Gill Marine Clothing signs partnership agreement as official apparel supplier of Sail Newport

A group of Sailing Center staff are gathered at Sail Newport in new Gill gear © Sail Newport

Sail Newport announces that global brand Gill has been named as their official apparel supplier. The Sail Newport staff will wear the Gill branded gear while teaching, coaching, and working on the water and on shore for the programs, regattas and events hosted at the public sailing center.

"Gill is a trusted sailing brand, and they are a perfect fit to provide technical and casual apparel for our staff of over fifty sailing instructors, coaches, and managers. Gill has a rich history, and their product is unmatched in the marine industry for technical performance in all weather conditions," says Brad Read, executive director of Sail Newport.

Gill North America Executive Vice President Dominic McCarthy says, "We are so happy to plant roots in the Newport Sailing community with the introduction of our flagship store on Thames St, but even more pleased to join forces with Sail Newport. They are a pillar of education and accessibility in the sailing world and we are honored to partner with them in their pursuit to encourage more people to get on the water."

Sail Newport is one of the most active sailing centers in the world. Located in Fort Adams State Park on the Newport, RI, waterfront, the nonprofit organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. For four decades, Sail Newport has provided sailing programs, regattas, and events at affordable rates for the public. This includes three-seasons of instructional programs for youth and adults, and sailboat rentals, team training, racing programs, and regattas.

At the core of Sail Newport is their nationally-recognized youth programs starting children at age five through high school on all skill levels. Also, Sail Newport pioneered a unique experiential sailing program for its local public elementary school. The Sail Newport Pell Elementary School Science and Sailing Program integrates learning to sail with STEM topics during the student's school day. In collaboration with the Newport Public School System, the harbor classroom operates in the spring and fall semesters.

Sail Newport also has a busy regatta schedule each season including local, national and world championship regattas. This year Sail Newport has already hosted The Ocean Race, the annual Youth Challenge, the B.E.G. Advanced Race Clinic, and welcomed hundreds of students to their summer sailing programs.

This season, Sail Newport will also host the annual Newport Regatta (July 8-9), The VX One East Coast Championship (July 13-15), the Club 420 North Americans (July 24-27), NBYA Jr. Race Week (Aug. 14-16), the 2023 Moth North American Championship (Sept. 14-17), Sail for Hope (Sept. 30), and the Halloween Howl (Oct. 28-29).

Read points to the shared commitment to sustainability in selecting the Gill brand for its marine wear. "Gill has led the marine industry to truly reduce their impact on the environment. From responsible sourcing to engineering sustainable technology and fabrics, makes Gill a meaningful partner in our effort to protect our ocean in the making of the best marine clothing available."