Who Should Apply?
You should! You and your team must each be at least 19 years old. You should be motivated to try to take on the challenge of competing in one of the most competitive One-Design classes in the US and assemble a team to campaign in a number of highly competitive regattas around the country! You would be selected by a panel of experienced Lightning sailors based on the proposals that each team submits and through an interview process.
What Do I Get Out of the Program?
You get to augment your college sailing experience with skills that are not normally associated with college sailing. A strong emphasis on boat speed, rig tuning and sail trim, spinnakers, shifting gears, longer course tactical and strategic decision making are all part of Lightning racing. You get to travel with your team to a number of regattas all over the country. The Boat Grant Program recently updated its provided equipment nearly or brand-new boats! ALL the sails are brand new as well! You also get to make friends with a new sphere of sailors and business professionals who might be able to help you in a broad range of ways after college.
How Do I Apply?
Go to the Boat Grant Information Page and look at the Boat Grant Program information. The requirements and application are on line. Get your schedule and team organized. Get three recommendations lined up now. Deadline to apply: January 22st!
Need More Reasons to Apply?
The Lightning Class is known for its COMPETITION. The Lightning class has some of the top sailors in the world, actively racing in the Class.
The wide ‘ideal’ crew weight (430-510 lbs) for the Lightning results in lots of women and kids at major regattas. Many of the top sailors sail with family members. Women are equals in the Lightning and female skippers have won almost every major Championship in the Class.
Lightnings are easy to set up and trailer. Clear tuning guides make setting up the Lightning straightforward to tune for maximum speed. You’ll find that all class champions and leaders share their knowledge with all sailors at regattas.
There are over 100 active fleets worldwide with 80 in the United States and Canada alone. There are at least 10 regattas a year with 40 or more boats in just the Eastern half of the US.
This year, highlighted regattas include: St Pete (Feb)and Marblehead (July) Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series, The North American Women's Championship August 8-11 at Larchmont YC in Larchmont, NY and the North American Championship September 23-27, at the Carolina Yacht Club in Wrightsville Beach, NC. These events will provide excellent sailing and tremendous hospitality.
Back for 2025 will be our 2nd Annual U32 Regatta! Plans for this event are in the works so check the Class Website for updates.
This is a great year to check out the Lightning Class.
Your Friends and Coaches Have Raced the Lightning!
Many former college sailors like yourselves have benefited from all the Lightning Class offers. Sailors like Conner Blouin, Chris Segerblom, Mitch Hall, Clinton Hayes, Ben Spector, Caroline Patten, Will Brown, Sam Stokes, Gordon Wolcott, Sarah Somes, Ryan Davidson and Jack Murphy; just to name a handful, have all raced Lightnings as a result of the Boat Grant Program.
Click for a full list of Boat Grant Recipients
Have Additional Questions?
Feel free to contact any of the Boat Grant Committee members with any questions you might have! We’d hope you’d join us and see why the Lightning Class still enjoys some of the toughest competition and best camaraderie in one design sailing today!
Laura Jeffers
Lightning Class Executive Secretary
office@lightningclass.org
727-942-7969
Ryan Davidson
boatgrant@lightningclass.org
949-422-9013
Ched Proctor
boatgrant@lightningclass.org