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Author: Laura Snyder Smith

News
May 29, 20260

Apply for special swim program

Learn to swim with us this summer!

KBIA is excited to offer a low-cost Saturday summer swim program for children ages 5 and older this summer! This program is designed to help kids build confidence in the water while learning basic swimming and water safety skills in a supportive, encouraging environment. Spots are very limited, and this opportunity is intended for local families who may not otherwise have access to swim instruction. 

If you’re interested, please email [email protected] and include:

• Your child’s age
• A brief note about why you are interested in swim lessons

Families selected for the limited openings will be contacted by email. Because space is so limited, we may not be able to respond to everyone who reaches out.

💙 Every child deserves the chance to feel safer, stronger and more confident in the water.

News
May 26, 20260

We’re here to answer questions

KBIA SAILING NEWSLETTER

We’re here to answer questions

‘Office hours’: 1:30-2:30 PM Friday, June 26

 

Dear KBIA Sailing families, 

With less than a month until KBIA’s opening day, the Cove will soon come to life as we begin to launch boats, install docks and prepare to welcome our sailors! 

The first week of KBIA is busy, and we understand that questions often arise about waterfront classes. On Friday, June 26, we will be hosting a drop-in “office hours” session to answer any questions you may have about classes, your child’s sailing interests / ability, etc. Anytime between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., please stop by the Waterfront Director’s office on the Strong Cottage porch. We will be happily waiting to answer any questions or address any concerns. 

On this note, know that we are always available to answer questions you may have throughout the sailing season. As ever, feel free to reach out to Nolan or Jamie as the summer approaches and the season gets underway. 

Last month, we shared a schedule of MIRCs the race program will plan to attend. Please reference back to April’s newsletter to see those dates. They can also be found on KBIA’s website, kbia.net. 

More information about MIRC logistics will be communicated to parents in the week prior to the regatta. 

Despite a cold and rainy Memorial Day weekend, we are excited for sunshine and warmer weather. Most of all, we look forward to seeing you on campus soon! 

Best, 

Nolan Byron 
Race Program Director & Lead Sailing Instructor  

Jamie LaMent
Waterfront Director

Important News
April 13, 20260

Sailing race dates this summer

Summer 2026 MIRC schedule: 

July 8: MIRC, Portland Yacht Club 
July 16: Laser Clinic, KBIA 
July 22: MIRC, Prouts Neck Yacht Club 
July 29: MIRC, KBIA
August 2: Reid Sacco, KBIA (open to all members)  
August 5: MIRC, Peaks Island TEIA 
August 12: MIRC, KBIA

News
April 13, 20260

Sailing dates this summer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear KBIA Sailing families, 

Happy April! Below you will find a list of MIRC dates that KBIA’s race program will plan on both attending and hosting this summer. Also listed is the annual Reid Sacco Regatta, which is open to all KBIA members. 

We will note that dates listed remain tentative as New England Sailing’s scheduling continues to update as we approach summer. However, plan on marking these dates in your calendars as the race team will work to attend as many MIRCs as possible. 

Summer 2026 MIRC schedule: 

July 8: MIRC, Portland Yacht Club 
July 16: Laser Clinic, KBIA 
July 22: MIRC, Prouts Neck Yacht Club 
July 29: MIRC, KBIA
August 2: Reid Sacco, KBIA (open to all members)  
August 5: MIRC, Peaks Island TEIA 
August 12: MIRC, KBIA

MIRCs are daylong youth regattas where KBIA sailors will depart from campus in the morning and return by late afternoon. They are always fun-filled days marked by a good competitive spirit and sportsmanship. We heavily encourage all students enrolled in the race program to attend. Scheduling logistics for each MIRC will be communicated to parents the week prior. 

As with each newsletter, if you have any questions about the race program, MIRCs, or KBIA sailing generally, please contact Nolan Byron ([email protected]) or Jamie LaMent ([email protected]). 

