Junior Sailors Emerge Victorious In Junior Sweepstakes Regatta
Also known as Junior Sweeps, the regatta is a four-day sailing event for junior sailors held at Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club (SSYC) and Monmouth Boat Club (MBC). Fifty young sailors participated. The regatta alternates between the two clubs, with the first two days at SSYC on the Shrewsbury River, and the final two days at MBC on the Navesink River.
The event features races for sailors from many local clubs, including Monmouth Boat Club, Shrewsbury River Yacht Club, Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club, Keyport Yacht Club, Rumson Yacht Club and of course, Fair Haven Sailing Club, aka ‘River Rats.’ Boats sailed on race day included Optis, Lasers, and 420s.
River Rats’ Alfred John Schiavetti, Fair Haven, also known as ‘A.J. to his friends, took first place in the Laser Division. By all accounts, A.J. is an amazing sailor and an example to others in the organization, according to Skipper Jill Lynch. “We are beaming with pride, of course. This is a wonderful victory and also reinforces sailing as a great tool for personal growth and development,” Lynch stated.
Also furthering River Rats’ fame is Miles Kolarsick, Middletown, who earned a second-place finish in the Opti Red Division. His parents, Karl and Jessica, could not be prouder and noted that Miles, 13, has been involved in sailing for 4 years and loves it. “Conversations in our home revolve around sailing and what happens at River Rats. We recently purchased Miles his own Opti, and he even encouraged his sister, Alice, to try sailing for the first time this season.
The program at River Rats is a great way to hone problem-solving skills,” Karl noted. Jimmy Stigliano, Fair Haven, and Logan Demsack, Middletown, also competed for River Rats with a strong showing. Stigliano placed sixth in the Opti White Division, and Demsack finished eighth out of a field of 16, sailing a 420. “They are rising stars for sure and youth sailors to watch out for,” added Skipper Jill.
About River Rats
River Rats, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax-exempt organization fully operated and maintained by volunteers. The organization provides both a junior sailing program and an adult sailing program. Membership is not needed to take part in the classes; however, members receive substantial discounts and have first priority. In addition to the sailing programs, River Rats provides social events and a racing series for members, in addition to opportunities to join invitational regattas with other sailing clubs.
River Rats is a member of U.S. Sailing and the North Jersey Yacht Racing Association. Their flagship youth sailing program has trained over 5,000 children to date, and the adult training program allows entire families to learn to sail together. River Rats is an affordable, friendly and welcoming organization whose members are drawn together by a love of sailing.
The address is 120 Battin Road, Fair Haven, N.J. 07704. Mooring space is available for members, along with berths for kayaks and paddle boards with a full schedule of seasonal social events, including fun sailing races and BBQ nights. The 3 primary goals of River Rats are to promote aquatic activities amongst children and their families; to offer training that emphasizes and prioritizes safety; and to provide facilities to accomplish these goals, which also include social events for both members and the greater community.
Cover Photo:
Miles Kolarsick races to a second-place finish in the Opti Red Race of Junior Sweeps