HISTORY
The Jib Set Sailing School was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1968, with the aim of providing its members with access to the world of sailing without the commitments of boat ownership.
The brilliance of its founder, Les Alfreds, shone throughout its long history as over 22,000 people took to the water with the Jib Set. The Jib Set's crowning achievements were in the areas of community, mentoring, seamanship and most importantly - FUN. After Les' passing, the organization continued with Janet Stamper at the helm. Janet’s passion for sailing and never ending help for fellow sailors personified the Jib Set and its values.
In the late 1980s, the Jib Set lost its Clubhouse to the development of False Creek. While reappearing as part of the West Coast School of Seamanship (WCSS) shortly thereafter, this reincarnation was short-lived.
In 1991, Cooper Boating acquired the WCSS and the Jib Set name. Club activities continued to flourish under the Cooper banner and in the fall of 2007, Cooper’s management, staff and club members voted to revive the Jib Set. The date of the club’s revival was June 24th, 2008.
While things have changed since the original red foresails of the Jib Set were last seen on the waters of English Bay, in this age of the Internet, YouTube and the iPod, the need for sailors to connect with other sailors to learn and have fun together is as fundamental today as it was then.
Many former 'Jib Setters' have expressed their delight with the idea of reviving the club that they remember so fondly. If you are a former 'Jib Setter' please drop by our Granville Island base and share some of your memories.
The time has come to resurrect the JIB SET - the sailing club for everyone - and to build on its legacy. Let’s unfurl those red sails once more - together!
The brilliance of its founder, Les Alfreds, shone throughout its long history as over 22,000 people took to the water with the Jib Set. The Jib Set's crowning achievements were in the areas of community, mentoring, seamanship and most importantly - FUN. After Les' passing, the organization continued with Janet Stamper at the helm. Janet’s passion for sailing and never ending help for fellow sailors personified the Jib Set and its values.
In the late 1980s, the Jib Set lost its Clubhouse to the development of False Creek. While reappearing as part of the West Coast School of Seamanship (WCSS) shortly thereafter, this reincarnation was short-lived.
In 1991, Cooper Boating acquired the WCSS and the Jib Set name. Club activities continued to flourish under the Cooper banner and in the fall of 2007, Cooper’s management, staff and club members voted to revive the Jib Set. The date of the club’s revival was June 24th, 2008.
While things have changed since the original red foresails of the Jib Set were last seen on the waters of English Bay, in this age of the Internet, YouTube and the iPod, the need for sailors to connect with other sailors to learn and have fun together is as fundamental today as it was then.
Many former 'Jib Setters' have expressed their delight with the idea of reviving the club that they remember so fondly. If you are a former 'Jib Setter' please drop by our Granville Island base and share some of your memories.
The time has come to resurrect the JIB SET - the sailing club for everyone - and to build on its legacy. Let’s unfurl those red sails once more - together!
