Our History

Building upon community sailing programs sponsored by the Salem Park, Recreation & Community Services Department, Sail Salem was established and began offering summer sailing programs in 2007. Our educational sailing program exists to empower all participants, regardless of economic and ethnic background, to develop independence, self-confidence, and communication skills, while fostering teamwork, community spirit and volunteering through the sport of sailing.

Sail Salem is registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It complies with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is licensed by the Salem Board of Health.



Sail Salem Managment

Sail Salem is managed by a volunteer-based Executive Board and Board of Directors in consultation with an Advisory Board. Sail Salem thanks the volunteers that contribute their time and expertise, the many sponsors & contributors that provide financial support, the City of Salem, and the many young people and their parents who participate in our programs and make the Sail Sailem efforts worthwhile.

Executive Board

Paul McLaughlin, President

Patty MacLeod, Vice President

Anne Marije Veenland-Lee, Treasurer

Patricia Connolly-Atkins, Secretary


Board of Directors

Carol Arnold

Fred Atkins

Forbes Barber

Alex Cheung

JuLee Colella

Paige Covello

Jana Gauthier

Lisa Keith

Tracy Lawrence

Arabellis Luciano

Brad Maloon

John Murray

David S. Smith, Founding Officer

Laurence Talbot

Karen Tenenbaum

Advisory Board

Deborah Amaral 

Noah Flaherty

David Gilbert

Rick Haigis, Past President

Elizabeth Haran 

Jeff Kane  

Bryan Lee      

Riley Linden        

Robert McCarthy

William McHugh

Maureen McKinnon

Chris Roper

Keegan Whitehair