Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS), a leading nonprofit youth development and community sailing organization, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the United States SailGP Team.
HRCS provides innovative youth development and maritime access programs, including Sail Academy, a multi-year program that uses sailing and boat-building to teach math, science, and leadership to middle and high school students, and Adaptive Sailing, a program that HRCS launched in 2021 that provides waterfront access, sailing education, and community building to New Yorkers living with disabilities.
The U.S. SailGP Team is one of 10 national teams competing in the fourth season of SailGP’s global racing league known as the most exciting racing on water. New York-based Mike Buckley, U.S. SailGP Team CEO, has long been a passionate supporter of HRCS and looks forward to working with the next generation of athletes to introduce them to the world of high performance racing.
“With the upcoming Sail Grand Prix coming to New York June 22-23, it presents the perfect opportunity to introduce HRCS students to the top of our sport,” said Buckley. “I believe our partnership will go far beyond the June event, however. I know how sailing has changed my life and the opportunities it has provided me. I look forward to unlocking some of those opportunities in partnership with HRCS – from working with the students to provide coaching, internships and supporting them as they explore the sport.”
Building on this foundation, the partnership between HRCS and the U.S. SailGP Team is designed to create a strong community impact, emphasizing the importance of giving back. The partnership will offer several activities and programs for students and the community. For example:
The U.S. SailGP Team will offer a sixth sailor experience in HRCS’s annual Dark ‘n’ Stormy Benefit auction May 13, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sail with the world’s best athletes onboard the U.S. F50, a supercharged foiling boat that hits 60 mph speeds;
HRCS students will be offered hands-on internship opportunities during the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, taking place June 22-23;
The organizations will offer diversity, equity and inclusion workshops with the U.S. SailGP Team’s Race For The Future Partner RISE and SailGP Inspire;
and HRCS students will be invited on a behind-the-scenes team base tour and meet and greet with the U.S. SailGP Team.
By bringing together the U.S. SailGP Team’s global platform and HRCS’s local influence, the partnership aims to showcase the power of sailing as a tool for youth development, community engagement, and educational excellence. This visibility will celebrate the partnership’s successes and inspire further support and involvement from the community, potential sponsors, and other organizations.
“This is a great opportunity for HRCS, and aligns well with our values and interests,” said HRCS Executive Director Robert Burke. ”Mike and the entire team understand the power of sailing to help young people develop passion, curiosity, and leadership. SailGP’s model brings in science and technology in fun and unique ways. And we share a genuine commitment to making sailing more accessible and inclusive, and we look forward to working with the U.S. SailGP Team to do just that.”
Together, HRCS and the U.S. SailGP Team are racing towards a future where every child is given growth opportunities and is supported by the values of teamwork and resilience. Through this partnership, the organizations are committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of New York City’s youth.
