By Airwaves writer Paige Hoffman
Spring sailing will be here before we know it! In the Northeast, it is now far too cold for most competitive sailing. Aside from a few winter warriors up to the challenge of frostbiting, most of us have hung up our drysuits for the winter and are anxiously awaiting spring sailing. Being sidelined from sailing doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing yourself for spring. In high school, working out in the offseason is often not emphasized enough. In college, it’s generally expected that sailors compensate for not practicing by working out frequently. Staying in shape over the winter is a key component of your success in the spring. Below are some simple exercises for sailors that are sure to give you an edge on the course in April.
Although running itself is not a part of sailing, it is important to keep up aerobic workouts for maximum output on the water. Having a strong base in cardio helps to lower your resting heart rate, which makes your body very efficient during exercise. This will allow you to use less energy so those long, heavy breeze upwinds won’t seem so daunting. Typically, a slow pace distance run, about two miles, with a few sprints intermittently, is enough to improve your cardiac performance and lower your resting heart rate.
“Core” is a term that is frequently used to describe the muscles in your back, pelvis, and abdomen. Since hiking is such a big part of sailing (especially in the early spring), making sure you have a strong core is essential. Beginning with simple abdominal exercises is a great way to begin a workout. Bridges, side planks, and curl-ups are all great exercises to try.
Bridge
Side plank
Curl- up
If you want to include arm strengthening, it’s best focus on biceps, triceps and shoulders, as they will be helpful for trimming lines and rigging. Some exercises that help are simple biceps curls, tricep push back, and lifting weights for shoulder strengthening.
The most often forgotten exercise is stretching, and it may just be the most important. Stretching is essential to proper muscle function, and neglecting to do so could cause an injury. As sailors, we are often in tense positions for extended periods of time. Stretching allows our muscles to release its relaxed state. One of the best stretches for sailors especially is a hamstring stretch. You can do it with a yoga strap or a towel. This stretch releases the back of the leg, and if done consistently, releases tension on the lower back, two big problem areas for active sailors. Another great stretch is the kneeling quad stretch, which works the hip flexors. This is especially important for crews who often have tension and pain in their hip flexors from being constantly crouched on the centerboard trunk.
Hamstring stretch (with a yoga strap)
Sailors should have a general workout which incorporates some of these exercises and stretches. All of them can be modified based on your ability level. It’s not enough to simply read your rulebook once in the winter and hop in a boat come spring. The most prepared sailors are the most successful, and coming up with a workout plan is perhaps the best way you can prepare yourself for a winning season.
Paige Hoffman, Northeast/High School Sailing Airwaves Reporter
Paige started sailing at age ten at Duxbury Bay Maritime School. By age twelve, she was competing in Optis and transitioned to 420 sailing when she was fourteen, becoming a member of the Duxbury High School sailing team as a freshman in high school and racing through club programs at Duxbury Bay Maritime school in the fall and summer seasons. In the summer, she works as a Junior Sailing Instructor at Duxbury Bay Maritime School, teaching younger sailors the fundamentals of sailing. In 2016, she helped her team win the Mass Bay League Team Race Championship and was named co-captain of her team for the 2017 spring season.
Tight Layline Management & The Art of the Shoot
By Airwaves writer Andrew Kerr
Picture this: A team is approaching the weather mark in 3rd place on a tight starboard tack lay line , it looks like that with some good sailing they will make it around the mark ahead of 55 other teams and will be off and running with a good spinnaker set.
But then the situation changes quickly, the driver starts to get a little anxious and starts pinching, a port tacker ducks them and then tacks up on their hip preventing an escape tack and as the boat speed drops and the foils steadily stop lifting and in tandem with an ill-timed set of waves the boat slides to leeward with no chance of making the mark , now the team is forced to jibe and duck all oncoming starboard tackers before finally getting in line again to round the mark in 18th place .
Sound familiar? It happens to all of us and it happens fast , it is a very common issue in big and small fleets dealing with adverse current, on short beats and in flatter water and medium air (where fleet boat speed is very comparable) where there tends to be lot of traffic at the weather mark.
Interestingly enough – weather mark rounding’s tend to be a little less complicated on long beats in big waves or heavy air as the fleet has a tendency to spread out more in these conditions due to a bigger difference in boat speed and boat handling skill.
Let’s explore the key elements of managing this scenario and ways to mitigate and reduce the potential issues that a tight lay line presents.
