By Airwaves Writer Paige Hoffman
It’s safe to say that the most difficult aspect of spring sailing in the Northeast is facing the cold. Knowing how to keep yourself warm on frigid days makes all the difference in staying up to speed during practice and competition. Getting uncomfortably cold may seem like an inevitable part of spring sailing, but it certainly doesn’t have to be.
The cold weather has significant effects on your body, which in turn has a big effect on your performance on the water. Cold and stiff muscles are especially harmful when paired with the explosive kind of body kinetics involved in dinghy sailing. All the work you have put in at the gym in the winter offseason is useless if you’re wasting energy shivering and can’t even feel your fingers.
The most important approach to staying warm is having the right clothing. In 2017, sailors have more choices than ever for cold weather gear. Unfortunately, sailing is an expensive sport, and you may be tempted to try to save money on gear. However, if there’s one thing that you should splurge on, it’s having the right kind of equipment to sail efficiently. You wouldn’t go skiing wearing a tshirt and jeans under your pants and jacket, so why sail in the same kind of clothing? Base layers are the most important kind of clothing to invest in. As far as drysuits go, as long as your seals work properly it doesn’t matter what brand of drysuit you wear. Some may be more comfortable than others, but drysuits are designed to keep you dry, not warm. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, literally.When I first started high school sailing my freshman year, I thought I would never be 
able to learn how to stay warm and sail efficiently like the upperclassman could. As a newcomer to spring sailing, I had no idea how to keep myself warm, and it took a lot of trial and error to figure out what worked best for me. I ended up getting frequent colds that kept me out of class and off the water. Over the years I’ve picked up a few techniques that help me stay warm and comfortable while sailing.
I have found my favorite line of base layers to be Patagonia. Although it’s an expensive brand, you really do get what you pay for. At every regatta in March and April, I still wear the Patagonia R1 Pullover I got when I was a freshman sailor. I’ve worn it sailing, skiing and horseback riding, and it’s held up it’s held to the test of time. It’s soft and comfortable on the inside and does wonders keeping me warm.
PATAGONIA MEN’S or WOMEN’S R1® PULLOVER
Patagonia also has the benefit of being very in-style right now, so when you’re not sailing you can wear just about any of your base layers wherever and however you want to. They also have a number of discounts available for high school and college sports teams. Patagonia base layer pants which run between $30 and $60, are an invaluable investment.
Patagonia Women’s Capilene Lightweight Bottoms (my personal favorite for under a drysuit or spray pants.)
Other popular brands, Helly Hansen and Musto, have the same advantage of being focused on multiple sports. While they do make plenty of sailing gear, I have found that the skiing base layers from these brands work best. They’re warm and form-fitting without being restrictive. It’s hard enough to stay flexible in a drysuit alone, so having gear that fits properly is an absolute must.
Musto Active Base Layer Zip-Neck Top, one of my favorite mid-weight base layers.
I prefer wearing one or two thick layers as opposed to many thin ones. Getting dressed for sailing is definitely a quality over quantity situation. It’s much easier to stay mobile on the boat when your joints are not hindered by excessive layers of clothing.
With high performance base layers and a good pair of wool socks you will be much happier and warmer than anybody else on the water. While you may have to spend a bit more money initially, investing in quality clothing will save you money and provide invaluable comfort on the water.
About 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.
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Club Profile: US Sailing Center Martin County
News Flash: USSCMC is Hiring a Full-time Sailing Director/Head HS Coach
The USSCMC Story
In 1992, a small group of community leaders envisioned the possibilities and opportunities that a community sailing center could provide to children and residents of Martin County. Later that year, US SAILING, the National Governing Body of sailing in the United States, authorized them to develop a “small boat training facility” in Martin County.
The Center had modest beginnings in a trailer located on the Jensen Beach Causeway. With hard-working volunteers and donated sailboats, the Center began to grow. In 1998, it was recognized as the nations, “most creative and innovative community sailing program.” In April 2002, the Center moved into a new home at the north end of Indian Riverside Park. This facility is the culmination of ten years of hard work by numerous volunteers and supporters of sailing. It was made possible with the cooperative assistance of the Martin County Board of Commissioners and the Parks and Recreation Department
The US SAILING Center of Martin County is not a yacht club, we are a 501(c)3 community sailing center. All operating and capital funds are generated by direct user fees and fund- raising events. The USSCMC is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors who are active throughout the Treasure Coast Community.
