President Mike Zani on the State of Junior Racing on Narragansett Bay

Author: NBYA President, Mike Zani

Over the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to watch NBYA Junior Race Week and to run the C420 and ILCA line at the Barrington Invitational. I came away encouraged by the state of junior racing on Narragansett Bay.

Our fleets are healthy. Participation in the Club 420, Optimist and Green Fleet Optimist classes is up from recent years, and the quality of the racing was strong. Just as important, the culture on the water was impressive. Sailors were taking penalty turns proactively, racing fairly and regularly thanking the race committee at the end of the day.

The ILCA fleet, primarily sailing the 6-meter Radial, deserves particular attention. The fleet is still relatively small, but it is back to growing and has developed a strong culture of sailors supporting one another. This is a class in which we should collectively invest. It is difficult to find a better platform for developing boat handling, fitness, independence and tactical skill.

The coaches also deserve recognition. They worked well with race committees and organizers, serving as both coaches and important safety and support boats. That cooperation makes the events safer, more efficient and better for the sailors.

More clubs should consider investing in travel programs. Travel is logistically harder, but the benefits are significant. Young sailors get to see excellent racing modeled, experience different conditions and meet sailors from across the bay. Importantly, a sailor’s first travel experience does not need to be an out-of-state event in Florida, Cape Cod, New Jersey or Annapolis. The level of competition on Narragansett Bay is strong enough to provide an excellent first step—and to help families and coaches determine when a sailor is ready to travel farther afield.

Many lifelong sailors will tell you that the friendships formed through junior sailing can last 30, 40 or even 50 years.

Narragansett Bay may not yet have the depth of Western Long Island Sound or Southern California, but this community has produced exceptional sailors, including Brad and Ken Read and Charlie Enright. The talent, coaching, race management and club infrastructure remain very good.

The operational excellence at Sail Newport and Barrington Yacht Club—and, I am sure, with other hosts around the bay—was especially evident. These events were well run, safe and competitive. There is much to be proud of—and a great deal worth continuing to build.

Sincerely, 

Mike Zani

NBYA President