Robie Pierce has been a driving force in National and International disabled sailing for more than 17 years. Having been a life long competitor prior to his 1985 diagnosis with MS, he saw an opportunity to bring the sailing experience to the greater disability community. 

His first effort (1989) was in his homeport of Newport, RI, where he developed the Shake-A-Leg Sailing program into a world renowned facility with programs from recreational sailing to co-hosting world championships. Robie recruited disabled sailors from throughout North America for the first USSA Independence Cup in 1991. He also collaborated in 1992 with the industry for the first America’s Cup For Sailors with Disabilities held in San Diego, CA. Robie was also was a guiding light in securing sailing as a medal sport in the Sonar for the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics.

But, it has not been all work. Robie and his team have won three US Independence Cups, the 1993 World IFDS Disabled Championship and the 1994 Japan Match Race Cup. He served as chairman of US SAILING's Sailors with Special Needs from ’92 –’96 and represented the USA as an executive board member of the IFDS from ’98 – 2002.