On June 17, 2026, more than 50 sailing instructors from clubs across the upper Barnegat Bay gathered at Toms River Yacht Club for the BBYRA Instructor Prep Day. Organized by New Jersey Youth Sailing Foundation in partnership with Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association, the half-day training was designed to prepare summer instructors for a safe and successful sailing season.

The program featured breakout sessions on rigging fundamentals, sailor engagement, and on-the-water safety, while also providing opportunities for instructors and junior coordinators to connect and share ideas with peers from across the bay.

The sessions were led by three experienced coaches and educators:

• Jeff Bonanniof 73 Sailing, recently named US Sailing’s 2026 Developmental Coach of the Year, presented on safe powerboat handling.

• Clay Johnson, owner of Colie Sails and an accomplished competitor and coach, led a review of rigging and tuning techniques for common youth boats with a focus on performance and safety.

• Jamie Wasco Wright, a high school educator and former head instructor at Metedeconk River Yacht Club, shared insights on youth development and effective instructional practices.

Programs such as Instructor Prep Day help develop sailing instructors, coaches, and leaders throughout the region. By investing in coach training and professional development, we strengthen the quality of sailing instruction for young sailors across New Jersey.

We gratefully acknowledge Toms River Yacht Club for hosting the event at the Seibert Sailing Center and the session leaders for generously contributing their time and expertise. Their support and contributions were instrumental to the program’s success.