The energy heading into the 2026 season is unmistakably positive — and there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make this summer smoother, safer, and more connected for everyone.
The full NBYA Junior Calendar is set, and we’re thrilled to announce that the Barrington Invitational is officially joining the season lineup. This free multi-class event will be available for registration within the NBYA ClubSpot page.
Junior Sailing Chair Nick Ewenson and Junior Sailing Administrator Paige Chafee have been working closely with John Mooney from US Sailing to update the NORs and SIs for the season. To make the process smoother for hosts, they created a Google Form for hosts that gathers all the information needed to customize each event’s documents.
This year, there’s a renewed emphasis on safety and communication. A dedicated meeting with hosts will take place in May to walk through updated documents, share best practices, and make sure everyone feels supported. The Host Guide has also been refreshed for 2026.
Keeping in line with the best practices supported by USODA, the Green Fleet at NBYA regattas will remain developmental in nature and not emphasize cumulative scores. There was, however, enthusiastic discussion about creating a menu of awards that celebrate the values we want young sailors to carry with them — not just their race results. Ideas included:
It’s all about reinforcing the culture we want to build from day one.
The group is also brainstorming ways to elevate the onshore experience at Junior Race Week at Sail Newport this year. NBYA is excited to host this event with Sail Newport and to leverage their amazing campus and staff to deliver an unforgettable summer experience.