- Cardinal rule – Do not pinch initially on the approach! If the team pinches it drastically reduces the chances of making the mark as the boat goes sideways. Take the mark out of the picture and go fast; get the maximum lift out of the foils and the boat will climb up to the mark – boat speed, boat speed, boat speed. This is one of those critical moments in the race and the series – calling lulls, puffs, wave sets and being locked in as a team is everything right now.
- Alert! Alert! We need an escape plan and the option of the slam dunk defense: Ask the question of your designated set of eyes to leeward -how many port tackers are going to duck us and how far away are they? This is critical information as any port tacker that executes a good duck and then a subsequent tack on the lay line is going to be pretty close to bow to bow on the next crossing if an escape tack onto port is needed and they represent a potential shutting of the door. With this communication it is important to be on the same page with the terminology that is going to be used – do you like to hear “bow 14 is 6 lengths away “or –“Bow 14 is 15 seconds away”? When getting close to the mark a defense against the port tacker ducking and then tacking on the hip is to execute a slam dunk tack on them as they duck – remember the constraints of Racing Rule 13 – tacking, a tacking boat shall keep clear of other boats and rule 10, 11 and 12 does not apply so the ducking boat could luff us as they establish a leeward position. The slam dunk takes a lot of practice and typically does not work in light air or big waves as the ducking boat is much faster and can sail right through the tacking boats lee. It generally works best in flat water and medium air or when very close to the mark when there simply is not enough time and distance for the leeward boat to sail through the lee of the tacking boat. This is where your tacking practice in a wide variety of wind and sea conditions will prove invaluable.
- Risk/ reward decision based on info and a scan of boats around us – are we going to make the mark? Are we gaining or losing bearing on it and how is the boat ahead (if there is one) doing on the same line as us? Do we anticipate getting tacked on by other boats which with the added bad air may make it difficult to make it? If it looks like the probability is we are not making it and there is a gap in the starboard tack parade then a high percentage decision, particularly in a big fleet is to tack and get in front of them while we can, if the crossing looks close – wait for them to go bow down in a header or a lull or hit a wave set and then tack and cross them while we can. The other scenario is we could well be net gaining on the starboard tack parade and patience will pay, especially if we see a lift ahead that can get us to the mark or a left shift or more velocity to tack on and cross with.
- Remember the constraints of Racing Rule 18. 3 – Tacking in the zone, in a nutshell if we tack in the zone then we cannot sail a windward boat up above a close hauled course, if we tack outside the zone to the mark then we can take them head to wind if we need to shoot head to wind to make the mark.
- The art of the shoot, with compliance to the above limitations that rule 18. 3 presents, if we cannot make the mark and there is no avenue of escape to tack too, then shooting head to wind is going to be the move. Practicing shooting head to wind in a variety of wind, sea and current conditions here will be invaluable so that we have an accurate idea of how far we can carry with our momentum. I remember practicing shooting head to wind just prior to the Ensign Nationals a number of years back and it paid big dividends as we were able to shoot head to wind , carry our momentum 2 boat lengths and make it around in a big fleet . Ideally when you shoot you drop the Genoa , if only half down to reduce windage – or roll up the headsail , very often a team does not have time to do this ( or has not practiced it) so it is crucial to make sure the headsail sheet is blown right off so it does not backwind us on to port tack . The trick is to get the boat going maximum boat speed and then wait as long as is possible/ practical before heading the boat up sharply.
Conclusion:
With tacking practice, shooting head to wind practice and concise communication and heads up sailing from the team it is rewarding for a team to make it around the windward mark successfully in a tight fleet as there is much to process and consider in a short time. The team being able to execute at this critical juncture in the race will help go a long way to solidifying a good regatta or series finish.
Club Profile: St. Francis Yacht Club
News Flash: St. Francis YC is Hiring a full-time Race Director!
St. Francis Yacht Club was founded in 1927 by a group of 21 San Francisco Yachtsman with a vision of a club in the City. Ground was broken for the clubhouse that year, and events were held on members yachts until the club was formally opened in 1928. In 1959, the Club acquired its Tinsley Island Station, located on the Sacramento Delta. Tinsley offers members a warm boating destination to escape the traditional summer fog on the Bay. In 2002, the membership celebrated its 75th anniversary of activity on San Francisco Bay and around the world.
The yachting interests of our 2300-plus members include racing, cruising, sailboarding, kiteboarding, water-skiing and more. Our sailors have challenged and defended for the America’s Cup, brought home Olympic medals, and won prestigious races such as the Whitbread, Transpac and Pacific Cup. Whether cruising in the Mexican Sea of Cortez or racing in the Olympics, a St. Francis Yacht Club burgee is apt to be seen.
