KSA
Knickerbocker Sailing Association

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About KSA

 
What is KSA?

KSA brings together men and women who want to share the excitement of boating in a comfortable, gay-friendly environment.

As of April 2006, KSA had 123 members of all ages. It's fleet included 40 boats — 37 sailboats and 3 powerboats. While some of our members have impressive sailing experience, no sailing experience is necessary to join.

 
Why a Gay and Lesbian Sailing Association?

Anyone who has been boating knows the pleasure of good company away from the stresses of life on shore. Unfortunately, most also know the discomfort of being stuck on a boat with people around whom one cannot be oneself.

For boat owners, especially of larger craft, the need for a crew is constant while the list of nautically minded friends and acquaintances is short. At the same time, many who have been bitten by the sailing bug are not prepared to sail fearlessly into ownership.

For sports enthusiasts, sail racing is an exciting and rewarding activity. KSA aims to facilitate and promote the enjoyment of this sport amongst the gay and lesbian communities.

Our aim is to unite to the advantage of all. The Knickerbocker Sailing Association exists as a resource which we invite you to enhance and use to the fullest.

Where are KSA members located?

The region we serve stretches from Cape Cod to Cape May.

Our three major KSA fleets are:

• Long Island Sound Fleet
  • North Shore of Long Island
  • Connecticut Shore
  • East River, City Island and New Rochelle
• Eastern Fleet
  • Peconic and Gardiner’s Bays
  • Fisher’s Island Sound
  • Block Island Sound and Rhode Island Sound
  • South Shore of Cape Cod
• Ambrose Fleet
• Hudson River and New York Harbor
• Lower Hudson Bay
• Great South Bay
• Jersey Shore

Who are the members?

KSA is proud to have a wide mix of members of all ages and backgrounds, and encourages everybody who has an interest in boating with GLBT people to come and meet us.

How did KSA begin?

Our inaugural trip was in August 1994. 13 gay men met in Jersey City for a sail aboard a 38-foot Irwin cruiser. We set out just before twilight into New York Harbor, slipped beneath the Verazano Narrows bridge and returned to the Battery as the bright lights of the Trade Center reflected on the water all around us.

We came together that night as strangers, with only the love of boating in common. Three hours later we were all laughing, reminiscing, camping and sharing some wonderful food. We returned to the dock late that night, amid lots of hugs and kisses, knowing this was the start of something very exciting that could never have happened a decade earlier.