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Airwaves Career Center Spotlight: Coral Reef Yacht Club

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Interested in joining one of the top and most active youth sailing programs in the country? Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami, Fl is looking for a year-round opti coach to join an accomplished and tenured staff. CRYC hosts sailors of all ages and abilities, as well as the annual Orange Bowl Regatta. Additionally, this extensive program has a robust fleet of 40 C420s, 60 Optimists, and 10 coach boats.

Responsibilities include:

  • Reporting directly to the Clubs Waterfront Director and the Head Opti Coach.
  • Acting as a versatile team player who can teach at all levels, especially with our continually improving race fleet.
  • Coaching team and individual sailing skills; developing the potential, drive, and confidence and energy in the club and local community level.
  • Providing sailors with an “on water” experience appropriate to their level of experience, age, and weather conditions.
  • Creating and maintaining a developmental competitive race environment with a fun team spirit.
  • Managing risks and being aware of safety issues related to sailing and racing.
  • Designing and operating an effective safety program at sea, and on land, taking responsibility for maintaining instructor/student safety ratios.
  • Ensuring that compliance with the regulations is governed by the following: CRYC Policies, safety Standards and Guidelines, CRYC Policies and Operational Procedures, governmental and affiliated organization regulations and standards.
  • Developing and teaching a program of sailing for all levels of experience consistent with the existing sailing program.
  • Consulting with sailing crew on materials and methods of instruction to ensure consistency in off-water skills seminars.
  • Partnering with other staff to provide leadership and guidance to sailors to enable full participation of club teams in regattas and other events.
  • Driving new participation in RWB and C420 Teams.
  • Transporting equipment trailers to regattas in conjunction with other coaches as needed.

For more details on how to apply for the job and qualifications needed, visit the posting on our job board here.

The State of Youth Sailing in America: An Interview with John Pearce

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By S1D Writer Tate Theodorsen

Youth sailing has long been a vibrant and evolving aspect of the sport, but it now faces new challenges and opportunities as the landscape shifts. To explore these dynamics, we spoke with John Pearce, Youth Racing Director at US Sailing. With decades of experience as a sailor, coach, and leader, Pearce offers invaluable insights into the trends shaping youth sailing, US Sailing’s initiatives to foster talent, and the evolving pathways available to young competitors.

Building a Foundation: Pearce’s Sailing Journey

John Pearce’s passion for sailing began on the cold waters of the Finger Lakes in Ithaca, New York. “It’s a great place to grow up sailing, although the season is short,” he recalls. Pearce spent his youth racing Optimists and Lasers before competing at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where his love for the sport deepened.

After transitioning from competitor to coach, Pearce worked with elite collegiate programs at Stanford, Dartmouth, and George Washington University. “Coaching became my focus,” he shares, reflecting on how these experiences shaped his vision for sailor development. Today, as US Sailing’s Youth Racing Director, Pearce leads initiatives like clinics, championships, and the newly launched US Youth National Team. His mission? To give young sailors the tools and opportunities to realize their competitive potential while building the foundation for lifelong involvement in the sport.

Trends Shaping Youth Sailing

Youth sailing in America is evolving rapidly. Popular boat classes like the Optimist, ILCA (Laser), and 420 continue to attract strong national participation, and there’s growing diversity in the types of boats sailors compete in. This variety, Pearce explains, is vital for developing well-rounded sailors. “Learning to master different boats and conditions builds versatile skills that translate to higher levels of competition.”

However, these national trends have their downsides. Local and regional sailing   are shrinking as many young sailors focus on national and international events. “Local fleets are smaller than they used to be,” Pearce admits. While elite-level regattas provide exciting opportunities, the decline in grassroots participation risks alienating beginners and families who may not have the time or resources to compete on larger stages.

US Sailing recognizes this challenge. “We’re working to strengthen grassroots programs by sharing best practices among clubs and regional associations,” Pearce says. Efforts like the annual Sailing Leadership Forum bring stakeholders together to foster collaboration and ensure local programs remain vibrant. By creating welcoming environments for new sailors, US Sailing hopes to reignite enthusiasm for regional events while maintaining the allure of national competition.

Beyond competition, Pearce emphasizes the importance of camaraderie in youth sailing. “Regattas are more than just races,” he says. “They’re where sailors connect, learn from each other, and form lifelong friendships.”

Strengthening Pathways to Elite Competition

For young sailors aspiring to collegiate or international success, US Sailing has created a more transparent pathway through initiatives like the US Sailing Youth National Team. “We’ve worked to make the system clearer and more accessible,” Pearce explains. Sailors who excel at events like class midwinters or national championships can earn a spot on the team, giving them access to top-tier coaching and international competition.

But while these programs create opportunities for elite sailors, they also highlight an ongoing challenge: balancing the resources devoted to high-performance racing with the need to support grassroots development. Pearce acknowledges this tension, noting that US Sailing’s role is often to “pave the road, not create new ones,” ensuring that existing pathways are efficient and accessible.

The Role of Regattas in Skill Development

Regattas are the cornerstone of youth racing, providing young athletes with invaluable opportunities to test their skills in real-world conditions. “Racing develops everything from boat handling and tactical decision-making to mental resilience,” Pearce explains. These events also teach life skills like time management, teamwork, and adaptability—qualities that benefit sailors long after they leave the water.

Despite their importance, regattas can be intimidating for newcomers due to logistical and financial barriers. “Local and regional regattas are the foundation, and while US Sailing can’t be at every local event, we can help with increasing the number of trained race officials and instructors, and sharing best practices with organizers, programs, and parents. Regattas need to be safe and fun, first and foremost, and that will keep sailors coming back”, Pearce says.

