Letter Log
March 2019
30° 25.60’N 86° 35.58’W
George Goodall Wins Al Byrne Award
Before a crowd of over 1200 people at the All Sports Association Banquet, on Friday,
February 15, George Goodall was presented the highly secretive and prestigious Al Byrne
Award. This award is given to an individual from a four-county area who exemplifies
leadership in youth sports. George was honored for his long devotion to youth sailing.
George joined the Fort Walton Yacht Club in 1974 and began sailing and racing. In 1992,
George became one of the founders of the Emerald Coast Sailing Association
(ECSA). George developed funding sources to support sailing lessons through ECSA, and
took up the task of organizing the lessons, hiring U.S Sailing certified instructors,
coordinating dedicated volunteers who helped maintain the Optimist Prams, the Sunfish,
coach powerboats, and equipment, as well as administering the non-profit corporation.
Under his direction and involvement, these children received summer sailing lessons with
the added benefit of life-long skills such as decision-making, problem solving, confidence
building, leadership, and independent thinking, all while having fun and learning to sail.
George formed High School Sailing Clubs in the early 2000s because youngsters who
participated year after year in the summer lessons wanted more. Five high school sailing
teams were formed, and each high school joined the Interscholastic Sailing Association
(ISSA) which is a nationwide organization governing secondary school sailing in the United
States. Students began practicing at the Fort Walton Yacht Club and the Bluewater Bay
Sailing Club. George taught these student athletes the rules of racing, caring for the boats
and sails, while coaching them in speed and tactics.
Twice each year, in the Spring and Fall, the Okaloosa County High School Sailing
Championship Regatta is held at the Fort Walton Yacht Club. This regatta was recently
renamed the Goodall Okaloosa County High School Sailing Championship.
George has been active in the Fort Walton Yacht Club, serving as a Director multiple times
and as Fleet Captain three times. His participation in the Gulf Yachting Association (GYA)
as a sailing judge and an officer brought him to eventually being elected Commodore of the
GYA. George was also active in the Fort Walton Sail and Power Squadron.
George’s life's work during his retirement years has been promoting, coaching, organizing
and perpetuating youth sailing. His photo will remain on display throughout 2019 as part of
the All Sports Association exhibit at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. George will be
honored at FWYC for receiving this award during the April General Membership Meeting
on Sunday, April 7, 2019.
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