St. Francis Yacht Club is a year-round host of over 40 regattas on San Francisco Bay, including the annual Big Boat Series each September. The Club was host to the 2000 US Olympic Sailing Trials, and continues to host World and National Championships. StFYC is also dedicated to the development of young corinthian sailors. Our junior sailing team (ages 10 to 23) races locally and internationally in Optimists, Lasers, Radial Lasers, 29ers, 420’s and Flying Juniors. Each year, our Club hosts the Laser Sailing Symposium, with invitations to the world’s most competitive Laser sailors. 
Our San Francisco clubhouse provides a boating and social venue for our members and their guests. It features large deep-water guest docks, outstanding dining and incredible vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. This is the premier location to view yacht racing on the renowned City Front. The Club’s annual calendar includes a wide variety of social events from theme parties, and winemaker dinners, to cruises both locally and far away. News Flash: St. Francis YC is Hiring a full-time Race Director!
Recently, the St. Francis Yacht Club was named #1 Yacht Club in the country. Quite an honor for a great institution
2016 S1D/KO Sailing Youth Sailor of the Year Announced!
Sail1Design and KO Sailing are elated to announce the 2016 winner of the Youth Sailor of the Year Award, Charlotte Rose.
Dedication. Perseverance. Independence. These are just some of the attributes of the go-it-alone sailor, the lone wolf who is able to train, plan, and compete by her or himself, and do it successfully. This award, presented by KO Sailing, goes to the North American youth sailor who best personifies the qualities necessary to be a successful athlete in the single-handed sailing world.
Says Mark McNamara, president of KO Sailing, “KO sailing is a major supporter for competitive sailors between the ages of 8 and 18, helpin
g them to compete at the highest level. To us, the Lone Wolf Youth Sailor of the Year Award is a perfect way to recognize those individuals for their success and achievements in their respective elements. There is a great synergy between what KO Sailing is doing on the ground, and at events, in support of what these recipients have achieved. This program is just a great way for the country to recognize those sailors as they grow. Sail 1 Design, with their expertise and as the information resource for all things one design, is the only team to work with.”
We had a tough time again this year choosing the winner, and our decisions are based not only on sailing excellence, but intangibles as well. Charlotte indeed had a tremendous sailing season, highlighted by finishing 3rd overall in the US Laser Radial Class Grand Prix championship, and 3rd in the Laser Gulf Coast Championship. More importantly, she is a stellar academic student, and comes from a school with no sailing. So, she has to do this all on her own; this is a great story, and we are impressed with Charlotte all the more because of her passion. We were very impressed with her drive, self-motivation, and self-reliance. Charlotte will receive a gift from KO Sailing. Here is a bit from her nomination letter:
I would like to nominate Charlotte (Charley) Rose from Houston, TX representing Houston Yacht Club and Gulf Coast Youth Sailing Association for the Youth Sailor of the year award 2016 as defining Dedication, Independence and Perseverance in her everyday sailing and life.
Charlotte was introduced to being on boats at a very young age, it wasn’t until she attended a summer camp at HYC did she have an opportunity to sail by herself. She competed in Opti from the age of 9 through to when she was 11, recognizing herself that sailing was her passion but would be going nowhere fast at 5’4” and 130Ibs, that is when she switched into a Laser 4.7.
Charley spent many weekends learning the boat on her own and at times with just a single coach. Eventually other sailors joined her in the radial rig. Charley persevered and excelled eventually getting the attention of GCYSA for who she has sailed with for the last 3 years.
Charley has learned that sailing competitively and wanting to do well is not just about boat handling; she dedicates her spare time to working out, currently twice a week at the gym as well as swimming for her school team. She has become fiercely dedicated to her sport and learning not just about the boat but the finer points of nutrition, fitness and psychology (mind fit) of the sport.
Charley has started giving back to the sport, during her weekends she can be found at HYC coaching mini or green fleeters, realizing that that’s where she started off.
Dedication means something different to a sailor, competitor and athlete than it does to a parent. So long as you have dedication and perseverance from both sides this should make for a successful outcome. As her Dad says, so long as she shows commitment and determination so shall I.
This perseverance and determination is starting to pay off, this year Charley has represented USA at Worlds in Mexico, finished 8th at MWE’s, 14th in Laser Nationals, 6th in Laser North Americans, 17th at Youth Champs, 2nd in the Smythe Cup, 3rd at High School Nationals, winning both district 13 (Florida) and district 15 (Texas) Grand Prix events, culminating in not just becoming a regular of the ODP travel team but also being invited to train with the US Olympic Sailing team in January 2017.