Sailing Towards the Future

As youth sailing navigates a rapidly changing world, US Sailing is positioning itself as a leader in fostering talent and broadening access to the sport. By creating opportunities for sailors to compete, grow, and connect—whether at local regattas or national championships—the organization is helping to secure a bright future for American sailing.

But challenges remain. Addressing the decline in local fleets, making elite programs accessible to all, and fostering diversity in participation are critical for the sport’s long-term health. Pearce is optimistic: “There’s a place for every sailor to thrive—whether they’re racing Optis, transitioning to college sailing, or exploring new avenues like wingfoiling.”

For young sailors, the message is clear: the racecourse is open, and the possibilities are endless. With the right balance of innovation, support, and community, youth sailing can continue to inspire the next generation.

 

Airwaves Career Center Spotlight: Wayzata Sailing Education & Race Director

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Wayzata Sailing is seeking an Education & Race Instruction Director to join full-time, year round, beginning in February of 2025. The ideal candidate will be energetic, hard-working, and organized with a passion for teaching the next generation of sailors. Responsibilities include coaching during the fall and spring high school sailing seasons in addition to summer racing or instructional programs during the summer. Wayzata Sailing is the perfect place for flexibility, providing an opportunity to develop sailing programs alongside your interests.

Wayzata Sailing and the Mike Plant Community Boathouse are located just 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. The sailing center is host to an expansive fleet and is built on the principles of making sailing a more accessible sport as a 501c3 non-profit.

Job Responsibilities:
  1. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY
    Manage racing programs and equipment in a manner that enriches the community and carries out the organization’s mission.
  2. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
    1. Act as a head coach for all HS teams, Racing Teams including creation of daily lesson plans & curriculum
    2. Facilitate curriculum implementation under guidance of Director
    3. Provide guidance and lesson planning assistance to seasonal staff members
    4. Communicate respectfully to (and when discussing) parents, students, other employees, community members, and board members.
    5. Travel to, organize, and support as coach at selected racing events
    6. Keep current on policies, rules, and schedules for MISSA/ISSA, MCSA/ICSA, MSS, and US Sailing.
    7. Promote WS within the community through active participation
    8. Coordinate content for social media outlets. (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
    9. Maintain equipment required for sailing, teaching, and support of coaching duties
    10. Support outreach and racing events hosted by the organization
    11. Work with other full time staff developing and managing community partnerships
    12. Help coordinate volunteers for travel and hosted regattas
    13. Assist with marketing, advertising and brand development
    14. Assist Executive Director in event management and fundraising events when required
    15. Supervise assigned staff

For more information on position benefits, compensation, and application details, visit our internal posting here.

Airwaves Career Center Spotlight: Lake Lanier Sailing Club

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Lake Lanier Sailing Club in Flowery Branch, GA is looking for a year-round sailing director/head sailing coach. This person will be responsible for the LLSC adult and junior learn to sail, junior camps, and race team coaching programs. Additionally, the successful management of these programs will foster member satisfaction encourage non-members to join LLSC.

Specific program responsibilities include:

  • Plan and execute the current 3 week long Junior sailing program including hiring, training and supervising camp sailing instructors in conjunction with the club member Junior Program Director and Parent Board
  • Organize and conduct Spring and Fall junior racing and learn to sail programs for members and nonmembers for local Middle, High School and home-schooled junior sailors with the goal of encouraging the development of High School Sailing Team(s).
  • Manage and instruct Adult and Women on the water learn to sail programs for members and nonmembers, through group or private lessons
  • Promote, organize and coach junior sailing race team competing in local travel regattas
  • Promote sailing events on weekly basis to the membership and other constituents as appropriate via email and social media
  • Work with the Vice-Commodore, Rear Commodore and Club Property Manager to make sure the racing program equipment and  facilities are prepared for the five major club events
  • Manage and maintain the club fleet of RC boats, C420s, Optis and Flying Scots so that they are ready for Learn-to-Sail, recreational, and racing use, with club member support and external vendors as needed
  • Work toward a goal over the next year or two to develop, market and hire staff for water activity summer camps for up to an additional 3-4 weeks depending on demand

For more details on compensation and how to apply, visit the S1D job posting here.

Zig Sailing Insider: Simplify Your Sailing Logistics!!

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S1D is pleased to have Zig Sailing Insider join our team!! Welcome!!!

Zig Sailing Insider is a membership-based platform founded by veteran sailor Elizabeth Kratzig in 2024. With over a decade of experience running a luxury travel agency, Elizabeth recognized the growing need for specialized regatta logistics support for sailors.

Zig Sailing Insider offers curated insights into more than 60 sailing destinations worldwide, complemented by personalized services. Wherever your next regatta takes you, think of the Insider as your trusted local guide, delivering up-to-date, sailor-focused travel information. By leveraging our agency’s extensive global travel network and deep connections within the sailing community, we provide the latest travel intelligence crafted specifically for sailors.

Membership benefits include:

  • Venue Guides for over 60 destinations, with valuable information geared specifically for sailors
  • Priority bookings for travel and accommodations
  • Exclusive perks from leading sailing sponsors
  • A monthly Sailing Insider newsletter
  • Access to exclusive interviews with top professional sailors and regatta organizers Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a sailing enthusiast, Zig Sailing Insider ensures you’re always prepared to navigate the world of regattas with ease and confidence.

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