Daily Inspiration: Meet Jonathan Doyle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Doyle.

Hi Jonathan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m currently the Commodore of Carolina Sailing Club (CSC) which is a Raleigh non-profit organization that is responsible for organizing sailboat racing on Jordan and Kerr Lakes. I started out racing in Annapolis, Maryland, on large sailing boats and raced all over the Chesapeake Bay. Eventually, I joined Lake Lanier Sailing Club just outside of Atlanta after a job change. While in Atlanta, I bought a One-Design sailboat called a Thistle. It’s a very fast boat and can be found all over the United States. I became the local Fleet Captain and eventually helped Lake Lanier Sailing Club by joining their board of directors to help promote the Club and the sport of sailing. About ten years ago, I moved to Raleigh, NC, and started racing with CSC. 

Carolina Sailing Club has been organizing racing on Jordan and Kerr lakes since 1957. We have approximately 100 members in the area and race small sailboats which are usually less than 20 feet in length and have a centerboard. The types of boat we race are towable and are labelled “One- Design” which means the boats are manufactured to a common design. One-Design boats current active in CSC racing are the Flying Scot, Thistle, Laser, WETA, Wayfarer, and Isotopes. If you have a different boat, you can still race with our organization. We have socials, and our members sail all over the United States. Our club also sponsors the annual Govornor’s Cup Regatta, which is an open regatta on Kerr Lake. It’s held every June and has anywhere between 70-120 boats in attendance with a Saturday night fried chicken dinner. 

I also enjoy an active role with the local Carolina Sailing Foundation. The Foundation supports high school sailing programs but is also expanding to include training for younger sailors new to the sport. It’s amazing watching the high schoolers learn to sail and improve with time on the water. The foundation holds one large regatta in the fall, which I have organized for several years. The SAISA North Points #2 regatta is held at Crosswinds Marina on Jordan Lake. The regatta typically hosts 25 teams, coaches, and families from all over the Southeastern US. It’s an exciting regatta, and the teams (A and B team) switch every few races to determine which teams are the fastest. SAISA is the organizer, and we have homemade Chili made by the sailors’ parents. 

If you get a chance to sail with a friend, you should take them up on it. It’s a beautiful sport that can mesmerize just about anyone on a beautiful day. You will see amazing sunsets (and sunrises too!) and meet some of the nicest people while racing or organizing events. One of my three children (Caz Doyle) has gotten heavily involved with sailing and is now sailing for NC State. I couldn’t imagine life without sailing and being around the water with good friends while creating memories. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Other than the normal challenges of life (that happen all too often) the biggest challenge I had was when I was a teen. I was treated for cancer for 9 months. Also, my family’s house burned down. Not many people know that about me. That was a rough time, and I was glad I got through it. It taught me to not to take things too seriously but also to seize opportunities. Now that I’m wiser it seems to me that I would have rather had those challenges then than now. I had more stamina when I was a teen! 

With regards to challenges with sailing, I have had a few but luckily got through them all. I have been in storms, and at one time a sinking boat. The leak was found by a friend and we resolved the issue. The boat was bailed out, but that was the end of the Annapolis to Bermuda race. In all the commotion, the main leech was split, and we couldn’t sail without the main. That was very disappointing, but we were safe. Another thing I have learned in my years is running regattas. Organizing events was not my cup of tea many years ago, but since that time I have learned to run regattas, organize resources, and still have a fun time doing it. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work at a large pharmaceutical company but have worked for many small life sciences firms for close to 25 years. They have their high points and low points. 

How do you define success?
I think when people are younger, the definition of success is more “Me” but as I age the definition of success changes and becomes more “We” oriented. I don’t feel successful unless I’m part of an engaging team with a defined goal. As a parent (and spouse), I like to see my kids making good decisions, having healthy relationships, and networking. From the sailing perspective, I define success a few ways. First…its always fun to win, but I can’t win unless I put a lot of effort into building/training my team. More recently, I was part of a team responsible for building and selling the International Finn Sailboat, which is a highly technical single-handed boat that has been around for years and made in Europe. I had a small part, but I learned how the boat is independently measured, and now I’m certified as a Finn “Official Measurer.” As the Commodore of the sailing club, I feel that success is having smooth transitions as board members change roles, regattas are planned, new members join, and of course…I see smiling faces at the events we sponsor. In summary…I would say that positive engagements in your community translates into happiness and success in life.

Pricing:

• CSC Skipper Level Membership <$200
• Youth memberships are $1

Contact Info:

• Website: carolinasailingclub.org