Susan Reddaway with Rick Smith (holding plaque), and Sportsmanship Award Recipients.
Long-time sailor, racer, teacher and friend Susan Reddaway died in early October. At age 66, it wasn’t her time. With nearly 30 years as junior sailing program director at both Lake Lanier Sailing Club and University Yacht Club, she touched hundreds of lives, introducing youngsters to sailing about the time many of them were beginning first grade.
“I met Susan when I was just old enough to sail my own Opti. I will never forget the awe I have always had for her,” said Sophia Ostervold, who began the program as one of Susan’s first students, barely old enough to see over the sides of an Opti sailboat. “She was the first badass female sailor I ever met. She was my first sailing coach.
“I grew up being coached by her, eventually became a coach myself, and later became head coach and had the privilege of working alongside her for many years at UYC,” Sophia said. “She helped build the UYC Jr. Sailing Program, which was one of her pride and joys. Susan led the program with the core belief of ‘Let’s learn to sail, be safe, enjoy the lake and have fun!’ I can confidently say I would not be the person I am today without her. She inspired me every single day, and encompassed strength, wisdom and leadership.”
Reddaway was a second-generation Lake Lanier Sailor, who as a 13-year-old first came to Lake Lanier Sailing Club with her parents and two brothers in 1972. She soon learned to sail and along the way became known as a patient, steady, skilled and competitive racer.
According to her obituary, “Susan grew up immersed in the sailing culture. As a young person, she participated as a student, counselor, and director of the LLSC Junior Program. After becoming a member in 1986, Susan devoted decades to the club, contributing her talents both on and off the water. She was a respected organizer, race committee member, helmswoman and a skilled crew member, proudly representing LLSC in local, regional and national events.
Along with other members from the sailing community, she volunteered for the 1996 Paralympic Sailing events, based at Aqualand Marina.
Susan was Commodore of LLSC in 2011 after serving on numerous committees, special events and sailing seminars and workshops.
In 2010, Susan was tapped to help initiate the University Yacht Club/UYC Maritime Foundation’s Junior Sailing B program. She served as the program’s director, developing age-appropriate curricula for students ranging in age from 6 to 16 for the multi-day summer sessions.
Susan and five female teammates, all members of LLSC, campaigned a J-24 in 2011 in the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship. Susan was on the helm. Among their competitors were Olympic class sailors. The Lake Lanier team, Team Classic, had a respectable finish.
“Susan left a wonderful legacy at University Yacht Club,” said Rick Smith, former UYC Commodore and club member who worked side by side with her from the launch of the program. She was an Honorary Member of UYC and was part of the inspiration and creation of the UYC Junior Sailing Program 16 years ago, serving as Program Director since the program’s inception. More than 500 juniors have participated in the program, many for multiple years. Susan touched all their lives, and, by extension, the lives of all their families.
“She was particularly proud of her relationship with the Junior Coaches, all of whom she recruited, trained, mentored, counseled, and guided. At last count, there have been at least 42 coaches, many coaching for multiple years, Smith said. “Many of the coaches were UYC ‘home grown’ who started their journeys into sailing as junior sailors in the UYC program. Many others were ‘home grown’ in the LLSC program, which she also led for many years.
“Most of the UYC coaches were recipients of the coveted Sportsmanship Award, which Susan established because she strongly believed that sportsmanship was a vital part of becoming a good sailor, and, of course, a better person,” Smith said. “With Susan’s encouragement, many coaches achieved US Sailing Level 1 Certification, and one also Level 2 Certification. Some have gone on to coach at other prestigious sailing programs across the county.”
Susan and her mom Francie, at Christmas
The family has requested that instead of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Susan Reddaway to UYC Maritime Foundation online at uycmaritimefoundation.org/donate/ or to the LLSC Junior Foundation at llscjuniorsailingfoundation.org.
Group Photo at top: Photo: by University Yacht Club/Rick Smith
