14 May Newport is a sailor’s town
I love Newport, RI. It’s a sailor’s town. I’m in town for a few days to catch the start of Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race, and I’m absolutely soaking it up. I had forgotten how great it is to be in the company of sailors. Let me explain.
I live, work and sail in New York City. NYC is a great place to live and work. It’s even a great place to sail (Manhattan is an island, after all!). Sailing by the Statue of Liberty at sunset never ceases to give me a thrill (and I have literally hundreds of “Statue of Liberty at sunset” photos on my camera roll to prove it). But while NYC has many things, it doesn’t really have a prominent sailing culture. There are several good sailing clubs in the city, and I sail with great folks both in New York Harbor and out in the Long Island Sound…but in general, sailing is the exception and not the norm. It’s even a little bit exotic.
Not so in Newport. People here pretty much live and breathe sailing. Everywhere you look there are beautiful boats – classics like 12 meters and J Class, as well as newer rocket ships like Comanche and Lending Club. There are Herreshoffs moored next to Hunters. At any given bar, someone is talking about a race they almost won – you know, if only this or that had happened, or not happened :). Bartenders here know how to pour a proper Dark ‘n Stormy. Everyone has raccoon eyes and a sunburned nose. You can wear foulies out to dinner. You don’t have to explain “I look like this because I just got off a boat” – people get it. And there is something absolutely lovely about that.
Once you become part of the sailing community, you crave the kind of understanding and acceptance that only other sailors can provide. It’s such a treat to be in the company of sailors in this sailing town, even for a few days. Newport has a sailing culture like few other places I’ve been. In a funny way, it feels like home.
This quintessential sailing town was the inspiration for our Newport Crop sailing pant. In stretchy, breathable water-resistant material, with great details like deep zipper pockets and articulated knees – perfect for summer sailing in Newport.
Boats in Newport Harbor with the iconic Newport Bridge in the background. Photo by C. Borland.