WHO WE ARE
Since 1992, HURTS has helped youth grow through hands-on sailing and backcountry exploration. We carry forward the vision of founder Dr. Philip Ney, combining maritime training challenge with mentorship, teamwork, and real-world skills.
OUR HISTORY
HURTS was inaugurated in 1992 as a non-profit society in the province of British Columbia.
The program was built upon the experience of three previous sail training programs: West Trek (1972) and SALTS (1974) in British Columbia, and Adventure Ship (1976) in Hong Kong.
These programs were all started by the pioneering psychiatrist and sailor Dr. Philip Ney. In 1972, Philip inaugurated the West Trek program for youth, including sea time with the buy-back troller Nipentuck and hiking the West Coast Trail.
Dr. Philip Ney
Robertson II in the 1980s
Then he bought the fishing schooner Robertson II in Lockport NS and skippered her through the Panama Canal. He set up and ran the Sail and Life Training Society, SALTS, then a Young Offenders program on the 178 ft. Western Horizon. He also started Adventure Ship for disabled youth in Hong Kong aboard the ship Huan.
Huan
Dr. Philip Ney on Huan
In the early 2000's HURTS bought the Horizons Unbound, a 85 ft ferro-cement schooner. With great intentionality the ship was rigged as a three-masted, bi-polar, schooner rig. The unique design made it an easily recognizable ship along the coast, and the smaller sail size helped youth get hands-on experience of sail setting and trimming in small teams. For over 15 years the Horizons Unbound would run summer trips for at-risk youth, families, and high-school classes. The program was especially successful in training young people with the basics of seamanship, survival, and navigation. The trips included weeklong voyages around Desolation Sound, and all around Vancouver Island.
Sadly, faced with an aging vessel and difficulties with insurance and moorage, the faithful Horizons Unbound was eventually scrapped in the fall of 2024. With a desire to expand and follow in the footsteps of these ambitious programs, HURTS continues to offer sail training for youth and their parents.
Horizons Unbound
Expand the horizons of all young people and facilitate personal and social growth through sail training and wilderness adventures.
Rehabilitation and growth for all youth who struggle with addictions, mental health conflicts, and the breakdown of families.
HURTS aims to provide training and adventures that facilitate young people grow in physical, social, emotional, and spiritual health while helping them gain confidence by training them with marketable skills.
Through our partnerships, we aim to help young people resolve personal and inter-personal conflicts. We support young people in overcoming addictions. We promote pro-social and pro-family dynamics.
In partnership with Mount Joy College, HURTS' purposes include providing education on the effects of child abuse, neglect, and family breakdowns. HURTS believes in partnering with existing agencies, and with families to promote healthy family dynamics through times spent together on outdoor adventures and sail training. We prioritize parent education, young people's self-esteem building and wise choice encouragement.
For a full list of HURTS' Purposes from our Constitution,
please feel free to get in touch!