WHO WE ARE: ROSS BAILEY

Get To Know Your Local Sales Expert

How long have you been sailing and what boats do you race now?

I sail a Lightning, and I’m pretty sure Thunder Bay has the best dinghy one design racing in Canada. I’ve sailed since I was a kid but really started crewing when I was 13. When my Dad sold his boat, part of the deal was I would crew for the new owner. After several years crewing, I built a Lightning, raced it, and have since bought many more Lightnings and other dinghies, including Lasers and Laser 2’s. I would sail whatever was competitive within driving distance, or beyond. Although I’ve sailed a fair number of keelboats, I’m pretty much a dinghy sailor, and have sailed in Lightnings, Albacores, Lasers, Laser 2’s, 505’s. Whatever fleet was strong in the area. And of course DN’s in the winter.

What got you into the marine industry?

Sailing is a pretty neat sport, although sometimes it strikes me a person needs a certain bent to enjoy it. It is fun to spread the word and foster this all encompassing lifestyle.

How long have you been working in the industry?

I actually owned a sailing store for 11 years starting in 1981. We sold everything from split rings to C&C yachts as well as repairing scratches on up to Awlgripping large yachts. As big box store hours became necessary, we took an opportunity to sell the business. Since then sailing has been just for fun, and still is.

What’s your favourite thing about sailing?

Letting the boat sail to its potential while correctly anticipating what the wind will do next is hard to beat. If you can do this a little better than the guy beside you, that’s nice too.

GET IN TOUCH

REQUEST A QUOTE

NEW SAIL QUOTE

BROWSE ALL SAILS

FIND YOUR SAIL

VIEW SAILS

LATEST NORTH SAILS NEWS

VIEW ALL STORIES

WINGS & WAVES RETURNS WITH A SECOND SERIES

29 September

events

WINGS & WAVES RETURNS WITH A SECOND SERIES

Finite Films & TV, in partnership with North Sails, is set to launch Wings & Waves 2. Following the success of the first series in 2025, the high-energy sports competition returns to the North Sails YouTube channel on October 1 with a new cast of celebrity creators.

INNOVATION MEETS VICTORY AT THE MAXI YACHT ROLEX CUP 2026

North Sails delivered a landmark set of results at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2026, hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the International Maxi Association (IMA) in Sardinia, Italy. READ MORE

NEW LEADERSHIP FOR NORTH SAILS GERMANY

After many loyal and successful years with North Sails, Stefan Matschuk is retiring as the Country Manager for North Sails Germany. In his place, Eckhard Kaller will move into the leadership position for one of the most important sailing markets in Europe. READ MORE