Afrodite Zegers-De Kleine is a Greek-Dutch Olympic sailor who began sailing in Athens, Greece at age nine and has competed in multiple Olympic Games and World Cups. Read on to learn more about how she went from working in financial crime compliance to becoming the Sustainability Manager for the Star Sailors League! Sailors for the … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
Hannah Stodel is a three-time World Champion and four-time Paralympian training to become the first disabled female sailor to take on the Vendée Globe. She’s also our first Sailors for the Sea Ambassador based in the United Kingdom! Get to know Hannah—what inspires her, why she believes we need to protect the ocean, and what … Read more
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
Our oceans are bustling with life from microscopic plankton to mega-sized whales. When deciding the namesake of new underwater species, scientists can draw on many traits – physical appearance, an unusual behavior, or a passing resemblance to something. Check out some of these marine animals that have names related to the boating world. By-the-Wind Sailor … Read more
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
