Making Waves. Building the Future.
Celebrating one year of advancing youth sailing across New Jersey
In our first year, New Jersey Youth Sailing Foundation focused on bringing our strategic pillars to life through meaningful programs and partnerships. Throughout 2026, we built on existing strengths and invested in new opportunities to strengthen the community that helps young sailors thrive. Explore our Year 1 highlights here.
Summer on the Water
Summer brought opportunities for young sailors and those who support them to learn and grow.
BBYRA Instructor Prep Day: In June, we partnered with the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association to expose more than 50 sailing instructors to best practices in rigging, instruction, and safe powerboat handling ahead of the summer season.
High School Sailing Pre-Season Clinic: In August, we sponsored a two-day on-water training session for eight high school teams, highlighting boat handling and tactics specific to scholastic sailing.
Regional and National Regatta Support: Our board members contributed their time and expertise by serving on race committees, as regatta leadership, and even featured speakers at USODA, C420, and ISSA regional and national events.
NJ Optimist Triple Crown 2026
The summer’s highlight was the NJ Optimist Triple Crown 2026, celebrating our young Opti sailors across New Jersey. Over two months and three major USODA regattas, including the Optimist U.S. National Championship, sailors demonstrated exceptional skill, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
After eight race days and 26 total sets, Jack Van Orden emerged as the 2026 Triple Crown Champion. Theodore “TJ” Hutler IV earned second place, and Frances Smith was named Top Girl and finished third overall. View the full leaderboard featuring all 93 sailors who earned points over the summer.
Congratulations to every sailor who made this year’s Triple Crown such a memorable celebration of youth sailing!
Upcoming Events
JANUARY 2027: How to Win a Protest
Ever been protested – or wondered whether you should file one?
Join local US Sailing Judges for an interactive session covering protest hearings, common rulings, and, most importantly, how to prepare and present your case with confidence.
Details coming soon.
Set Our Course. Support the Journey.
Strengthen the community that propels New Jersey’s young sailors
A young sailor’s journey is never a solo effort — even in a single-handed boat.
Behind every sailor is a network of coaches, families, clubs, mentors, teammates, and competitors who share knowledge, create opportunities, and celebrate achievement. Strong communities build strong sailors.
New Jersey Youth Sailing Foundation serves as a community hub, connecting the people, resources, and opportunities that help young sailors thrive across our region.
Our first year showed what’s possible when we work together. Now, we’re building on that foundation with a fundraising campaign to propel New Jersey youth sailing forward.
Set Our Course. Support the Journey. Give Today.
With everything accomplished so far, imagine what we can do in 2027.
Your gift helps build a stronger future for youth sailing in New Jersey.
Because every sailor needs more than the wind. They need a community that helps them find their direction and reach their potential.
Thank you for being part of our first year. We look forward to making even greater waves together in the years ahead!