About
For more than 80 years, the Narragansett Bay Yachting Association has existed to make sailing better on the Bay. As the Regional Sailing Association for US Sailing, NBYA provides the leadership, standards, and coordination that allow sailors, clubs, and competitions to perform at their best—across generations, boat types, and skill levels.
Mission - Better Sailing on the Bay
The Narragansett Bay Yachting Association (NBYA) serves as the Regional Sailing Association (RSA) for US Sailing in Narragansett Bay and surrounding waters. We provide leadership, structure, and coordination for sailing and sailboat racing, while strengthening communication among sailors, yacht clubs, and US Sailing.
NBYA acts as a central source of information and guidance, ensuring national standards, rule updates, and best practices reach the local sailing community. We support both junior and adult sailing through sound governance, fiscal responsibility, and administrative excellence, while encouraging participation across generations. As part of our RSA responsibilities, we provide appeals committees when required and serve as a trusted resource for organizing and managing racing events throughout the region.
Leadership Philosophy
NBYA is led with the belief that great performance doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when capable people are aligned around clear roles, shared standards, and a common purpose. Our volunteer leaders serve the Bay by strengthening the system that supports fair racing, sailor development, and a connected sailing community.
NBYA Leadership
Officers (officers@NBYA.org)
- President: Mike Zani
- Vice President: Jack Rienzo
- Secretary: Cheryl Rienzo
- Treasurer: David Schwartz
Executive Committee (executive.committee@NBYA.org)
- Cruising & PHRF Racing: Robyn Earley
- Junior Sailing: Nick Ewenson
- Junior Program Administration: Skylar Batz
- Women’s Sailing: Barbara Petrocelli
- Communications: Buster Pike
- US Sailing Liaison & Race Document Management: Matt Hill
- Appeals: John Mooney
- At-Large Member: Mark Rotsky
Board@NBYA.org (Officers & Executive Committee)
Program Areas
Junior Events
- NBYA sponsors and administers the NBYA Junior Championship.
- Junior Regattas – 9 regattas facilitated and supported by NBYA for junior sailors in Optimists, Laser Radials/Bytes and Club 420’s
- Junior Race Week
Clinics and Seminars for member clubs
- NBYA sponsors seminars on the new Racing Rules of Sailing. Nationally known US Sailing judges present a comprehensive update on the latest rules changes
- NBYA sponsors a clinic at the Junior Women’s Championships, and a Coaches clinic annually.
Sailing Community Outreach & Member / Club Support
- NBYA integrated web calendar that all clubs may use to post their events including Regattas, Training and Social Events
- NBYA has online registration. Members may join or renew their membership and sign up for NBYA sponsored regattas.
- NBYA offers member clubs the ability to use online registration /payment for their regattas and associated events (e.g. Regatta party tickets and merchandise
- NBYA Appeals Committee hears all protest appeals for all member clubs
- NBYA provides the network for member clubs to find Race Committee Officers and Judges for their events
- NBYA offers US Sailing dues discount through the MVP Program – available online
- NBYA provides travel grants to the National Conference and Leadership Forum.
- NBYA provides scholarships and financial support to members representing NBYA member clubs in US Sailing organized ladder competitions.
Organizing & Promoting Regattas
- NBYA sponsors multiple PHRF regattas including a two day event complete with an evening social.
- NBYA sponsors Swanson Cup / Narragansett Bay Challenge Cup races in September that pit 3 boat teams from member yacht clubs to determine bay champions in both spinnaker and cruising classes.
- NBYA is Organizing authority for GMT Boat of the Year series – recognizes the best sailboat that regularly competes in Narragansett Bay regattas