One of the state’s most beloved traditions returned this week, as the 21st annual CJ Buckley Memorial Regatta took place on East Greenwich Bay on Monday and Tuesday.

CJ was a competitive team sailor for the Greenwich Bay Sailing Academy team and also competed for Tabor Academy. He was diagnosed with brain cancer two weeks before his 16th birthday and two days after winning a regatta. CJ passed away at 17 years old after a 16-month battle.

Shortly after his passing, the local sailing community, led by CJ’s mates Justin and Kyle Assad, established the first-ever CJ Buckley Regatta in 2003.

What was originally a 20-team, 40-sailor regatta has grown exponentially over the years. This year’s event hosted 84 boats and 175 sailors, ranging from 18 US states and the Virgin Islands. The entire roster was filled in just 36 minutes after registration opened. This is also the 15th year that the regatta has served as the Club 420 Association’s National Junior Team Race Championship.

“The regatta has always been more than a national sailing rivalry. It has its story, and the emphasis has always been on sportsmanship, team spirit and camaraderie. The regatta would not be possible without our volunteers. The success and longevity of the regatta are in large part due to the dedication and commitment of these volunteers,” said CJ’s father, Carter, who also credited the Assad brothers for their hard work. “They deserve our immense gratitude.”

CJ’s mother, Lucy, said, “It’s so great to see the volunteers that come back. Some of them have volunteered for 21 years, and to see the younger kids now coming back with their families, it’s great. It’s become such a wonderful tradition.”

One of the 75 volunteers that returned was Katie Coughlin. After starting out making sandwiches and bagging lunches for the sailors, Coughlin went on to become a competitor in the regatta herself. Now, a college graduate, she is back as a volunteer.

“This is one of my favorite times of the year. Growing up volunteering, sailing the regatta for many years, to now again volunteering as an adult, it’s great to see how much it has grown. The sailors, the parents, volunteers, the whole community just loves this regatta,” Coughlin said. “The community this regatta brings, making sure everyone feels welcome, it’s a family that we have grown. We’ve brought in so many sailors that are now family.”

Justin Assad also reminded the sailors of why this event is near and dear to his heart.

“For us, this was just a way to keep a memory alive of a friend and celebrate what he loved doing, and share it with your generation and the next generation. That’s what’s important to us,” Justin Assad said.

The regatta returned many of its annual traditions, including a post-race dinner and award ceremony. The Buckley’s were sure to remind the sailors that the top prize of the week was the Sportsmanship Award, which sailors voted on at the conclusion of the race. Four scholarships were also handed out to local sailors while college coaches made the trip to meet and interact with prospective sailors. 

Carter Buckley and the entire team remember CJ and the impact he made both on and off the water.

“His passion was team racing. He was intrigued by the strategy and the tactical decisions required during the competition. His courage, spirit and determination to live every day to the fullest inspired and energized his mates,” said Carter. “His motto was very clear: ‘Sailing is life, the rest is just details.’”