About Us

Purpose

NEW JERSEY YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION is organized to advance youth sailing across New Jersey. NJYSF supports, coordinates and promotes activities that encourage the joy of sailing among regional youth (up through age 25). Through its programs and policies, NJYSF develops serious competitors and recreational sailors at all levels and supports their sailing in local waters and beyond. NJYSF promotes good sportsmanship among youth sailors and encourages an appreciation for our marine environment.

NJYSF's geographic area includes Little Egg Harbor, Manahawkin Bay, Barnegat Bay, Toms River, Manasquan River, Shark River, Shrewsbury River, Navesink River, Raritan Bay, Lake Hopatcong, the Atlantic Ocean, and other sailing venues across New Jersey.

Mission

NEW JERSEY YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION advances youth sailing across New Jersey through leadership, coordination, community-building, and education. NJYSF’s activities include water- and land-based training, race management, and event organization, sponsorship, and promotion, and are organized around the following pillars:

  • Providing continuing education and development opportunities for regional youth sailors

  • Supporting local and regional coach development

  • Promoting race management “best practices” among local and regional youth regattas

  • Expanding regional and national youth sailing opportunities in New Jersey

  • Bolstering participation among regional girl and teen sailors

  • Promoting regional high school and college sailing

FAQs

  • NEW JERSEY YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION helps young sailors thrive across the state. We bring people together, serve as an information hub, and build community so kids can grow as lifelong sailors and competitors. Whether they’re racing hard or simply enjoying time on the water, we’re here to support their sailing journeys—throughout New Jersey and wherever the wind takes them.

  • NJYSF’s sailing community stretches across New Jersey—from Cape May and Little Egg Harbor through Barnegat Bay and up to Lake Hopatcong. We’re on the Toms River, the Shark River, the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers and even Raritan Bay. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Delaware, New Jersey is full of great places to sail.

  • NJYSF supports, coordinates, and promotes programs that spark a love of sailing for youth under 21, as well as opportunities for young adults ages 21–25. If you’re passionate about being on the water, there’s something for you here.

  • Boats commonly sailed by New Jersey youth include the Optimist, Club 420, ILCA/Laser, ILSA/Sunfish, Flying Junior (FJ), 29er, and Melges 15.

  • We organize our activities around a few key pillars to help youth sailing thrive in New Jersey. Here’s what we’re all about:

    • Helping young sailors grow with ongoing education and training opportunities.

    • Supporting local and regional coaches because great coaching helps everyone shine.

    • Sharing race-management best practices so local and regional youth regattas run smoothly and safely.

    • Creating more chances to sail from regional events to national-level opportunities right here in New Jersey.

    • Encouraging more girls and teens to get out on the water.

    • Boosting high school and college sailing so young sailors have pathways to grow in the sport.

  • Support our mission by becoming an Affiliate, making a donation, hosting youth regattas and other events, and promoting our activities. Contact us to learn more about ways to get involved.

  • NEW JERSEY YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION is a nonprofit corporation in the State of New Jersey and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity. Our Tax ID is 39-3177256.

    Donors can deduct contributions made to us and we are qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers and gifts.

Board Members

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President & Secretary

Tracy Van Dorpe

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Clayton Johnson

Vice President

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Christopher O’Gwen

Treasurer