This spring, the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club has once again been a hub of youthful energy and competitive spirit. Twelve high school students from Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Trevett, Edgecomb, Bristol, Alna, and Damariscotta participate weekly in the Boothbay Region High School sailing team, part of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club’s Junior Programs, all of which are open to the public. These dedicated student-athletes gather every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 3 to 6:15 p.m., for rigorous practice sessions, honing their skills on the waters of Boothbay Harbor under the guidance of experienced coaches Toby Clarkson, Bobby Clarkson and Robert Jarrett from the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club. 

The team features sailors from a variety of local schools, mostly BRHS and LA who sail together at practice. The sailors then compete in two different leagues, the locally based Pen Bay League, which allows conglomerate teams, and the New England Schools Sailing Association (NESSA) which requires all sailors on a team be a part of the same high school. Typically, both BRHS and LA will be represented within NESSA, but based on numbers this spring has just seen LA in NESSA competition.  

The LA team has recently graduated many talented sailors, and has been working hard all spring to add depth back to their team. After a lackluster start to the spring that work paid off and LA won the O’Day Qualifier in Portland. Their performance earned them a coveted berth in the New England co-ed championship for the O’Day Trophy, May 24–25 at Connecticut College. That regatta also serves as the qualifier for the Mallory Trophy, the national co-ed high school championship. We’re wishing good luck to these young sailors. 

A tradition of excellence in Boothbay Harbor 

The Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club has long supported youth sailing in the region, providing boats, equipment, coaching, and facilities that allow local high schoolers to compete at the highest levels. The Club’s commitment to youth development has made it a cornerstone of the sailing community in Midcoast Maine. 

This year’s team is composed of students from a wide swath of local towns, making the program a true regional effort. Their teamwork, resilience, and dedication on and off the water are a testament to what can be achieved with local support and shared purpose.