USSCMC Mission Statement
“The US Sailing Center of Martin County is committed to broadening the base of the sport of sailing through dedicated, affordable, community sailing programs for youth and adults, and providing support for the development of future champions and Olympic racers.”
News Flash: USSCMC is Hiring a Full-time Sailing Director/Head HS Coach
Cape Cod Sea Camps is Hiring!
Check out CCSC’s 420 Race Coach & Instructional Sailing Position Opening
The Cape Cod Sea Camps Mission
Through personal commitment and dedicated to the development and guidance of youth we will provide a unique educational environment in which individuals have fun and realize their worth and potential.
Working Philosophy
The Cape Cod Sea Camps are preeminently dedicated to the guidance of youth and founded on the principles of love for fellow men and appreciation of God’s world and people. Camping is a joyful educational experience carefully designed to allow children to develop all aspects of their personalities – physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. Children at camp are viewed not merely as “miniature adults”, but as youngsters who need constant care and attention to help them develop into happy, productive, sensitive men and women. Camp provides a microcosm in which a child’s attitudes will be greatly influenced and in which he may “experiment” with new types of behaviors in a controlled, responsive environment. Camp helps children learn about themselves as they learn about people and natural beauty around them. As each child is respected as an individual, so he is encouraged to become sensitive to the unique aspects of humanity in others. Children are helped to overcome the insensitivity inherent in categorizing individuals by group associated through living, working, playing with others of both sexes, and various ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds.
The Cape Cod Sea Camps are “people places” where the needs of children and abilities of the staff determine the program; no tradition is so entrenched that is wisdom cannot be scrutinized and no proposed innovation is too radical not to merit serious consideration. The essence of the camp is the multifaceted composite personality of every person who has influenced it throughout more than three quarters of a century, and the substance of its future has yet to be determined by those who will give of themselves tomorrow. Everything that happens at Cape Cod Sea Camps, however, is strongly imbued with the moral consciousness that it takes time for a child to grow and a deep conviction that camping is indeed an educational experience, and unlike any other anywhere.
- Camping is an Educational Experience
- Camp develops all aspects of a camper’s personality-physical, mental, spiritual, emotional
- Each child is respected as an individual and encouraged to become sensitive to the diversity in the world around us
- Camp is a “people place”
History of Cape Cod Sea Camps
The history of the Cape Cod Sea Camps, Camp Monomoy for Boys and Camp Wono for Girls, is the story not only of two children’s camps, but also of a family, the Delahantys. More than any other single individual, Robert J Delahanty created and crafted the essence and character of the Sea Camps. It was his vision that came to life in 1922 and which still endures today. With the inestimable assistance of his wife and partner, Emma Berry Delahanty, and later, their daughter, Berry Delahanty Richardson, Captain Del gave substance to his dreams, founding a business and embarking on a calling.
Captain and Mrs. Del dedicated themselves to serving youth. From the beginning of his career, Captain Del passionately believed in the educational and spiritual value of properly constructed recreational activities. His brilliance shone through in his camp program offerings, and also in his innate sense of what was good and useful for children. He understood that every child needs to be best at something, whether hitting a baseball the furthest, sailing a course the quickest, swimming a distance the fastest, or simply having the most perfect bed in camp.
Today the Delahanty tradition not only endures, it flourishes! Captain and Mrs. Del’s granddaughter, Nancy Garran, now steers the ship with the same commitment to excellence laid down by her grandparents and her Aunt Berry.
Check out CCSC’s 420 Race Coach & Instructional Sailing Position Opening
ICSA News: Exciting racing in SAISA and MAISA!
March 6, 2017 — Sub-freezing temperatures and gale-force winds kept NEISA from racing, however, team racing is heating up elsewhere in the first weekend of March.
