40th Annual Figawi Race Weekend Earns Gold Clean Regattas Certification
Growing list of regattas supporting ocean conservation and protection as spring and summer regatta season draws record number of regattas committing to Clean Regattas certification
Newport, Rhode Island- June 1, 2011 - Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community, recognizes the 40 Annual Figawi Race Week (May 28-30, 2011) with gold level Clean Regattas certification. With an active 2011 regatta season on the horizon, Sailors for the Sea welcomes the more than 40 regattas in the United States and Caribbean that have taken the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta Pledge for Clean Regattas certification.
Clean Regattas certification provides independent, third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program, or regatta is environmentally responsible, and is doing its utmost to protect the waters upon which people sail.
Figawi - Model Clean Regatta and First Gold Level Certification Recipient The 40th Annual Figawi Race Weekend, nationally and internationally recognized as a top sailing event on the east coast, kicks off the Cape Cod and Nantucket summer season. Entries included sailors from several states, with over 240 boats (including 30 powerboats), and 3,000+ sailors, visitors and locals in attendance.
"Figawi has a history of taking good care of their hosts' beaches and waters, and we are proud to have them officially on board with Clean Regattas this year," said Chris Mancini, program manager, Sailors for the Sea. "Participants and visitors were greeted by the active Green Team and presence of recycling and water refill stations around the parties and docks. We hope this year's commitment to Clean Regattas is the start of a great tradition with Figawi and inspires many more regattas like it to register and take the Clean Regattas pledge."
With three levels of certification available, Figawi race organizers pledged their commitment to the Clean Regattas program and took extraordinary steps to fulfill the gold level requirements for certification. Organizers first formed a Clean Regattas committee for the event that was responsible for overseeing the certification criteria related to:
Specific efforts included:
Figawi participants were asked to support the effort by:
Participants were eligible for a discounted membership to Sailors for the Sea, which includes discounts on Atlantis WeatherGear and ePaint, and a monthly newsletter containing news and resources on sustainable sailing and best practices. Additional details about specific Clean Regattas criteria standards are available online at http://sailorsforthesea.org/programs-and-projects/clean-regattas.aspx.
Clean Regattas Program GrowsSince its inception in 2006, the Clean Regattas program has grown from five to over 65 annual events with many of the well-known regattas throughout the United States pledging their support to protect the health of oceans and local waters and improving their environmental practices. The increased awareness of the dangers to ocean health, consumers' growing interest in protecting natural resources, and the results of Sailors for the Sea's educational efforts undertaken over the past year, the total number of regattas committing to the Clean Regattas program in 2011 is expected to surpass last year's numbers.
By the end of the year, Sailors for the Sea expects to have certified 100 regattas as Clean Regattas. As of May 30, 2011, the list of pledges to 2011 Clean Regatta program currently includes:
Benefits of Clean Regattas - Make the PledgeBy making the Clean Regattas Pledge, regattas, yacht clubs, and sailing programs commit to protecting clean waters and shores by participating in Sailors for the Sea's Clean Regattas program, a third-party certification program that helps participants achieve higher environmental standards. Participants vow to fulfill, and encourage others to fulfill, the goals and requirements of Clean Regattas as set forth by Sailors for the Sea, and to work to protect waters for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations. A Clean Regattas designation by the Sailors for the Sea organization means all competitors agree to abide by Clean Regattas Certification Level requirements. Sailors for the Sea provides support and materials, and the final certification that a club or event is a Clean Regatta.
The Clean Regattas program is available for all interested yacht clubs, regattas and sailing programs, and is found worldwide. By participating in the program, clubs and regattas can realize a range of immediate economic benefits including:
To make a club or an event a Clean Regattas, email chris@sailorsforthesea.org or visit www.sailorsforthesea.org for more information.
About Sailors for the Sea Founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect oceans and local waters. 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.