Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS), a leading charitable organization that develops leadership and academic success for underserved New York City youth through sailing education, will for the third consecutive year host the New York Architects’ Regatta Challenge on September 13-14 in Manhattan. With approximately 35 boats racing over two days, the event is considered the largest J/24 regatta on the Hudson River. Held each September, the regatta enables New York-based architecture and design practitioners to support the efforts of charitable enterprises focused on providing waterfront access and educational experiences to a wider audience of various socioeconomic backgrounds. Proceeds from the event will support HRCS’s Youth Development programs, including Sail Academy, a four-year program that uses sailing and boat-building to teach math, science and leadership to high school students. Concepts are taught on land and water using small-group, experiential learning. HRCS currently partners with nine New York City high schools to offer academic credit in math and science to students. The academic curriculum is designed with New York City Department of Education teachers to support state standards. The organization has improved the lives of hundreds of students since its founding in 2007. The HRCS Youth Development programs also include internships, where students learn every aspect of running a commercial sailing school, preparing them with important job skills and career awareness. “We are excited to host the New York Architects’ Regatta Challenge again this year,” said Maeve Gately, development director at HRCS. “We are grateful for the event’s contributions to our growing organization, as they will truly make a difference in the lives of the underserved New York students we support.”
The following events will take place as part of the 2017 New York Architects’ Regatta Challenge:
Wednesday, September 13—Industry Partners Regatta and Skippers Meeting—In the afternoon, regatta sponsors are invited to join the action and field a boat for racing. That evening, the Skippers’ Meeting and cocktail party will take place at the New York Yacht Club’s world famous model room for sponsors and team members only. The event presents a unique opportunity for sponsors and firm principals to meet and mingle before the excitement of race day.
Thursday, September 14—Regatta Challenge and Post-Race Party—The 2017 New York Architects’ Regatta Challenge will take place at Pier 66 on the Hudson River (north of Chelsea Piers) at 2:30pm. Spectators can view the race from the shores of the Hudson River. At the conclusion of the regatta, sponsors, guests, and race participants are invited to a post-race party and award ceremony at the Pier 66 Maritime Bar & Grill.
“Now in its seventeenth year, the New York Architects’ Regatta Challenge has entered an exciting phase that none of us could have envisioned,” said Gerry Dolezar, founder of the event. “We have proudly raised more than $100,000 over the past few years for nonprofit organizations like HRCS who are dedicated to protecting our waters and teaching our youth how to experience them. I’m so proud of all the board members, architects, vendors, and friends who have helped us get to this point. It’s exciting to think of what we can accomplish together.” To learn more about this event, please contact info@hudsonsailing.org or nyarchitectsregatta@gmail.com or visit http://architectsregatta.org/.