Clean Regattas is the world's leading sustainability certification for on-water, near-water, and water-loving-events.
Clean Regattas provides a framework of 20 best practices for sustainability, offering guidance across five sustainability themes: elimination of single-use items, community involvement, responsible waste management, environmental stewardship, and climate awareness. Event organizers in the Chesapeake region have found creative solutions to reduce their environmental impact and engage their community in sustainability work.
Sailors see firsthand the beauty of our oceans and waterways, experiencing the majesty of Mother Nature while racing or cruising. With such an incredible playground comes an equally incredible responsibility to protect it. Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana works with sailors, boaters, and ocean lovers of all kinds to preserve our playground for generations to come. One way to get involved in our efforts is through Clean Regattas, the world’s leading sustainability certification for all on-the-water, near-the-water, and water-loving events. With more than 5500 events hosted since 2006, this program has reached 4.5 million sailors and attendees in 53 countries and 44 US states, including across the Chesapeake Bay.
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC)
EYC is one of our most successful and consistent participants, hosting more than 60 Clean Regattas since their inaugural event in 2014. Every event is run as a Clean Regatta, underpinned by eco-friendly practices embedded into the daily operations of the club:
- EYC has a standing environmental committee, engaging members on sustainability goals and how to achieve them. Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility!
- Working with local partners, the club docks have been established as an “oyster nursery,” where oysters are grown in cages. Once large enough, the oysters are relocated to a reef. Not only does this effort support the Chesapeake oyster population, but it also helps improve the water quality by the club.
- Water quality in the Bay is further supported by the club’s use of permeable pavement in its parking lot and rain barrels alongside the buildings, reducing runoff from the property.
Severn Sailing Association (SSA)
SSA is home to a Thistle fleet, the class that pioneered our Clean Class initiative. The Thistle Class runs all of its events as Clean Regattas and has integrated sustainability across operations, making it a core principle of their time on and off the water. SSA is a leader in this work, earning our highest-level certification for multiple events over the years.
- Members have sourced reusable dinnerware, including mugs, silverware, and plates from secondhand stores. These common supplies are used for post-race dinners or event meals, avoiding single-use plastic and the need to purchase new materials for every event.
- Food is often the center of any event—especially if you’ve spent a long day on the water! SSA sources most of its food from local farms and markets, reducing the miles and emissions associated with meals. Organizers also demonstrate to attendees that fully vegetarian meals are both achievable and delicious. Swapping out even one meat entree for a vegetarian option reduces the carbon footprint of the event.
- Thistlers at SSA have also started to spread the word about Clean Regattas, sharing their goals and lessons learned with other fleets to broaden the impact of their sustainability work.
Annapolis Boat Shows
Not all Clean Regattas are regattas! The Annapolis Sailboat and Powerboat Shows in October, as well as the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show and Bay Bridge Boat Show in April, have been Clean Regattas for years, highlighting their sustainability efforts to attendees and demonstrating that any by-the-water event can lessen its impact on the environment.
- Water refill stations are available throughout the shows, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles to reduce single-use plastic.
- The boat shows prioritize reusables in other ways, as well, reducing the amount of paper materials they provide to attendees and giving out reusable bags at the gates. We also worked with the show team to develop guidance for vendors on how to reduce their single-use plastics.
- Due to the shows’ proximity to Spa Creek and the greater Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis Boat Shows has the opportunity to highlight the natural wonders that drive us to sustainability work in the first place. In their communications, the Boat Show team shares about menhaden in the waters by the show and the coastal habitat these species rely on.
From annual races to big boat shows, sustainability has a place in all events. The Clean Regattas program is a resource for any event that relies on the ocean—which, ultimately, is every event.
by Emily Conklin
For more information, visit sailorsforthesea.org.
