About Gorge Sailing Center

Our Story

The Gorge Sailing Center grew out of the long-respected Gorge Junior Sailing program — a nonprofit founded in 2005 to introduce the joy of sailing to youth and families in the Columbia River Gorge. What began as a small, learn-to-sail initiative in the Hood River marina has evolved into a vibrant community sailing hub serving all ages and skill levels. This evolution spurred on a name change in late 2025.

Founded by Jaime and Andy Mack, both past US Sailing Team members, in partnership with Hood River Community Education, the program brought small-boat sailing to the Gorge for the first time. With the support of local organizations such as the Port of Hood River, Hood River Yacht Club, and Columbia Gorge Racing Association, sailing became accessible, safe, and fun for hundreds of local students.

Today, the Gorge Sailing Center carries that tradition forward — expanding programs, classes, and community outreach while preserving the spirit of discovery that launched the program two decades ago.

Our Mission

The Gorge Sailing Center is dedicated to promoting the lifelong sport of sailing in a safe, fun, and educational environment. Through hands-on instruction and mentorship, we help sailors of all ages develop not only sailing skills but also sportsmanship, teamwork, independence, and responsibility — values that last far beyond the dock.

Our Growth and Leadership

From our early Optimist dinghy classes to today’s O’Pen skiffs, Club 420s, advanced racing, and adult learn-to-sail programs, the Gorge Sailing Center continues to expand access to sailing in the Pacific Northwest.

Under the leadership of Mallory Bozina, the program launched the highly successful Gorge High School Sailing Team and received national recognition, including US Sailing’s Outstanding Seasonal Program Award (2011).

In 2017, the organization became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, governed by a volunteer board of directors, then led by Trevor Bozina, ensuring long-term sustainability and community stewardship.

Our current Director, Jed Reitman, supported by the Gorge Sailing Center board, is expanding our program offerings to include more adult sailing and keelboat lessons, in addition to fostering new youth sailors exploring high performance racing.

Our Vision

As the Gorge Sailing Center grows, our vision is to be a regional hub for sailing education, community recreation, and competition in the Columbia River Gorge. We are striving to make sailing accessible, inclusive, and fun, inspiring a new generation of sailors who love the wind, water, and adventure of the Gorge.