Charley is becoming more and more self-reliant, to the extent as to when she travels it is typically with a school laptop and a book to read. Charley is the only sailor at her school of 2,600 students, despite the amount of time she is spending travelling and sailing she maintains a 4.5 GPA.
For all the dedication to growing herself as a sailor to imparting her knowledge on younger members, perseverance of achieving her dream of sailing at the Olympics and independence in her drive, dedication to her studies and countless hours either flying or on the road, I believe Charlotte is a worthy recipient of the 2016 Youth Sailor of the Year award.
ABOUT KO SAILING
KO Sailing is a premier provider of performance and recreational sailboats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards and accessories for the competitive one design racer or the water sports enthusiast. Whether it’s a pair of hiking pantsfor your Laser sailor, kayaker, or your child’s first Optimist, KO Sailing will ensure your water experience is a success. KO Sailing offers three convenient ways to shop. Visit the retail store in Seabrook, Texas, visit the KO Sailing support trailer at a race event or shop online catalog at kosailing.com.
2016 Orange Bowl Results
By Airwaves writer Taylor Penwell
2016 International Orange Bowl Regatta/Coral Reef Yacht Club, Miami Florida/December 26-30th
Copyright OB16 Matias Capizzano
Starting the day after Christmas, many sailors partake in the Coral Reef Yacht Clubs International Orange Bowl Regatta as an annual holiday tradition. This top-notch event brings hundreds of sailors out of the cold and into the warm sailing conditions Miami has to offer. The regatta is so popular that within hours of registration opening in September many of the spots are filled.
738 sailors on 560 boats comprised this years Orange Bowl Regatta. Sailors from 17 different countries competed in the event.
Optimist RWB – 263 boats
Optimist Green Fleet – 74 boats
Club 420 – 89 boats
Laser Radial – 84 boats
Laser Full – 23 boats
Laser 4.7 – 27 boats
The five-day event consisted of three days of racing, with one day cancelled due to light conditions. The first two days of racing saw light winds from 5-10 knots. The third day of racing was cancelled but the final day of racing had stronger winds from 14-18 knots to close out the regatta.
Copyright OB16 Matias Capizzano
Ten races were scored in the 263-boat Optimist RWB fleet was split into gold and silver fleets
Gold fleet top finishers
- Stephan Baker: USA, Lauderdale Yacht Club
- Mitchell Callahan: USA, Lauderdale Yacht Club
- Sebastian Riquelme: MEX, Coconut Grove Sailing Club
- Benjamin Fuenzalida: CHI, CYA, LISOT
- Justin Callahan: USA, Lauderdale Yacht Club
Copyright OB16 Matias Capizzano
11 races scored in the 74 boat Optimist Green Fleet
Green fleet top finishers
- Ian Fox: USA, CRYC
- Ryan Keenan: USA, CRYC
- James Asturias: USA, Coconut Grove Sailing Club
- Gustavo Alonso: USA, KBYC
- Avinash Raval: USA, CRYC
10 races scored in the 89 boat C420 fleet
C420 top finishers
- Ivan Shestopalov & Claudia Loiacono: Coral Reef Yacht Club
- Cole Harris & Annabelle Huylard: San Diego Yacht Club
- Mariner Fagan & Aidan Morgan: Annapolis Yacht Club
- Theodora Horangic & Helen Horangic: PYSF
- Tucker Weed &Olivia de Olazarra: Coral Reef Yacht Club
10 races scored in the Laser Full class,
Laser Full top finishers
- Leo Boucher: Severn Sailing Association
- Chase Burwell: Lauderdale Yacht Club
- Skylar Bayman: Houston Yacht Club
- Ben Childerley: RSYC
- Jake Victers: Annapolis Yacht Club
Copyright OB16 Matias Capizzano
9 races scored in the 84 boat Laser Radial class split into gold and silver fleets
Laser Radial top finishers
- Gage Wilson: LYC-ESC
- Chase Carraway: Lauderdale Yacht Club
- Asher Zittrer: Lakewood Yacht Club
- Connor Nelson: DIYC
- Carly Broussard: Ocean Reef Yacht Club
Copyright OB16 Matias Capizzano
10 races scored in the 27 boat Laser 4.7 fleet
Laser 4.7 top finishers
- Blaire McCarthy: St. Petersburg Yacht Club
- Chris Purcell: CGSC
- Cameron Delgado: SPYC
- Brandon Geller: DIYC
- Nicholas Reeser: Lauderdale Yacht Club
Congratulations to all the top finishers and the results of the 2016 Orange Bowl Regatta can be found on this link below: RESULTS
Club Profile: Lauderdale Yacht Club
News Flash: Lauderdale Yacht Club is Hiring!