Photo by Chris Klevan
The weekend was headlined by the Bob Bavier Team Race. 10 teams made the trip to Charleston for a refreshingly cool weekend of sailing. After 102 races, The College of Charleston Cougars came away from their home event victorious with an 18-3 record. The Georgetown Hoyas were a close second with 17 wins and 4 losses, including a 2-1 record against the home team. Mike Callahan, head coach of the Hoyas said of the event, “Charleston did a great job organizing and running the Bavier. The conditions were very tricky with lots of wind shifts, velocity changes and strong current. All the races were close and I’m happy that we were able to pull out some wins on the last beat but we have a lot of work to do if we are to qualify for the National Championships.” The US Naval Academy finished third while the Dartmouth College Big Green rounded out the final four. Clearly a great start to the major team race season.
The inaugural ODU Women’s Interconference was sailed at Old Dominion University. The Yale University Bulldogs were the victors of this event with 89 total points. “ODU stepped up and created a much needed quality early season women’s interconference regatta. The Bulldogs are proud to win the inaugural event after a great back and forth battle with the Charleston Cougars. “Although it was quite cold, the Monarchs did a great job running a flawless event,” said Yale Coach, Bill Healy. Charleston finished second overall with 91 total points. First year skippers won both divisions; Yale’s Louisa Nordstrom (‘20) and Isabelle Rossi De Leon (‘17) dominated A-Division with 28 points. Charleston’s Alie Toppa (‘20) with Annabel Carrigan (‘19) and Caroline Bracken (‘19) tandeming the crew spot, finished first in B-Division with 47 points.
Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges won the GW Team Race with a 13-2 record while Jacksonville University won the Eckerd Interconference with 77 total points.
Youth Sailor of the Year Charlotte Rose 2nd at Laser Midwinters East!
Charlotte Rose, recently crowned the S1D/KO Sailing Youth Sailor of the Year, continues to impress, recently finishing 2nd overall at the Laser Midwinters East. Wow, what a great accomplishment!!! As much as we’d like to think our award spurred Charlotte on, we know she’s been working toward finishes like this for a long time. Go Charlotte!!
TOP 25 Regatta results FULL RESULTS HERE
Pos,Sail, Skipper, Yacht Club, Results, Total Points
1. 210685, JOSEPH HOU[B1][Y2][G], NHYC/ABYC, 3-1-1-2-11-1-4-1-9-13- ; 33
2. 211540, Charlotte Rose[Y1][Y2][G], Houston Yacht Club, 3-3-13-9-3-2-2-3-10-16- ; 48
3. 195664, Carrson Pearce[Y1][B2][G], LYC/SCYC, 1-1-15-1-16-4-5-13-30-1- ; 57
4. 207144, Chase Carraway[Y1][Y2][G], Lauderdale Yacht Club/ CYC-NC, 2-2-23-3-4-6-1-16-6-19- ; 59
5. 208574, Hallie Schiffman[Y1][B2][G], Lauderdale Yacht Club, 5-4-20-6-12-5-3-15-14-4- ; 68
6. 209313, Sophia Reineke[Y1][B2][G], Lauderdale Yacht Club, 10-16-5-9-8-6-6-8-25-6- ; 74
7. 157851, LEO BOUCHER[B1][B2][G], Severn Sailing Associatoin, 2-2-11-7-7-12-14-14-12-17- ; 81
8. 210636, Talia Toland[B1][Y2][G], Royal Vancouver Yacht Club/Seattle Yacht Club, 8-12-5-10-25-4-28-6-16-3- ; 89
9. 206111, Luke Arnone[B1][B2][G], MYC/CERT, 29-35-20-8-3-1-10-11-11-2- ; 95
10. 208049, Hanne Weaver[B1][B2][G], SYC,RVYC, 11-13-14-2-2-52/UFD-8-12-31-9- ; 102
11. 198678, Corinne Peters[B1][B2][G], RNSYS, 16-5-2-13-15-8-24-4-20-25- ; 107
12. 204109, Ricky Welch[B1][Y2][G], Long Beach Yacht Club/GCYSA, 10-9-3-1-10-52/UFD-7-18-46-8- ; 112
13. 196117, David PEREZ[Y1][B2][G], Coconut Grove Sailing Club, 7-6-9-34-9-10-20-32-2-18- ; 113
14. 177265, Connor Nelson[B1][Y2][G], DIYC, 7-10-27-6-2-3-12-27-40-22- ; 116
15. 196834, Dana Rohde[Y1][B2][G], Coast Guard Academy, 20-17-7-4-1-9-29-36-1-42/SVA*- ; 124
16. 193347, Ryan Anderson[Y1][B2][G], Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, 14-10-45-16-5-2-11-7-44-16/SVA*- ; 125
17. 210105, Maura Dewey[Y1][Y2][G], RVYC, 12-11-11-5-1-52/UFD-26-23-13-26- ; 128
18. 195429, Carrter Pearce[B1][B2][G], SCYC / LYC, 4-6-4-14-35-14-17-34-4-38- ; 132
