Nessa Sailing

The NESSA is divided into seven Leagues. The CT League, Mass Bay League and Cape & Island Division are subdivided. There are also Coastal Sailing Alliance and Northern League Divisions. The Board of Directors has the power to create additional Leagues. Visit the NESSA website for more information. If you are looking for a prestigious sailing club, consider joining NESSA. It is well worth the investment!

All US high schools, colleges, universities are eligible to join NESSA. Dual enrollment is available at NESSA for high school students. Each member has one entry to the NESSA Singlehanded Championship. Extra slots may be filled by submitting a resume to the Vice-President. Officers will review the resumes and make the final determination. Multiple resumes will not be considered as a violation of the law.

Fall sailing is a unique time to sail. It is fleet-racing oriented, and sailors may compete against other schools from the Midwest and beyond. The spring season fosters a team atmosphere and is centered around two national championships. Racing during the fall and spring seasons fosters teamwork and a sense community. Teams may also compete against other schools from their area. You might consider joining a club that has racing as a major component.

Teams participating in the NESSA Team Racing Championship (also known as the President’s Trophy and Terkelsen Trophy) may also participate in NESSA Invitational Regattas. To be eligible for these prestigious awards, schools must submit their race schedules at least ten days before the regatta. Only NESSA Member schools may enter these regattas, and each school is entitled to one entry per regatta.

NESSA has been a leader of high school sailing for many years. The sport started in New England in the 1930s when twelve prep schools joined. The NESSA was founded by the first public school. The NESSA rules were the foundation for the procedural rules in sailing today. NESSA’s mission is to promote the sport of sailing in secondary schools in New England, by establishing uniform rules and assisting in scheduling. It is the state’s leading governing body for the sport.