Sailing is a family affair for third generation sailor
NWSA’s October 2024 Member of The Month, Tara Macaulay, hails from Halifax NS Canada. She gained interest in sailing as an 8-year-old. Her older brother started a sailing program but she was not old enough to attend. She begged and pleaded until the program allowed her to attend. Now she is a third generation sailor. Her grandparents were sailors and her dad sailed as a kid. But Tara’s not the last generation of sailors in her family. Macaulay’s three children are sailors and have competed internationally in Optimist, International 420, 29er, Waszp and SSL. Two of her children are racing on Farr 30 and Farr 40 and are sometimes on the start line competing against each other. Mom says, “Super fun.” The Macaulay family had the luxury of spending lots of time on Tara’s parent’s keelboat where husband Bruce and kids; Jackson, Finlay and Riley acquired a love for the sport.
Tara had an opportunity to sail/foil on a seriously fun and fast F18. She has been an involved sailor, volunteering in the community as a team leader and chaperone for international optimist teams. She tows boats, chairs international events for I420 and Waszp classes, and works on the race committee at Cork International.
Tara Macaulay — NWSA’s October 2024 Member of the Month
Tara Macaulay hails from Halifax NS Canada. She gained interest in sailing as an 8-year-old. Her older brother started a sailing program but she was not old enough to attend. She begged and pleaded until the program allowed her to attend. Now she is a third generation sailor. Her grandparents were sailors and her dad sailed as a kid. But Tara’s not the last generation of sailors in her family. Macaulay’s three children are sailors and have competed internationally in Optimist, International 420, 29er, Waszp and SSL. Two of her children are racing on Farr 30 and Farr 40 and are sometimes on the start line competing against each other. Mom says, “Super fun.” The Macaulay family had the luxury of spending lots of time on Tara’s parent’s keelboat where husband Bruce and kids; Jackson, Finlay and Riley acquired a love for the sport.
Tara had an opportunity to sail/foil on a seriously fun and fast F18. She has been an involved sailor, volunteering in the community as a team leader and chaperone for international optimist teams. She tows boats, chairs international events for I420 and Waszp classes, and works on the race committee at Cork International.
Sharing Sailing does not stop with Tara’s family
Recently she founded and chaired the inaugural Foil4All event preceding the Canadian SailGP Halifax providing foiling demo opportunities to over 100 participants over two days. She delivered a sail Canada coach clinic, and hosted an all female camp, which was a huge success and tons of fun.
If money was a non-issue Tara would spend more time in sunny south or warmer climates and spend more time on the water and sail more. Thinking about her dream sailing adventure Tara responded, “That’s a tough one. There are so many beautiful places to sail. Croatia, Bermuda, Greece, BVI’s. Bareboating is something we would love to do as a family sometime somewhere special. I would definitely purchase a Hanse, Jenneau or Beneteau 42ish… . I would keep the boat somewhere warm and live and travel by sail when possible.”
“I love family time sailing so would involve family.”
Tara says to women and girls interested in sailing, “Sailing is a fun, healthy, exciting way to get outside spend time on the water, make friends, try something new, be a part of a community and either sail recreationally or compete at any level.”
“Fresh air is important for physical and mental well being especially in the tech world we live in and sailing is an awesome way to do something adventurous and exciting outside. It is fantastic skill to learn and a sport you can do for life. Learning how to manoeuvre a vessel on water by using wind is not only special and fun, it is also challenging and rewarding.”
“Lastly, witnessing sunsets and sunrises from a boat on the water is also a magical experience and I highly recommend if ever presented with the opportunity. Time on the water is the best time.”