The Anacortes Waterfront Alliance received a $1,000 grant from NMTA. We spoke with Mary Trester, director, to learn more.
What does the Anacortes Waterfront Alliance do?
We recently changed our name to Anacortes Community Boating to better reflect our mission: Bringing you the joy of boating! We’re a nonprofit based on Fidalgo Bay at the Port of Anacortes. Our programs range from operating the Anacortes High School and Middle School Sailing Teams—with 25–30 sailors each spring and fall—to hosting up to four regattas annually at Seafarers Memorial Park. In summer, we offer Learn to Sail classes for youth and adults, kayaking and paddleboarding for younger participants, Mindful Paddleboard for adults, and Learn to Row for juniors and adults. We also host Community Boating Nights to provide low-cost rentals and manage a gated dry storage facility for sailboats and dinghies.
How were the NMTA grant dollars used?
The $1,000 grant directly supported Community Boating Nights, helping us provide low-cost access to kayaks, sailboats, and paddleboards. Importantly, the funds ensure we can always staff a safety boat, keeping participants safe while having fun.
Did the NMTA funds allow you to do something you couldn’t otherwise?
Yes. Without this support, we would not have been able to keep our rates low, which is critical to making boating accessible.
How did the funds help advance NMTA’s Grow Boating mission?
Our Community Boating Nights drew over 90 participants this summer, many of them new or underserved community members. By keeping costs low, we lower barriers to access, invite more people onto the water, and encourage existing boaters to participate more often.
What would you like NMTA members to know about your organization?
We welcome visitors to join us for on-water activities in Anacortes—there’s truly something for everyone.
How can members help?
Our most pressing need is a safety boat, which supports all of our programming. Donations can be made at anacortescommunityboating.org/donations.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you to NMTA and its members. Every dollar donated goes directly to support programming that helps us bring the joy of boating to more people in our community.