New Bedford Junior Regatta

1. We asked that competitors and coaches bring their own water bottles and fill them at the water stations provided. (Photo 1 - 0981 & photo 2 - 0981) 2. There were no plastic straws provided at the event and I asked the bars to resist giving them automatically with adult drinks. 3. Food was served on and in compostable dishes with compostable 'silverware'. (Photo 3 - 6097) 4. An example of an improvement/being reusable - we gave the kids/competitors candy in compostable cardboard cups. (Photo 5 - 6096) 5. As with last year, the awards given were useful items that can be reused many times over - canvas bags, wooden paddles, reusable drinking bottles. (Photo 6 - 1007) 6. Sustainability efforts were advertised on large posters hung around the club and many conversations were had between volunteers and competitors/coaches/spectators and our efforts were also mentioned on the NOR. (Photo 7 - 6065, photo 8 - 6066, photo 9 - 6076) 7. Local organizations were involved by providing food options, awards, candy, volunteer shirts etc. 8. See all photos above for examples of educational and reusable signage at the event. 9. Local pizzas, bagels and sandwiches were served. 10. I am/was the primary contact for all things 'Sailors for the Sea' but had to be away with my family for the actual event. The committee chair, sailing director and assistant were part of the 'Green Team', as were a couple of the junior instructors leading the beach clean up. 11. All bins for trash, compost and recycling were clearly marked using the (reusable) posters from last year. 12. Composting and recycling was encouraged at the bin area and food points. 13. The event was run using computers and laptops with very little - to no - use of paper at all. All volunteers signed up online for jobs, competitors registered at desks when volunteers entered their details directly onto computers. 14. The junior instructors encouraged their class to clean up the beach at the yacht club. I haven't yet received many photos, but above is one taken of a boy pulling a balloon out of the water on the beach. (Photo 10 - 4047) 15. A notice - added to the NOR - was sent to the coaches to encourage management of their boats and toxins entering the water. There were designated wash down areas - water only - clearly marked near the boat parking areas. (Photo 11 - 0978) 16. The beach cleanup increases knowledge and awareness of all volunteers and staff involved. This year our regatta logo had a whale front and center. 17. Vegetarian pizzas, vegetarian fillings for sandwiches and vegetarian bagel toppings were offered to competitors and spectators.