The Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA) governs secondary school sailing in the United States, in both independent and public high schools. Sailor eligibility starts at the ninth grade; there are no age limits. As in college sailing, there are seven district associations which schedule events, as well as a system of national championships. While ISSA had its origins in the preparatory schools of the Northeast in 1930, it is now a nationwide organization with active districts in Northeast (NESSA), Mid-Atlantic (MASSA), South Atlantic (SAISA), Southeast (SEISA), Midwest (MISSA), Pacific Coast (PCISA), and Northwest (NWISA).

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Schools schedule dual meets for team racing and compete in open and closed fleet racing events, mostly in doublehanded dinghies. There is some single-handed competition, and there is a National Singlehanded Championship (Cressy Trophy). School teams reach the Nationals by competing successfully in district championships. Other National Championships are the Baker Trophy for team racing and the Mallory for two-division fleet racing in doublehanded dinghies.

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The Mallory, the oldest trophy, was donated by Clifford D. Mallory in 1930 when he headed NAYRU and was Commodore of Indian Harbor Yacht Club, which hosted the first Nationals in Atlantic Class sloops. Few schools have boats, so school sailing is very grateful for the support it receives from colleges and universities, community sailing programs and yacht clubs throughout the country, Community Boating (Boston, MA) alone hosts 19 Boston-area high schools. The U.S. Naval Academy hosted the Mallory and Cressy competitions for some years; however the championships are scheduled around the country. In the past few years, school sailing has developed rapidly, and it continues to do so. A ‘grass roots’ program, the Interscholastic Sailing Association has enjoyed support from US SAILING, USSF, ASAP (Sail America) and NSIA as well as the active participation of many volunteers and benefactors who see this opportunity for young sailors as a natural partner to junior and youth sailing, as well as excellent preparation for the large number of school sailors who go on to college sailing and beyond.

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When Steve Leslie stepped down as President, he had already set in motion actions which would help mould the future. By reviving the newsletter and initiating better external communication, he opened the door. By 1990, six of an eventual seven national districts became active and qualifiers began to be used for selection to the National Championship, the Mallory Trophy competition.

 

-Interscholastic Sailing Association