19. 209688, Cameron Giblin[Y1][B2][G], SSYC, 35-19-1-5-4-3-9-31-29-45- ; 136
20. 209338, Malcolm Benn Smith[B1][Y2][G], SPBC, 1-3-12-28-19-14-22-38-27-15- ; 141T
21. 206054, Marcus Huttunen[Y1][Y2][G], MBYC/SDYC/GCYSA, 11-8-3-8-7-10-33-28-50-33- ; 141T
22. 209349, Lillian Myers[B1][Y2][G], SYSP/Gulf Coast Youth Sailing Assn, 15-52/RET-13-4-5-5-16-21-41-27- ; 147
23. 197044, Carly Broussard[B1][Y2][G], none, 22-7-6-13-9-19-18-19-37-36- ; 149
24. 203632, Coralie Vittecoq[Y1][B2][G], Hudson Yacht Club, 22-9-39-12-52/RET-11-15-9-7-28- ; 152
25. 206614, Christian Ehrnrooth[Y1][Y2][G], LYC, 16-18-16-52/RET-8-7-32-44/SVA*-3-14- ; 158
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 pants for 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.
College Sailing kicks off its Spring Season!
College Sailing kicks off the Spring Season! Boston University Terriers charge to the win at College of Charleston Women’s Regatta, the UCSB Gauchos pull out a gritty win over Stanford at the McIntyre Team Race, and the USF Bulls won the Mendleblatt Team Race at home. For full details visit (link to article on collegesailing.org)
February 26, 2017- The functional opener for the college sailing season was quite the success. Many teams made the annual pilgrimage south to compete in the palm-tree filled, warm weather that February can present in South Florida and Charleston.
College Sailing kicks off its Spring Season!
College of Charleston ran the Charleston Women’s Interconference Regatta. One of the warm-ups to the spring National Championships, this edition of the regatta was filled with quality women’s teams. The Cooper River sailed as it typically does this time of year; choppy, light to medium with the current being a major factor. Boston University came away with the victory, scoring 100 points after 10 races in both A and B division. Brown University and Stanford University finished second with 114 and third with 115 points respectively. Maeve White and Meg Gerli of Stanford University won A division with 38 points while Margaret Kilvert and the combined effort of, Audrey Giblin, Mia Steck and Lisa Genthner of Dartmouth College won B division with 45 points. “We were happy to get all of our women sailing this weekend,” said Dartmouth Assistant coach Ali Blumenthal, “It was one of our goals going into this regatta. Peggy, Mia and Lisa had a great run in B and it was great to see first year Audrey Giblin contribute to the divisional win with the last four races of a 4, 2,1,1.”
The Mendelblatt Team Race, hosted by South Florida, helped to kick off the college team race season. Six teams competed in the event and five full round-robins were completed. The host school, University of South Florida, won the event with a 20-5 overall record. Eckerd College finished a close second with a 19-6 record. Brian Clancy, head coach of Cornell Sailing, said of the event, “The Mendelblatt was a fantastic event… perfect team race conditions and a great early season tune-up. USF did a great job with race management, we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.”
Photo provided by Brian Clancy
Elsewhere in the conference, University of South Carolina won the USC Gamecock Invitational with 33 points in 8 races in both A and B division.
The other Interconference Team Race held last weekend was the McIntye Team Race, hosted by Stanford University. Eight teams showed up for the event. 2 full round robins as well as a final four were sailed. Stanford University, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of Hawaii and University of California at Berkeley qualified for the final four. Stanford University and University of California at Santa Barbara finished tied at 15 wins and 2 losses with Santa Barbara winning the tie breaker going 2-1 in 3 tight races against the host school, Stanford. Stanford Assistant Coach, Clinton Hayes said, “Tight racing at the top!” This was clearly the case and could be something to look forward to in future PCCSC team race regattas. Perhaps there is a new force stepping forward on the West Coast.
