Sail Newport
Highlights of our History
Community families from the Newport Public Schools were invited to Sail Newport in Fort Adams State Park for a day of waterfront fun. Activities included try sailing, waterfront sports and activities, and ocean health education. Transportation to and from the event provided from Newport Community School Adult Learning Center and Pell Elementary School.
State officials, the Sail Newport team, and 11th Hour Racing representative 
gathered at the State House to announce the upcoming 2023 Ocean Race. This marks the third North American Stopover in the Ocean State
In 2018, 224 youth sailors from ages 9-15 years old gathered at Sail Newport to compete. Despite inconsistent weather over the weekend, the sailors still managed to impress onlookers with their skill and determination.
Starting in 2017, Sail Newport partnered with the Newport Public School system to offer the Pell Elementary School Science and Sailing Program to all Newport 4th graders. This program allows students to learn about different STEM topics such as weather, geography, marine life, ocean health and more.
Bill Belichick donates boat to Sail Newport.
The new building will house the Sail Newport administration offices, classrooms, the new Dock Office, event space, weather cover for three seasons of sailing, a galley all LEEDS compliant. The building is to be powered by solar panels, constructed with sustainable materials, and will use grey water from a rain water harvesting system.
In 2015, Newport was chosen to host the North America stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race. From May 5-17 competing boats were docked at Fort Adams, where Sail Newport hosted the event. With some tourists traveling from as far as France, local businesses in Newport and Jamestown were also able to benefit from the event.
In 2005, 105 boats gathered to participate in the annual Sail for Hope event. The event managed to raise over $100,000 for Katrina Relief through the American Red Cross.
Early July is when Rhode Island gets in touch with its inner Texas. Between the Newport Regatta and the grass-court Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, both of which are set for the City-by-the-Sea this week, the boats are big, the serves are bigger and, Newport being Newport, outsized wealth parades around town. But that’s far too glib a generalization and overlooks a remarkable bit of civic jujitsu that has taken place over the past two decades–a turnaround that demonstrates just how enamored of the sea ordinary residents of the Ocean State really are.
Alexander Wolff
Prov. Journal, Plans for the Creation of Sail Newport
Dr. Robin Wallace, president of Sail Newport announced final stage of negotiations with the state for a lease on property at Fort Adams State Park for a sailing center, initial plans called for the establishment of a community boat club, to be called the Fort Adams Sailing Association. The state comfirms that under DEM Director Robert L. Bendick, Jr., they were in favor of “a non-exclusive sailing association” at Fort Adams that could “conduct races, provide sailong lessons and other appropriate activities.” Areas included in this first lease inclided the North boat ramp, the Admiral’s Dock and hoists and a portion of the finishing pier. Robin Wallace says in a Newport Daily News Article that his vision for Sail Newport is to be “Yachting’s Chamber of Commerce.” Champion Snipe Class sailor Ed Adams holds a meeting on Wednesday at Emmanuel Church for persons interested in joining the Fort Adams Sailing association
Contact: [email protected]
Editor/Researcher: Ava Trout (2024-2025)