Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Captain Walter Rybka of US Brig NIAGARA

 

 

In front of 400 attendees, Capt. Walter Rybka of the US Brig Niagara, received the American Sail Training Association’s (ASTA)  Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual conference on sail training and education jointly organized by ASTA and Sail Training International held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 14 and 15.

 

Awarded to an individual who has dedicated his or her life’s work to getting people to sea under sail and who has worked to preserve the traditions and skills of sail training, Capt. Walter Rybka was nominated and chosen by his peers to receive this honor. The following was written by CAPT David V.V.Wood, USCG Ret., in recognition of Captain Rybka’s career and contribution to the world of sail training.

And the award goes to…

Every year at the annual conference, the American Sail Training Association presents awards to current ASTA members- both individuals and organizations- recognizing their achievements within the sail training industry.  Below are photos of the winners…

Photo Gallery from the 2008 Conference

It was a three day whirlwind of a conference this year in Halifax and, to ensure that not one moment went undocumented, ASTA photographer Thad Koza was on hand at every event creating digital memories.   The below slideshow is the result of being everywhere and always with his camera in hand. If you would like copies of the photos, note the number of the image in the caption and contact Thad at thadkoza@yahoo.com