Sailors for the Sea and Big Team Regatta DC 2008 Partner to Make Event an Eco-friendly Clean Regatta - Sailors for the Sea

Sailors for the Sea and Big Team Regatta DC 2008 Partner to Make Event an Eco-friendly Clean Regatta

Press Release

Corporate Sailing Challenge for Teams to Compete and Raise Money for D.C. Youth

 

Annapolis, MD – September 29, 2008– Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation group focused on the sailing and boating community, is working with the organizers of Big Team Regatta to support the group’s commitment to making this year’s regatta – Big Team Regatta DC – a ‘clean regatta.’

Big Team Regatta is an afternoon sailboat regatta that pits area organizations against each other in pursuit of glory, bragging rights and the opportunity to help a great non-profit – the National Maritime Heritage Foundation’s Kids Set Sail program. Each 4-person team will sail an identical performance sailboat – J80 – provided by JPort Sailing Club and staffed with a professional sailing coach. Each organization will also benefit from a morning session of team building and race training in advance of the regatta. Since 2003, Group Experiential Learning, J World Annapolis, the National Maritime Heritage Foundation and a host of volunteers and local sponsors have been raising money for youth sailing programs in the Washington, D.C. area. With $22,000 raised in 2003, $45,000 in 2004, and $97,000 in 2005, the BIG Team Regattas have been helping underserved kids learn life skills and have fun out on the water.

In its third year, the Clean Regatta program is an effort by Sailors for the Sea, in conjunction with yacht clubs and marinas, to reduce the human impact on oceans and coastal waters. With oceans in an apparent constant decline, states and nations continue to pass regulations and laws that limit what can be done to and in the water. As a voluntary program, Clean Regattas help participating yacht clubs and marinas stay ahead of the regulatory curve and prepare to face future laws.

WHAT: Big Team Regatta – a corporate sailing challenge and regatta party that benefits the National Maritime Heritage Foundation Kids Set Sail Program

WHY: To raise money for the National Maritime Heritage Foundation’s Kids Set Sail program, which teaches intercity youth lifelong skills, while providing them access to the rivers of Washington, D.C. and teaching them to sail. The organization serves hundreds of kids from numerous Youth organizations such as:

  • DC Park and Recreations
  • YMCA
  • Washington Jesuit Academy

WHEN: Friday, October 3, 2008 WHERE: The waters of Chesapeake Bay
Start and Finish at Port Annapolis Sailing Center in Annapolis, MD

 
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How: Ways you can get involved and help out:
  • Enter a team to race in the regatta (minimum entry donation is $4,000)
  • Donate directly to Kids Set Sail
  • Become a corporate sponsor
  • Volunteer and help out

Corporate teams get: a racing boat adorned with their logo, a professional coach, a team building/race training session, breakfast, lunch, eight tickets to the party, a great- looking regatta shirt for all team members, a keepsake video, and the undying gratitude of area children.

More About Clean Regattas:
Benefits of Certification: Clubs and marinas can make an immediate difference to local waters as a certified clean regatta generates less material waste, reduces the amount of debris in the water and on shore, and the amount of non-point source pollution washed into the sea, and helps protect the important ecosystems and habitats for marine mammals, fish and birds. Direct economic benefits to clubs and regattas include:

  • Saving money by reducing reliance on plastic bottles, fossil fuels, and disposable products
  • Anticipating regulations to reduce excess spending due to abrupt and costly changes due to new
  • laws and related cleanup efforts
  • Positive awareness of the Clean Regatta effort that can bring more and new regatta sponsors,
  • ​and interest of donors, investors, and foundations for non-profit clubs

Clean Regatta Certification Standards: Clean Regattas is a third-party certification program that helps regattas, yacht clubs and sailing programs voluntarily achieve higher environmental standards. Participants have the option of choosing a Bronze, Silver or Gold level of engagement, and work to fulfill each of the requirements necessary to be certified at that level. For a complete list of the certification criteria visit http://www.sailorsforthesea.org/clean/index.html

A Clean Regatta designated by the Sailors for the Sea organization means all competitors agree to abide by Clean Regatta Certification Level requirements. Boats observed discharging trash into the water will either be disqualified from all races the day the infraction was observed or otherwise penalized. Sailors for the Sea provides support and materials, and the final certification that a club or event is a Clean Regatta.

About Sailors for the Sea
Founded in 2004 and based in Boston, Mass., Sailors for the Sea is an action-oriented, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, programs and resources to motivate and empower sailors and other boaters to preserve, protect, and enjoy the harbors, bays and oceans upon which they sail. For more information on or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to become a member and support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org. 

 

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Media Contact

Jennifer Brett
Communications Manager, Sailors for the Sea
jbrett@oceana.org
Sailors for the Sea
449 Thames Street, 300D
Newport, RI 02840

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