Clagett Sailing

Clagett Sailing, a multi-dimensional program for sailors living with disabilities and mobility issues, for 20 years has hosted sailors from across the world in enjoying friendly competition and camaraderie in the sport of sailing. 

Clagett Sailing's mission is to provide sailors with disabilities the oppportunity to improve their skills and reach personal goals through world-class coaching and compitition.

 '“We are so excited to let you know that Clagett Sailing, formerly known as The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, has grown from a small five boat regatta in 2003 to a multi-dimensional program which is still fulfilling our original mission. Clagett Sailing is celebrating our third decade and is proud to continue to provide opportunities for sailors with disabilities elevating their racing skills as they reach towards their individual goals.” 

- Judy McLennan, President, Clagett Sailing 

Clagett Sailing presents premier non-profit adaptive sailing clinic and regattas, including a fleet racing clinic and regatta in Newport, Rhode Island and a match racing clinic and regatta in Oyster Bay, New York. 

Clagett Sailing's programs also include: The Clagett Boat Grant Program, Team Clagett, and our scholarships.

Our Impact

Clagett Regatta Participants

275

Participants

Clagett Regatta Volunteers

235

Volunteers

Clagett Regatta Scholarships

$56,415

in scholarships

Clagett Regatta Years

21

Years

Upcoming Regattas

Clagett 2.4mRs sailing by Rose Island in Newport, Rhode Island

Clagett Newport

The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta (Clagett Newport) takes place in Newport, Rhode Island each year and is dedicated to the memory of Tom Clagett. Tom was a strong, tough, driven person who was dedicated to the values of Corinthian sailing and sportsmanship. This adaptive sailing regatta seeks to emulate his spirit for healthy competition.

Clagett sailors match racing in Oyster Bay, New York at The Clagett/Oakcliff Match Racing Clinic and Regatta

Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race

Five leading sailing organizations in the Northeast have combined efforts to offer the first ever match racing regatta in the area for adaptive sailors. After four years of success the Clagett/Oakcliff regatta has become an annual event. Now in its third year, the Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race is not to be missed! 

Get Involved

Clagett Regatta Donate

Donate

If you care to make a tax deductible, charitable donation to Clagett Sailing to help these amazing athletes, please click on the "Donate" button below.

Clagett Regatta Volunteer

Volunteer

Clagett Sailing needs volunteers for the fleet and match racing clinic and regatta, both on land and on the water. Sign up today!

Lend Clagett Regatta Your Boat

Lend your Boat

During Clagett Newport we can alway use extra support, spectator and race committee boats. You can loan or volunteer with your boat for Clagett Newport.

2023 Sponsors and Supporters

Sponsor support of Clagett Sailing helps provide recreational and competitive sailing opportunities for persons with adaptive needs. Sponsorship allows Clagett Sailing to develop a program that will enable sailors with disabilities to reach their personal levels of achievement.

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Testimonials

Connect with Us

To show your support to get sailing back into the Paralympics please post on your social media with #SailtoLA, #BacktheBid, #Clagett, #WorldSailing and #USSailing. By using these hashtags when you post you are helping create awareness to get Paralympic Sailing re-entered into the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

Clagett Sailing on Facebook

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Programs & Projects

A sailor and a volunteer work to roll 2.4mR sails on the dock at The Clagett Regatta in Newport

Boat Grant Program & Application

Clagett Sailing has established a Boat Grant Program for adaptive sailing. The goal of Clagett's Boat Grant Program is to provide selected sailors and sailing programs the opportunity to experience, train, and race in adaptive sailing events and disabled sailing regattas by granting the recipient a competitive boat with insurance coverage for the selected sailor or sailing program.

The Grant provides for the use of the boat and equipment for up to 4 years.

Clagett sailors sailing 2.4mRs

Team Clagett

Team Clagett is an exciting new program, established in 2020, as a means of providing selected sailors the opportunity to experience training and racing at elite sailing events.

Team Clagett builds upon Clagett’s Boat Grant Program, by providing places for up to four sailors who compete in the 2.4mR class at Clagett Newport with funds to attend and compete at World Championship level events.

The Story of Clagett sailing

ABOUT CLAGETT SAILING

Clagett Sailing is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity located Rhode Island. Founded by Judy and Stephanie McLennan in 2003 Clagett Sailing, formerly the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, honors the late Tom Clagett (1916-2001). 

Tom was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran who learned to sail on Chesapeake Bay. As a young man Tom Clagett experienced temporary paralysis as the result of meningitis; an experience that left him with a deep respect for the accomplishments of people with disabilities, and all sailors with adaptive needs.

Clagett Sailing's mission is to "provide sailors with disabilities the opportunity to improve their skills and reach personal goals through world-class coaching and competition." 

Clagett Sailing was inspired by a conversation the co-founders had with their friend Robie Pierce (pictured below). 

Competitors often comment that Clagett Sailing has improved their quality of life as they apply what is achieved on the water to everyday situations. Through sailing the "playing field," so to speak, is leveled.

THE FIRST EVENT: FLEET RACING REGATTA NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

Clagett Sailing has hosted the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorialc Clinic and Reagtta (Clagett Newport) in Newport, Rhode Island for the past twenty years. Clagett Newport is the original Clagett sailing program. Each year sailors with disabilities, adaptive sailors, and able bodied sailors sign up to participate in this regatta on Narragansett Bay.

The boats sailed were originally based on the Paralympic class boats, which were then adapted to fit the needs of each individual  using handicap boat accessories. After the recent decision not to include sailing in the forthcoming Paralympics the Clagett Sailing boat classes have changed.

In the past the boat classes at the Clagett Newport have included Sonars, 2.4mRs, SKUD-18s, RS Venture Connect, and Martin 16s. At the regatta Hoyer Lifts, or handicap boat lifts, which provide handicap boat access and boat access for wheelchair users. All of the participants, volunteers and Race Committee strive to deliver the best experience possible for Clagett Sailing's sailors.

THE SECOND EVENT: MATCH RACING REGATTA OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

After over ten years of success in the original C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta (Clagett Newport) for sailors with disabilities, Clagett Sailing partnered with Oakcliff Sailing Center in Oyster Bay, New York to bring match racing to disabled sailing and adaptive sailing.

The Clagett Oakcliff Match Race is the first regatta of its kind, sailed in Sonars on the Long Island Sound in New York. Each year teams compete, with a high success rate and excellent coaches.

Robie Pierce at the first Clagett Regatta in 2003
A coach boat, Sonars and the Race Committee boat on the water at the first Clagett Regatta in 2003

Our Partners

Sail Newport
World Sailing
US Sailing
Ida Lewis Yacht Club
Barrington Yacht Club