Best, 

Nolan Byron 
Race Program Director & Lead Sailing Instructor
Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association | KBIA

Jamie LaMent 
Waterfront Director
Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association | KBIA 

News
February 23, 20260

A note from KBIA’s sailing program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello! We hope this email finds you well, and welcome to the first edition of KBIA sailing’s newsletter. As the winter months continue to bring cold temperatures and snow up in Maine, it is nice to begin looking forward to warmer days ahead at KBIA! 

This summer, KBIA is excited to strengthen our sailing race program, and we heavily encourage you to consider enrolling your child in race program classes. The race program offers KBIA’s highest level of sailing instruction. In this class, students will study all components of sailboat racing with an emphasis on proper boat handling, the rules of racing, and mastery of sailing fundamentals. The goal of the race program curriculum is to develop competent, confident, and competitive sailors who are ready to compete in local sailing regattas and MIRC’s (New England Sailing youth regattas). 

KBIA is excited to announce multiple on-site events hosted by the race program. This summer, KBIA racing will host:

  •  Late June / early July: Laser Clinic (Instructed by Diana Weidenbacker, Head Coach of University of New Hampshire’s Sailing Team) 
  •  July 29: MIRC (c420s, Optimist) 
  •  August 12: MIRC (c420s, Optimist) 

 Any additional curriculum which is planned will also be announced throughout the spring/summer. 

As stated above, we hope you consider registering your child for the race program. Students who are enthusiastic about taking their sailing to the next level will be perfect candidates for this course. Only one week of sailing experience is required from the previous summer to register, as we have lowered the prerequisite to open the class to more students. Ultimately, the race program guarantees more one-on-one, focused coaching with students, and a chance to travel/sail with our team. 

We hope you take advantage of the opportunities that our KBIA race program provides, and are excited to welcome you all back to KBIA’s campus in a few short months. If you have any questions about the race program, or KBIA sailing generally, please reach out to Nolan Byron ([email protected]) or Jamie LaMent ([email protected]). 

Best, 

Nolan Byron 
Race Program Director & Lead Sailing Instructor 
Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association | KBIA 

Mimi Fox
Executive Director
Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association | KBIA

News
February 16, 20260

Create-your-own schedule here

Meet your new summer sanity-saver: our “old-school” KBIA schedule sheet—now with a modern twist. It’s the same simple, practical layout many of us grew up with (the one our parents kept on the fridge), but we’ve digitized it for 2026 and made it fillable and interactive. You can plug in your child’s classes, days, and weeks in one place, update it anytime, and keep everything straight without juggling emails and screenshots. It’s available right on our website—easy to access, easy to use, and designed to help your family head into summer feeling organized and ready for the beach. Access it here:

News
February 11, 20260

Lace up for our 35th race!

Registration for KBIA’s 35th Annual A Day at the Beach 5K Road Race and 1K Fun Run for kids opens at 5 PM Thursday, Feb. 12! Run, jog or walk your own pace along our USATF-certified 3.1-mile course, winding through the Kennebunk Beach neighborhood with Atlantic views, and finishing at KBIA. It’s a feel-good, FUN fundraiser that brings together runners, families, volunteers, and our whole community. REGISTER HERE

✨ Bonus: Register before May 16 to receive a registration discount and a FREE race shirt! Come for the views.

Stay for the vibes. Support KBIA, one step at a time.

 

News
February 9, 20260

Registration opens Feb. 28

Registration for Summer 2026 programs opens Saturday, Feb. 28 at staggered times:
10 AM: Bundles and Starfish
10:15 AM: Adventures Tent
10:30 AM: Sailing/Waterfront
10:45 AM: Tennis
11 AM: All remaining classes & CIT

News
January 5, 20260

Nine weeks of KBIA this year

Due to the calendar, every six years we get a bonus week of KBIA … and this is the year!
Please note the following dates of our 2026 programming:

Week 1: June 22-26                  Week 4: July 13-17           Week 7: Aug. 3-7
Week 2: June 29-July 3            Week 5: July 20-24           Week 8: Aug. 10-14    
Week 3: July 6-10                     Week 6: July 27-31           Week 9: Aug. 17-21