Emily Conklin, Author at Sailors for the Sea

Emily Conklin

Skipper’s Corner: Meet Alice

We are so glad to welcome our first UK-based Skipper, Alice Lucy! Alice is the Environmental Programme Officer at the RYA, where she leads The Green Blue programme. Alice is a competitive Team and Match Racer, and she is now beginning to compete on the international match racing circuit. She is committed to reducing sailing’s environmental impacts, which makes … Read more

Collaboration is Key for Clean Regattas  

“Sailors see the benefit of doing our part to keep our waters and beaches clean. We rely on them heavily for our sport, so it only makes sense to be good stewards of those resources we rely on.” Ben Wells, Formula Wave Clean Class Liaison The Corpus Christi Yacht Club is no stranger to big … Read more

Skipper’s Corner: Meet Jeff

Jeff, in a cap and earmuffs, sailing inside a small wooden vessel, looking off to the right towards the sail.

Our newest Skipper volunteer, based in Chicago, knows we rely on the Great Lakes for much more than just beautiful days of sailing. Jeff Boyle, originally from Massachusetts and now a resident of Chicago, Illinois, prioritizes the health of the waters he enjoys for himself and his family, as well as the many species found … Read more

Safety for Sailors & Sea Life

One of the many joys of sailing is being able to see marine wildlife while on the water and enjoy nature. Our playground is home to a wealth of wildlife and, whether we are racing or cruising, we need to keep their wellbeing in mind. Collisions with marine megafauna such as whales and turtles can cause damage to vessels, endanger sailors’ lives … Read more

Engaging Chicago-area Boaters

Guest post from Skipper Volunteer Jeff Boyle, based in Chicago, IL Here in the Midwest, our sailing season takes a six month pause every year. Ice capped harbors and frosty winds whipping down from the north generously offer boaters on the Great Lakes time for other pursuits while we dream of summer. Just when we’ve given up … Read more

Skipper’s Corner: Meet Rob

Captain Robert Gardner has always been an environmental advocate, from growing up outdoors to leading wilderness expeditions to founding Charisma Sailing, his sailing school in South Florida. Charisma Sailing was founded on their belief in doing their part to preserve our wonderful planet for future generations. Their philosophy is all about helping clients discover the mind-altering beauty and tranquility of sailing and … Read more

Accessibility & Sustainability Go Hand-in-Hand 

We are thrilled to welcome our first new member of our Clean Class Initiative in 2026, the Hansa Class. The Hansa Class champions the idea of “sailing for everyone” and is the first member of our initiative focused on para sailing. With almost 4,000 Hansa sailboats on the water in 35 countries throughout the world, we look forward to collaborating … Read more

Sustainable Strategies Onboard Tall Ships

There are endless amounts of ways to enjoy being on the water. Though a lot of our work focuses on racing and regattas, we are honored to work on sustainability with events and organizations outside of this norm, from paddlers to rowers and any other way folks appreciate the water. One group we have been delighted to lean more … Read more

2025 in Review: Clean Regattas Highlights

From local youth events to international offshore races, 2025 was a banner year for Clean Regattas around the globe. We are proud of our organizers and the wide array of events they represent. Whether your events involve twenty attendees or twenty thousand, there is always a way to incorporate sustainability. Here are some details of several events from 2025 who achieved our Clean Regattas Best Practices in unique and exciting … Read more

Skipper’s Corner: Meet Jackie

Based just across Narragansett Bay from the Sailors for the Sea office, Jackie Ruggieri has always had a strong connection to the ocean. In Jamestown, Rhode Island, Jackie grew up racing Optis and C420s before competing at Milton Academy during high school. She now sails dinghies and keelboats for her college team, as well as racing an … Read more