Lauderdale Yacht Club opened in June 1938 for the purpose “to promote the science of seamanship and to provide and maintain a Clubhouse, piers and anchorage for the recreation of its Members and to make available for the youth of the community the opportunity to learn and practice seamanship and to render benevolent aid to the youth of the community interested in learning seamanship.” Since then the Club has been very involved in all aspects of Sailing, Yachting, and Boating but has also expanded into a full service Club and destination that includes Fine Dining, Social Activities, a booming Tennis Program.
With its interesting history, rich tradition, and modern flair, the Lauderdale Yacht Club will continue to grow and prosper with all of its loyal Members.
| THE LAUDERDALE YACHT CLUB JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM |
The mission of the Lauderdale Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program is to promote and teach the sport of sailing and seamanship to the youth of the Club and community. In addition to teaching sailing skills, the program emphasizes sportsmanship, life skills, teamwork, and an appreciation for fair competition between peers. Those participants dedicated to the program will have experiences that will benefit them for a lifetime. All the LYC instructors will share their knowledge and experience through a structured curriculum. The Lauderdale Yacht Club offers a year round sailing program for sailors of all skill levels. Click on the menu tabs to find out more about the many sailing opportunities our Club has to offer. News Flash: Lauderdale Yacht Club is Hiring! |
2016 S1D Optimist Sailor of the Year Announced!
Sail1Design is elated to announce the winner of the McLaughlin S1D Optimist Sailor of the Year Award winner, Justin Callahan!
Optimist sailing, for so many, is where it all starts. In fact, there may be no healthier one-design class in North America than the US Optimist Class. Sail1Design is proud to salute this boat, the people involved in the class, but most importantly, the kids who get out there in sail in this great little boat. This is the Lone Wolf in training, the next great single-handed sailor!
This award, announced each January, goes to the Optimist sailor, who in the evaluation of our judge panel (from nominated sailors), had the best overall sailing year, for the preceding calendar year. This is YOUR award! We require written submissions of nomination; in fact we only choose from nominated sailors, and do not suggest nor solicit specific nominations.
WHAT YOU WIN
Thanks to McLaughlin, the winner will get 3 great awards in addition to the honor of winning:
1. A beautiful, framed & engraved
painting to keep forever.
2. What’s more, and in keeping with the philosophy of both Sail1Design & McLaughlin, the winner will have the opportunity to give “the gift of giving”, or give back to sailing, and choose, on his or her own, an “up-and-coming” Optimist sailor to receive a FREE charter of a McLaughlin Optimist at a major US Optimist event on McLaughlin’s schedule! Sail1Design will help work out details of when and where this great gift is made.
3. Finally, the winner will ALSO receive his or her own free charter at a major event as well!
We had a very difficult choice to make, as the nominations were incredibly impressive. The S1D panel was certainly impressed with Justin’s race record; however we were even more impressed with his team racing ability, work ethic, sportsmanship, and the fact that he is well-liked and respected by his peers and competitors. This is a great recipe for long term success, in any endeavor, and we are very proud to have Justin win this award!! Read below excerpts from two separate nomination letters, to learn a bit more about Justin:
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I am writing to nominate Justin Callahan for Sail1Design Sailor of the year, following one of the best years for an American Opti Sailor ever. I’v worked with Justin as his team race coach since the Fall of 2015, and think that he is incredibly deserving as a sailor, teammate, and human being! Here’s a summary of his accomplishments:
*Won the USODA Team Trials, the toughest and most important Opti Regatta of the year, in San Francisco, CA. He won 7 of 12 races and notched 3 2nd’s, clinching the regatta before the final race of Gold Fleet.
*8th at Opti Worlds in Portugal, the top US Finisher and led the American’s in winning the Nation’s Cup – the award for given to the top overall country as determined by the top 4 finishers aggregate.
*Won Team Race Worlds on Team USA. First time for the Americans!
*3rd at IODA Asian Champs.
*Won Team Race Nationals in Houston, TX, sailing with LYC 1.
*Won the Opti Team Cup, Berlin, as part of of just the 2nd American Team ever to win it, and the first team ever to go undefeated (17-0). The Opti Team Cup is an annual event held since 1988 among the national teams of Europe. The USA Club team that wins Nationals receives an invite. While his brother Mitchell is officially the team captain, Justin was the best sailor at the regatta, and routinely took out multiple opponents to move his teammates ahead.
