Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline rides on one of the three sailboats competing in last year’s Mayor’s Cup regatta that began from India Point Park. Twenty Providence middle-school students participated in the regatta, an outgrowth of a partnership between the Providence After School Alliance and the Community Boating Center.
The Providence Journal / Steve Szydlowski

Providence — The Mayor’s Cup will feature 20 Providence middle school students at the helm of three sailing vessels in a half-hour race launching from the Community Boating Center at India Point Park.

The regatta is an outgrowth of a partnership between the Community Boating Center, Providence After School Alliance, and US Sailing, which offered funding through the Kilroy Foundation to award scholarships for participants in CBC’s summer sailing classes. The 20 participants are first-time sailors, who in just over a month, have gone from learning the terminology to taking the helm of the 22-foot boats.

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“The only thing better than spending the summer sailing on the upper bay is getting a chance to do it with the Mayor,” John O’Flaherty, executive director of the boating center, said. “This event has not only helped to show that the Providence waterfront is alive with sailing activity, it is proof-positive that inner-city youth have adopted CBC as their waterfront home.”

O’Flaherty said that Mayor David N. Cicilline plans to race on one of the three vessels — though he’ll be an observer only.

“Sailing is a wonderful way to keep our children engaged in learning during the summer months as they apply many of the things they’ve learned in the classroom, like math and science, out on the water,” Cicilline said. “Activities like this also go a long way towards boosting our students’ confidence and broadening their horizons.”

The three 22-foot Hunter 216 boats will leave from Community Boating Center’s India Point dock and embark on the first leg of their triangular course. Each boat is crewed by eight sailors, including CBC instructors and the mayor.

After they dock, Cicilline will present the winners with the Mayor’s Cup. While this is the first time that Community Boating Center has offered summer programs with the help of US Sailing and the Kilroy Foundation, the Boating Center has worked with PASA to offer spring, summer, and fall programs in the past.

For additional information contact:

John O'Flaherty
Executive Director
Community Boating Center
India Point Park, 109 India St., Providence, RI 02903
info@communityboating.com
tel: 401.454.SAIL (7245)