Sailors committed to sustainability
In May Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana launched its Clean Class initiative, which recognizes entire classes of boats whose members are committed to sustainability. The initiative encourages one-design fleets to implement Clean Regattas best practices into class-wide operations and events, expanding the positive impact sailors can have on our oceans and waterways.
The Clean Class initiative is open to any interested one-design fleets, regardless of membership size or number of events. All that is required is a desire to lessen the class’s environmental impact. Clean Classes rely on the Clean Regattas framework, which encourages events to eliminate single-use items, protect sensitive habitats, and work with local organizations. For Clean Class recognition, 25 percent of a class’s events need to achieve at least a Bronze-level Clean Regatta certification.
The Thistle Class, which has more than 50 active fleets across the United States, worked with Sailors for the Sea to develop and pilot the Clean Class initiative. The class’s dedicated leadership and volunteers worked to determine the steps necessary to scale up the sustainability success of individual regattas. During the first full year of the pilot in 2021, the Thistle Class registered 21 new Clean Regattas, a 420-percent increase in Thistle events participating in the program. In 2022, six additional events registered, with many of the recurring regattas achieving higher levels of sustainability certification.
“The Thistle Class has been a longtime advocate of sustainability. We wanted to take it to the next level by having sound common practices, and a process to share ideas and set class goals,” says Mike Ingham, Thistle Class champion and Sailors for the Sea Skipper. “Our goal is to reduce the environmental impact at as many Thistle events as possible. Because of this initiative, we see a deepening "clean" culture throughout the class, top down, from class leaders through event organizers, clubs, and sailors.”
Emily Conklin, program manager for Sailors for the Sea, says, “Working directly with one-design classes creates consistent expectations for all participants and provides resources for organizers and class leadership when addressing sustainability challenges.”
To learn how you and your sailing class may participate, visit sailorsforthesea.org/programs/clean-regattas/clean-class.
