“Exploring our oceans goes hand-in-hand with protecting them.” Sam McClements’ obsession with the sea has taken her from competitive offshore ocean racing to teaching the next generation of sailors. With more than 20,000 miles at sea, she is the co-owner and Principal of Elite Sailing, a premier sail training and adventure company in the Southeast … Read more
“I believe that leading by example is one of the most efficient ways of driving change within our sport.” Noora Westerlund is a Finnish doublehanded offshore sailor and the current Chair of both the Finnish Offshore Racing Association and the Race Management Committee at the Offshore Racing Congress. In these positions, she works to promote more sustainable regatta … Read more
“Years of competing, coaching, and leading teams have deepened my respect for the marine environment, especially as I’ve seen firsthand how much we rely on nature to power our sport.” Alice is based in the UK and is the Environmental Programme Officer at the RYA, where she leads The Green Blue programme. She holds a BSc in Geography … Read more
“Taking care of the water we drink, and the literal home for millions of other creatures, is simply too important to ignore.” Jeff is a native New Englander who grew up sailing a one-design racing dinghy from the 1960’s. They sailed “Tipsy II” in fresh and salt water, once taking her offshore to the islands of … Read more
Rob is a USCG 100 ton Masters-Licensed Captain and US Sailing Instructor. Born and raised in Chicago, he has been sailing the Great Lakes and inland waters since the age of seven. As an avid sailor, he is passionate about environmental protection and loves teaching experiential education and youth development. His past experience includes Wilderness … Read more
“The sea has always drawn me in with its mystery and complexity—an immense, living system where everything is connected. My time on the water has shown me how fragile that balance can be, motivating me to protect it through education and action so others can experience the ocean as I have.” Jackie Ruggieri grew up … Read more
Sarah “Say” Craig is a passionate environmental activist and outrigger canoe racer, using her paddle to raise awareness. From a young age, Say learned that ignoring waste was becoming the norm. When working as a janitor in high school, she often found herself in a dumpster, trying to fit in all the trash because her employer … Read more
“Reduce waste, protect oceans, and inspire action—because our oceans support marine life, human health, and the planet we all share.” Chloe is a high school student who grew up near the ocean. She started sailing Naples sabots at a young age and now competes in the 29er and C420 classes. Outside of sailing, she enjoys … Read more
Bjarne Patuel Nielson has spent more than 40 years on the ocean around the world. As a competitive and recreational sailor, as well as a lifeguard, and now serving in his fifth year as OA Principal Officer at the Royal Danish Yacht Club (KDY), Bjarne has a wide understanding of sailing and the sea. Since … Read more
Catherine has always had a passion for the sea and has been living and working across the world’s oceans for two decades. From the West Coast of Canada where she grew up, to the Caribbean where she works as a Charter and Delivery Skipper and Dive Master, to the high latitudes of Svalbard and the … Read more
