Happy 40th Anniversary MSA!

A little history...

On March 31, 1970 a group of Manchester residents got together to discuss organizing a children's instructional sailing program in town. The goal behind the meeting was to offer a community sailing program that would foster an interest in recreational sailing and one design racing. By May of 1971 Manchester Sailing Association was incorporated as a nonprofit association and began offering its first classes to children in the community.

Over the years MSA has hosted many regattas that draw sailors from near and far. In 1995, MSA hosted the Mass Bay Regatta. It was this annual regatta that inspired US Sailing to start its very well attended Junior Olympics Regatta. In 2004 MSA hosted the Mass Bay Junior Olympics Regatta where over 300 sailors participated in the 3 day event. It was deemed a huge success! We began offering an annual early season Green Fleet only Regatta to help the new North Shore racers get ready for the racing season in 2007.

In 2009, MSA was the recipient of the "Outstanding Seasonal Program" award from the US Sailing Community Sailing Council.

The program has grown tremendously over the years from just a few boats (Flying Terns) to a fleet of over 45 boats that includes Dyer Dhows, Optimists, 420s, Rhodes 19s and motorized instructor boats. By 2010, MSA served over 250 students each summer, employed 7 coaches and Senior Instructors and 10 Junior Instructors.

There is a boat for every sailor - young or old, novice or competitive!