About HRCS

Our Mission: Hudson River Community Sailing develops leadership and academic success in underserved New York City youth through sailing education and provides maritime education and recreation to the community at large.

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Watch our 10th Anniversary video!

About Us

HRCS is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 with locations in Chelsea (Pier 66) and Inwood (Dyckman Marina). We develop leadership and academic success in New York City youth through partnerships with public schools, and our diverse and vibrant community sailing center provides maritime education and recreation to the city at large. 

The sport of sailing has not traditionally been inclusive, and we are dedicated to changing that. Across all of our programs, we are committed to building a welcoming community where everyone learns and grows together.

Accolades and Organizational Relationships

In its first decade, HRCS has provided waterfront access to over 20,000 youth, adults, and families. We expanded to Inwood in 2016, launched a second youth development program there in 2018, and piloted an adaptive sailing program in 2021 to serve youth and adults with disabilities. We are a US Sailing Certified Community Sailing Center, and have been awarded "Outstanding Community Sailing Center" in 2016 and "10 Years of Hallmark Performance," in 2019.

We have lasting partnerships with a number of maritime and educational organizations in the city. HRCS is a member of the Student Success Network, the Youth Development Institute’s Career Internships Institute, and CUNY ‘s CARA College Inquiry CBO Consortium. In Inwood, we operate in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and we are a permittee of the Hudson River Park Trust in Chelsea. We have a close relationship with our elected officials in both District 10 and District 3, as well as with the Manhattan Borough Presidents’ office.

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Watch to learn about our expansion to Inwood

Fleet and Facility

We have 12 J/24 sailboats, the most popular keelboats in the world, from various years, and 13 new J/80s, purchased from 2018-2020. The boats are fast and sporty, while being stable and safe, and are typically crewed by 4 or 5 sailors. HRCS operates from Pier 66 in Chelsea, and Dyckman Marina in Inwood.

Custom Group

Testimonials

Sail Academy Graduate

“Although I have learned so much about sailing, this program also greatly improved my social skills. I have become much more open, I have become a better leader, and most importantly I learned how to teach others the skills I have acquired. I did not immediately notice the changes occurring until people around me commented on how much of a positive impact sailing and being part of this program had on me.”

Anthony Oakcliff Scholarship Winner

Program Partner

“US Sailing prides itself on providing leadership, integrity and advancement for our sailors; all of which are shared objectives of Hudson River Community Sailing. HRCS has been a US Sailing Certified school since 2009, and provides high-quality sailing and marine education to the New York City community.”

Jessica Servis Reach Program Manager US Sailing

Parents

“We're so delighted with everything she's learned in just 2 days. She's never been on a boat other than the Staten Island Ferry before so this is definitely out of her comfort zone. When I asked her what she likes about it she said "I just like sailing." Who knew?”

Jenny Beirne Parent of City Sail student

“Our son, Nick, has been in this program for 4 years and has learned all aspects of sailing. He has studied math and physics as it relates to sailing, and this has helped him in school. The kids build a boat in the winter, and then sail it in the spring. This is such an amazing program for inner city kids.”

Tracy Fusco Parent of Sail Academy Graduate