Other top accomplishments at USODA Regattas:
2nd Team Race Midwinters @ Lakewood YC. Team was undefeated before losing finals.
1st Valentines Regatta @ St Petersburg YC.
2nd SE Champs @ Key Biscayne YC.
7th Nationals @ Houston YC (not the biggest event for Optis and he had just gotten back from Worlds and won the Team Racing).
2nd Opti New England Champs @ SailNewport
1st Jersey State Champs (test event for 2017 Team Trails).
1st SE Champs @ Florida YC.
5th Opti Midwinters @ Southern YC.
Justin loves to practice. His tacks in the Opti are really fun to watch, as is his feel for surfing waves. In 7 kts of Breeze sailing in from our win in Berlin, he asked to surf my coach boat wake, and got the Opti on a full plane for almost a minute! With team racing, I have seen him become a student of the rules and able to talk tactics off the water. He is always a great teammate – he enjoys competition in practice, so he wants his teammates to bring their best and says encouraging things to them. Overall, its been really cool to see him set the goal of being the best sailor in the US, and with a lot of hard work achieve it! With the Opti being the largest class in the US and World, consistently winning fleets of over 200 boats is remarkable, and with all the great coaches and clubs out there, the competition is at a really high level right now. The season Justin has put together vs national and World competition makes him deserving of Sail1Design’s Youth Sailor of the Year Honor.
____________________________________________________________
From another nomination:
I’ve watched (Justin) sail all year long, and in my opinion, Justin Callahan has had the best regatta results all year. Perhaps most impressive was Justin’s dominating performance at the USODA Team Trials. Arguably the hardest and most important event of the year, Justin won 7/12 races and finished 18 points ahead of 2nd place. He was untouchable at that event; it wasn’t fair.
Justin followed up that result with a top performance at the IODA Asian Championship. In June, Justin attended the World Championship in Portugal and lead a strong contingent of Americans in the top 10 overall, finishing 8th. Most impressive was their win at the Team Racing World Championship AND the Miami Herald Award for the top US team.
Continuing wit
h his Team Racing success, Justin was an integral part of the Lauderdale YC team that won the US Team Racing Nationals, the LYC team race and represented the US at the Berlin Cup, winning that as well! Not only was he arguably the best fleet racer in the country in 2016, but he is also thought of as the best team racer.
Every regatta that Justin sails in, he is a threat to win.
Justin is a great kid, very coach-able, thirsty for knowledge, and very hard-working. His results speak for themselves, but his personality, dedication, and demeanor make him a very like-able person too. I highly recommend him for the Sail One Design Optimist Sailor of the Year award.
Many thanks to our exclusive sponsor McLaughlin Boat Works. About McLaughlin:
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Eventually, California Snipe sailor and veteran boat builder Mike McLaughlin, who had worked at Chubasco most of his life, purchased the Snipe molds and moved the operation to Tennessee in response to the relocation of the International Snipe Headquarters to Chattanooga. Mike McLaughlin further expanded the company’s success and helped distribute the McLaughlin Snipe on a worldwide spectrum.Steve Sherman, Indiana lake sailor, and father of three boys (two of whom presently work at McLaughlin) purchased the company from Mike McLaughlin in ‘86. Thus began the materialization of his life long dream of contributing to the sport of sailing and in particular the Snipe class. Steve Sherman, owner and head engineer from McLaughlin Boat Works, working with Luis Horta, IODA Chief Measurer. |
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| Steve’s commitment to innovation and continual improvement combined with his natural curiosity and “hands on” approach led the company to successes in many classes. At one time the company built the Lightning, Day Sailor, Windmill, Highlander, Thistle and Tanzer 16. MBW has always taken pride in pushing the forefront of foam/composite technology, such as being one of the first, outside of the aerospace industry, to use a vacuum bag in performance sail craft back in the early 1980’s. That history of innovation and continual improvement are evident today in our new dust and climate controlled production facility | |
| Beginning in 1990, at the request of families from the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Mclaughlin began a new tradition building its first International Optimist Dinghy. Today, Mclaughlin specializes in the Optimist and has become one of the leading manufacturers in the World.As Steve Sherman puts it, “the Optimist is the single most important element in keeping sailing alive and healthy in the world today. From the tens of thousands of children that learn to sail each year around the world will come the sailors, Olympians, instructors, coaches and commodores of tomorrow’s society. My dream of contributing to sailing has come true by a hundred fold.”
