The Author
Author
When Nicholas Hayes’ book Saving Sailing (Crickhollow Books) burst onto the scene, it quickly reached Amazon’s bestseller lists in the Sailing and Outdoor categories, and stayed there for 64 weeks. More importantly, it re-introduced sailing to American families, not as a sport of the wealthy, but as a surprisingly accessible, affordable, lifelong family activity.
Saving Sailing advocates intergenerational mentoring (to encourage more young sailors to stick with the activity into adulthood), and for families to look at sailing and other complex outdoor activities as an opportunity to learn and grow together. Sailors appreciate it for its familiar stories and the opportunity to reflect on sailing in the bigger picture. Sailing clubs and programmers appreciate its advocacy of the core role of sailing in building leadership and problem solving skills and stronger communities.
Hayes continues to write about sailing, parenting and families.
- His latest published work is “What the Race to Mackinac Means” for the book Sailing – Philosophy for Everyone (Wiley-Blackwell, 2012)
- He is currently collaborating with renowned illustrator Renee Graef on a new series of sailing books for children and families.
Volunteer
Hayes contributes significant time to community work. He chaired the Program Committee of the YMCA Camping Services Group and served on its Board for three years. He was a Director of the Milwaukee Yacht Club for four years, helping to renew its youth training facilities. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, leading its Program Committee, helping to set long term strategy.
Sailor
Hayes is an avid sailor with thirty years racing experience, starting on penguins, scows, and Solings, and graduating to big boats and sport boats. His sailing resume boasts thousands of course races and offshore miles in the Chicago-Mackinac, Queen’s Cup, Hook, and Trans-Superior races, winning many.
Hayes lives in Shorewood, Wisconsin with his wife Angela, and his daughters Kate (17) and Elizabeth (14), all decorated sailors. The Hayes family actively races and cruises together on Syrena, a B-32, out of the South Shore Yacht club.
Career
Hayes is a partner at the research and strategy consultancy FiveTwelve Group since 1998, where he studies global water, energy, infrastructure and technology markets for Fortune 250 clients.
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Nick
You had an interesting quote in an article you wrote for Spinsheet Mag a few months back. I would like your permission to use it in a video I am putting together. It’s to promote a regatta who’s ultimate goal is to garner exposure for sailing with the objective of rebuilding sailing in Virginia Beach, VA. The paraphrase of the quote was that “sailing is hard” (I don’t recall the exact quote). Let me know if it’s something you would consider.
Thanks in advance
Greg Lanese
BBSA
Hi Greg.
Thanks for your message. Of course, you’re welcome to use the quote. You might find it, in its complete form, here. http://savingsailing.com/2010/09/01/sailing-is-hard-thats-why-its-good/
Good luck with your video. Please send a link when it’s done, so I can help get the word out.
-Nick
Nick, lost your e-mail 2 virus’s ago.. Wicked is on the mend. Bottom close. Single point lift next year maybe. Chris is looking for your e-mail, not sure why, we sand and polish and miss the chit chat sometimes.
fka WarBird
Let me know what you’re schedule looks like. Like to meet-up at least a coupla’ times.
Tell Chris to email at nickhayes(at)savingsailing.com.
See you soon!
Nick
Nicholas,
I have purchased your book and find your thoughts on sailing most interesting.
What you say applies here in Australia as well.
Your views on family and mentor sailing fit perfectly with a program we have called Access Sailing-Sailability which uses Australian designed Access yachts – mini dinghy / keelboats, which enable adults and children to sail together.
We have made film of what we do at my Club, Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron ,Port Phillip. The short sequences are on you tube if you search “ACCESS SAILING BLAIRGOWRIE”
Thanks for your book. I will try to have key people in the Australian Sailing Community read it and consider your ideas.
Regards,
Brian Jones.
Thanks, Brian,
I’ll look it up and post. While I’m sorry our countries share this similarity, the solutions are borderless too. Keep in touch!
Nick