Who we are

Vineyard Sailing Association

Our mission: To protect the rights of recreational Vineyard sailors and promote the safe and sustainable sharing of Vineyard waters.

The Vineyard Sailing Association is a group of year round island residents who are dedicated to making the future of sailing on Martha’s Vineyard safe and enjoyable for everyone, through understanding and adherence to community guidelines.  

We will work to protect the rights of Recreational Vineyard Sailors, and to educate, promote, and enforce guidelines for safe conduct in and around the waterways of Martha’s Vineyard.

We have worked together with Police, Fire, and Rescue, as well as The Trustees of Reservations, to ensure the safe and respectful use of Vineyard waters.  We look forward to continuing to work for clear paths of communication between regulatory bodies, local officials, recreational sailors, and other maritime groups including shellfishmen.

The Vineyard Sailing Association consists of more than 40 islanders, both professional and recreational level sailors, with more than 15 years of average experience.   We are active members of the island community.  Island members of Vineyard Sailing Association have organized charitable sailing events, raising over $200,000 for MV Community Services, and have been proactive with island beach clean-ups. One of our kitesurfing members is credited with rescuing a swimmer being swept out by currents off Katama Left Fork while the Katama Life Guards struggled to paddle out in time.  In 2011, another of our members received the MA Humane Society’s highest honor, US Sailing’s Van Alan Clark trophy, as well as the Citation of Honor from State Representative, Timothy Madden, for saving the life of another sailor in waters off the coast of Cozumel.

Our members have won national and world championship titles in windsurfing and kitesurfing, and have held world speed sailing records recognized by World Sailing.  Windsurfing has been an Olympic sport since 1980, and kitesurfing has been selected as an Olympic sport for 2024.

The Vineyard Sailing Association is formed to maintain safe, responsible, and respectful sailing in our Vineyard waters.  The combination of barrier beaches, strong winds, and super flat water in remote areas away from obstacles and boat traffic, makes Vineyard waters particularly attractive for kitesurfing and windsurfing.   These waters are enjoyed year round by island residents, and have attracted seasonal residents for kitesurfing/windsurfing such as our former U.S. Secretary of State and Massachusetts Senator.