Holding true to the original ideas of Elms and Shear, MBW continues as a business run by sailors for the benefit of sailors. You cannot build a successful company without good people. MBW has assembled a group of like-minded sailors who believe that if you provide the finest in customer service and the best product money can buy the rest will take care of its self. This is why MBW is the premiere partner with the United States Optimist Dinghy class organization (USODA) and supporter of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA). |
Club Profile: Bitter End Yacht Club
By Airwaves Writer Taylor Penwell
The Bitter End Yacht Club is the epitome of the word picturesque. The world-renowned club is nestled in the posh North Sound of Virgin Gorda, part of the British Virgin Islands. With winter temperatures averaging in the low 80’s, the Bitter End Yacht Club is an extraordinary vacation destination in the Caribbean for everyone with a passion for sailing.
In the early 1970s the resort only consisted of shorefront pub with five cottages. The Hokins family purchased the small resort in 1973 and the club has become one of the most recognized recreational yacht clubs in the world. It was the Hokins intention that the club be organic, comfortable and beautiful. The club was self sustainable from the beginning, Bitter End generates its own electricity, collects and distills its own water, utilizes solar power and uses treated grey waste water to irrigate the hillside gardens.
You will not get bored at Bitter End. The club has large fleets of top of the line sailboats, skiffs, windsurfers, roomy excursion boats and more.
Sailboats available include:
-Hobie Waves
-Hobie Getaways
-Laser Standard, Radial, 4.7
-Rhodes 19
-C420s & Z420s
-LP Bahias
-IC24s
-Optimists
-Picos
-Bugs
In addition to the small boat sailing around the club, Bitter End also has Boston Whalers, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and larger vessels for day trips to see other amazing parts of the British Virgin Islands.
In addition the pleasure sailing, the club also hosts some serious racing events. The most notable is the annual Pro Am where resort guests are invited to crew for professionals of the Americas Cup, Olympics and other legends of the sailing world on the IC-24s. The regatta is a week-long event held the last week in October each year.
To quote the club, “As Bitter End has evolved, its course has remained constant: families remain at its core.” Still owned by the Hokin family, their dedication is for the resorts longevity and in taking great satisfaction in providing each guest with an enjoyable, one-of-a-kind vacation.
For more information on the Bitter End Yacht Club please visit their website here,
http://www.beyc.com/
Club Profile: Hudson River Community Sailing Center
Hudson River Community Sailing develops leadership and academic success in underserved New York City youth through sailing education and provides maritime education and recreation to the community at large.
Founded in 2007 to serve the urban community, we partner with public schools to offer credit-bearing academic programs, internships, mentoring, and college readiness. Our youth development platform uses sailing, boat operation, and boat building to further academic skills and instill the qualities of character necessary for college and career success. We also serve the broader community through affordable marine education and recreation for individuals, groups, schools, businesses, and families.
NewsFlash: HRCS seeks a full-time professional Fleet & Operations Manager
We have 15 J/24s sailboats, the most popular keelboats in the world. They are small boats that are fast and sporty, while being stable and safe. The J/24 is typically crewed by 5 people. Get in on the fun and find out why the J/24 is a great boat to learn the ropes on! We also own a small fleet of Hobie Cats and a 28′ Precision pocket cruiser.
Our facility is an award winning pier and boathouse, located on the western side of the West Side Highway at 26th Street. We are an affiliate of New York River Sports, making up the most unique water sport access point in our city.
Club Profile: Fishers Island Yacht Club
The Island:
Fishers Island Yacht Club is located on Fishers Island in West Harbor. Fishers Island is located at the eastern entrance to the Long Island Sound. It is about two miles off the southeastern coast of Connecticut opposite Stonington. The island is about 9 miles long and 1 mile wide. Ferries run year round back and forth from New London, CT which is a 45 minute boat ride and during the week from Noank, CT which is a 20 minute boat ride. There is a low population during the fall, winter, and spring, however, the population rises to several thousands in the summer months.
The Yacht Club:
Fishers Island was founded in 1886, and it has always provided simple facilities for yachtsmen. As well as a club conducting a series of races and yachting events during the summer season. The club is relatively small with about 475 member families. The facilities include a 100+ slip marina, quant clubhouse, and marina facilities.
