April 28, 2026

This week, in Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest, we have the latest news from the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). That organization announced the recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Technician Awards during the International Marine Service Technician Week, April 20-24. Sponsored by CWR Wholesale Distribution, the awards were given to 10 technicians selected from nearly 100 nominees.

I’m delighted to recognize and send our Boating Industry Canada congratulations to Kevin Anderson from Crate’s Lake Country Boats in Orillia, Ontario and to Corey Mugaas from Hurst Marina Ltd., in Manotick, (Ottawa) Ontario.  If you read the story and click through to the brief biographies of these two Canadians and their fellow American Award recipients, I think you will agree that these are two top techs who rank with the best.

I must confess that I sometimes feel our Canadian market is a tenth the size of the boat business in the United States and that it’s tough for our people to compete in a huge forum like the ABYC membership, but here are two Canadians who won recognition.

As I think more about this, I feel confident that there were probably more Canadians who could have qualified and I wonder if they were just not entered.

Every year, I travel to marine industry shows and events in the United States and am included in the International group of marine journalists who are invited to the biggest media events, new product introductions and press briefings.

I’m not alone. There are several other Canadian marine journalists who are there with me, and we often meet other Canadians who are in the industry at the very highest levels. Brunswick in particular, has a significant number of Canadians in key leadership roles. Canadians can certainly compete and we sometimes lead.

I would encourage our industry to continue to aspire to the highest levels in the marine industry and to apply to the top courses, the most important committees and the leadership positions. I believe our contributions would be welcomed.

Thank you to Kevin Anderson and Corey Mugaas for reminding me that our Canadian techs are among the world’s best.

Andy Adams – Editor