September 30, 2021
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Chris, Stacey and Gary at the New York Yacht Club for the Skippers Meeting
AIA New Jersey Members Compete in the 20th New York Architects’ Regatta
AIA Newark and Suburban Past President Christopher Stone, AIA, AIA NJ and Architects League Past President Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, and Architects League member Gary Kliesch, AIA, will be competing today in the New York Architects’ Regatta Challenge on the Hudson River! This event was started 21 years ago by Gerry Dolezar, of Les Metalliers Champenois in Paterson, NJ, as a way for industry professionals to network and have a fun day out on the water.
Stone, ranked third in the world in the J-24, will be the skipper. The crew consists of the Kliesches joined by regatta board member and architect Charles Prettyman of Cerami, and Carson Alsop of Lutron. The Skippers Meeting was held at the incomparable Beaux Arts New York Yacht Club 44th Street Clubhouse.
Over the years, this event has evolved into a premier fundraising program, averaging $200,000 a year for some great organizations in their efforts to support underserved children, encourage STEM education, protect our waters, promote aquatic-related activities, and develop preservation methods so that all bodies of water are safe.
SoundWaters
SoundWaters, founded in 1989, is the leading environmental education organization on Long Island Sound. Its mission is to educate children and adults about the wonders and beauty of Long Island Sound and the watershed. SoundWaters provides people with an understanding and awareness of the changes they can make in their lives and communities to restore, protect and preserve Long Island Sound and the Environment.
Sailing Foundation of New York
The Sailing Foundation of New York is dedicated to supporting competitive sailing, marine-related programs and sailing education. The Foundation is committed to providing active support to deserving recipients. To date we have raised over five million dollars, all of which has been used to benefit the sport of sailing, maritime education and directly related activities.
Hudson River Community Sailing
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. HRCS Was Named Outstanding Community Sailing Program of 2016 by US Sailing! This 4 year after-school program supports high school-aged children on a daily basis with homework support, community service, construction skills, physical activity and college counseling.
Rocking the Boat
Rocking the Boat empowers young people challenged by severe economic, educational, and social conditions to develop the self-confidence to set ambitious goals and gain the skills necessary to achieve them. Students work together to build wooden boats, learn to row and sail, and restore local urban waterways, revitalizing their community while creating better lives for themselves. Kids don’t just build boats at Rocking the Boat, boats build kids.
Brooklyn Boat Works
Working inside New York City middle schools and educational organizations, Brooklyn Boatworks offers a unique boat-building program that builds students’ skills and encourages positive behavior development. Students work together throughout the school year to build their own Optimist pram. At the end of the school year each class launches and sails its boat in the New York City harbor in an unforgettable celebration of accomplishment.
RIVERKEEPER
NY’s clean water advocate, Riverkeeper is a member-supported watchdog organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and its tributaries and protecting the drinking water supply of nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents.
Members of the NJ public can watch the regatta on New York Architects Regatta Facebook Live or at these suggested viewing locations.
By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in AIA Newark and Suburban, Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Members & the Community | | Comments (0)
