October 20, 2026

On October 6, 2026, Sail Canada announced that Ian Lunt from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, has been awarded Sail Canada’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes volunteers for their outstanding contributions to sailing activities at Sail Canada member clubs, sailing schools and regattas. Their contributions can be related to activities by the candidate(s) over a period of years or to a specific event or program during a particular year.

Nominations were evaluated based on a time period ranging from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

Ian Lunt was the Sport Representative for the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s. He was not only a volunteer, but also the local connection to the sailing competition and the bridge between the national stage and the Newfoundland sailing community.

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. He served as Sail Canada’s “eyes and ears” on the ground, managing everything from equipment logistics to the recruitment of a highly committed local volunteer team.

He also got prepared and ready to react as he took every opportunity to undergo officials training, training as a Club Race Officer, Judge and Mark Lawyer. He also inspired others to do the same by encouraging them to train alongside him, permanently increasing the officiating capacity of the local sailing community.

Then, he showed his true leadership qualities, defined by how one reacts to the unexpected, when the competition began. The sailing venue faced unprecedented challenges at these Games, including in matters of emergency management and adaptability when forest fires broke out, while he showed technical versatility when a gap opened in the results team.
His dedication did not end with the closing ceremonies, as his 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.

From the nomination form: “Ian was the best!! There was no job too small and definitely no job too big for Ian to take on, or at the very least, to ensure that things were taken care of. His hospitality combined with a willingness to lead from the front, while also being equally capable of leading from behind the scenes, was essential to the success of his role. He inspired us all, led us all and delivered a memorable event. Ian made Newfoundland and Labrador home for us all, he is an extremely worthy recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award. He represents the very best of the volunteer spirit: tireless, technically proficient, and unflappable in the face of crisis. He is a credit to Newfoundland and the Canadian sailing community.”

“I am honoured to receive this award on behalf of the Newfoundland and Labrador sailing community and all the volunteers who made the 2025 Canada Games a big success,” said Ian Lunt. “In particular, all the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club members and the shore team led by Capt. Kris Drodge, who gave their time to adapt to changing schedules, long days and the impacts of the devastating wildfires in the province whilst giving the sailors an experience of a lifetime.’

“Grassroots sailing in Canada relies on volunteers in so many ways: to run regattas, maintain equipment, run and maintain our clubs and wharves, and drive sailors and trailers around the country (while keeping the snacks coming!). For me, and I’m sure for many others, what makes volunteering worthwhile is seeing our sailors learn and develop both on and off the water. Our sport is about so much more than sheeting in, or hiking hard – it is a doorway to new opportunities and experiences. For this I will always be eternally grateful.”

“And to those who haven’t had the chance to experience sailing in Newfoundland and Labrador, my adopted home has some of the most spectacular rugged landscapes, incredible marine life and wonderful people that I’ve found in 30+ years of sailing. Yes, it’s a bit out of the way, but well worth the effort!”
More information on the Volunteer of the Year Award is available at https://www.sailing.ca/volunteer-of-the-year-award-past-winners/.