an instructor. Geoff is now able to combine his passion for sailing with his knowledge and experience accumulated from past positions in the hospitality and recreation industry with a focus on customer service.

To kick off the next 20 years, Advantage Boating is setting sail in the Caribbean with several unique offerings, including racing options for the Heineken Regatta in St. Maarten and the “must do” Antigua Race Week.  Looking ahead, Ron is philosophical: "Our measure of success lies in bringing the pleasure of sailing and boating to as many people as we can.  If we can keep doing this, I will have considered this time well spent."

For more information: www.advantageboating.com