Renton Sailing Center was awarded a $1,000 Grow Boating Grant from NMTA. We spoke with Vice President Chris Lee and Maintenance Officer John Padgett to learn how the funding has helped expand access to sailing in the community.
What is Renton Sailing Center, and what does it do?
Renton Sailing Center is a community sailing program located at the south end of Lake Washington in Gene Coulon Park.
“Our mission is to promote the sport of sailing in the community through classes, races, clinics, and recreational sailing,” said Vice President Chris Lee.
“Our vision is to provide safe, accessible sailing for everyone.”
The center offers programs for all experience levels—from first-timers to seasoned sailors. Many community members discover sailing through the free Experience Renton Sailing open houses, where volunteers take guests on short, skippered sails. Nearly 200 participants went on to enroll in Small Boat or Basic Keelboat classes in 2025.
Once a person becomes a member, the learning continues through Open Sailing sessions, where trained volunteers assist with rigging, safety, and skill development. The center also hosts a weekly regatta called Skill Building Through Racing, pairing beginners with experienced sailors so everyone learns together. Some members even use the club’s small keelboats to participate in local regattas or to cruise the San Juan and Gulf Islands.
How were the NMTA Grow Boating grant dollars used?
The $1,000 grant funded an upgrade to the Center’s heavily used life jackets.
“Each of our life jackets gets used hundreds of times each season,” said Maintenance Officer John Padgett. “Our old ones were the cheapest we could buy, and they were getting worn out.”
With the grant and additional center funds, Renton Sailing Center partnered with Mustang Survival and Fisheries Supply to purchase higher-quality jackets. The new jackets are color-coded by size and designed to prevent tangled straps, making them faster and easier to use.
“We’re safer too, since everyone can find a good fit,” Padgett said.
Did the grant allow the Center to do something it otherwise couldn’t have done?
Yes. Without the grant, the Center would have continued to buy inexpensive jackets only as replacements were needed. The funding made it possible to proactively invest in higher-quality safety gear and improve the member experience.
How did this support NMTA’s Grow Boating goals?
The new life jackets directly support growth and increased participation. Combined with the club’s recent purchase of RS Zest sailboats—which serve both youth and adults—the upgrades allow more people on the water at once.
“At Renton Sailing, we’ve elevated the experience—better boats, certified instructors, and a welcoming atmosphere,” Lee said. “It’s now the norm to see all ages and backgrounds sailing here.”
How can NMTA members help?
Continue supporting the Grow Boating Grant. The center plans to train more US Sailing–certified instructors and continue improving its fleet.
“Come see us,” Padgett added. “We sail year-round.”