The Sailing:
Fishers Island Yacht Club has a very active fleet of racers competing amongst 6 classes; IOD, J70, Bullseye, Club 420, Laser, and Open Bic. Sailors of FIYC compete not only at Fisher Island, but have represented Fishers Island in the IOD and J70 classes nationally and internationally. FIYC has numerous world and national sailing champions as well as prior olympians. The club has a very active instructional junior sailing program offering novice through advanced coaching throughout the summer months. The keelboat class is especially inclusive of the junior sailors, offering them numerous opportunities to sail larger boats on the weekend. FIYC strives to create high level sailors, along with supporting adventure sailing and a love of the sea.
The Marina:
As mentioned before FIYC includes a 100+ slip marina and marina facilities. They welcome transient yachts up to 150’ and 9’ draft. The marina is centrally located and you can easily walk to several shops making it a great starting spot to explore the island. Fishers Island Yacht Club also welcomes other yacht clubs to use their facility for club cruises. Recently, the New York Yacht Club hosted their Annual Summer Cruise at FIYC. Nearly 1000 yachtsmen embarked on Fishers Island for a full day of activities including golf, tennis, and whale boat races.
Fishers Island Round Island Race:
Recently FIYC just held its 60th Fishers Island Round Island Race. This race takes place over Labor day weekend, and draws sailors from all over New England. Recently, over 80 boats competed in the race, including all the local one design boats as well as big boat classes. The race offers several challenges with navigating the treacherous currents of the “Race,” and numerous obstacles in the Fishers Island Sound. Following the racing competitors enjoy a stellar party back at FIYC to celebrate the race, and the ending of the summer sailing season.
For more information on Fishers Island Yacht Club check out their website: https://fiyc.net
S1D 2016 Youth Sailing Team of the Year Nominations Open!
Its’ that time of year again! Please send in your nomination for 2016 Youth Sailing Team of the Year!
Teamwork. Chemistry. Dedication. Cooperation. Being on the same page as your partner and/or teammates is never easy, especially when that shared vision has to endure, and not simply be a statement of purpose on the dock. These characteristics are requirement in youth sailing team success. Sail1Design is proud to recognize the top North American Youth Sailing Team, each year, with this prestigious award.
The award is presented annually, in January, and reflects the efforts of a youth sailing team throughout that previous calendar year. We actively encourage written submissions of nomination. If you’d like to nominate a team, please write a 200 word minimum letter, with regatta results, to editor@sail1design.com.
Sail1Design currently seeks a title, exclusive sponsor for this award. To learn more, contact tom@sail1design.com
WINNERS
2015 – Stephanie Houck & Camille White
Club Profile: Downtown Sailing Center
The Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) is an award-winning, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) community sailing center offering sailing instruction and access to sailing through a variety of programming to the Greater Baltimore Community since 1994.
News Flash: Downtown Sailing Center is hiring 2 full-time positions, a Community Programs Director, and a Fleet & Membership Programs Director!!
The Downtown Sailing Center programs are available to the entire community. For adults, we offer adult education, recreational sailing open sails, Thursday Night Racing and cruising education. For youth, we offer junior’s camp, outreach programming that includes STEM curriculum, literacy education and Sailing Instructor Certification. For persons with disabilities we offer, accessible Saturdays, racing education and group outings.
“The Downtown Sailing Center provides quality education and life enriching programs that promote self-esteem and teamwork through the joy of sailing. The Downtown Sailing Center is committed to promoting an environment of inclusiveness and accessibility, especially to youth, persons with disabilities, and those with limited opportunity.“
We achieve our mission by:
- offering the community affordable access to quality sailing programs and events;
- providing education in sailing and water safety skills at all levels for all ages and abilities; and
- sponsoring both recreational and racing opportunities.
The DSC’s many sailing programs include junior day and overnight sailing camps, outreach programs for at-risk youth and persons with disabilities, adult lessons, cruising, open recreational sailing, corporate outings and team building, charters and racing.
The DSC is one of several hundred community sailing centers recognized by US SAILING, the national governing body of sailing. The DSC was recognized by US SAILING as the Outstanding New Program in 1997, Outstanding Seasonal Program in 1999 and Outstanding Community Program in 2012.
The Downtown Sailing Center’s (DSC) fleet of nearly forty boats, both daysailers and cruisers, as well as a handful of small powerboats. Many of the daysailers and all of the cruisers and powerboats have been donated to the DSC. Much of the fleet maintenance is performed by DSC members on a volunteer basis. Boats that are donated to the DSC are maintained — and, in many cases, restored — by members, then put into the fleet to be used in the DSC’s programs and activities. Many of the cruisers are offered for sale after being part of the DSC’s programs for three years.
