We at Sømand believe sailing is an incredible sport and a special way of life that is meant for everyone to enjoy. Sailing offers endless learning, self-exploration, an escape into the wonders of nature, and an indescribable sense of freedom. There is never a wrong time to start sailing and you are never too late to start learning!
The American Sailing Association has many helpful online resources as well as 400+ afflicted sailing schools located in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Central America, and Asia. They offer varying levels from beginner to advanced courses.
Visit the American Sailing Association website where you can:
Now what else are you waiting for? Go get out on the water! :)
]]>I’m excited to share that by the time you read this, I will be living in Barcelona and working as a Mechatronics Engineer for American Magic. I’m pumped to be joining this team and immersing myself in the America’s Cup that combines sailing and engineering at the highest levels. I know I’ll learn a tremendous amount and I can’t wait to get started. In the meantime, I’d like to share a recap of the most important sailing event for me this year: the recent 2023 Wetsuit Outlet and Zhik Moth World Championship which came and went like the wind…well, kind of.
Due to a lack of wind and therefore lack of racing, on the trip home I had a strange feeling of emptiness and disbelief, mixed with gratitude and still raring to go, as if it hasn’t even started yet. We were only able to complete two races per qualifying fleet (two fleets of 64 boats) in seven days. The cruel part is that we had great conditions for over two weeks before the Worlds, and then a terribly unlucky week-long window for the Worlds. It was almost always under 7 knots for a week straight. The days of waiting on shore, starting at 6:30 am in the boat park, and going out to try and start a race all blended together. I finished 36th/128 overall and top female. However, due to the four-race minimum to constitute a World Championship, the event did not count as a Worlds!
I was really glad to have two weeks of boat work and training – mostly boat work! – before the event. The UK Open, held a couple of days before the Worlds, provided us with five races to tune up for the main event. This regatta showed me that I needed to work on my starts, and that my speed was good.
One highlight was the Women’s and Youth clinic that was held before the UK Open. Lining up for speed tuning and drills with the other female sailors was super fun and we were all buzzing. I can’t wait for more of that! The lowlight was breaking a tiller in a tack when the mainsheet got wrapped around my ankle, just 10 minutes into a practice session the day before the UK Open, and after several 12-hour days of a little sailing and lot of boat work!
Since we only had two races, I’ll go into a bit of detail on each. They both had great moments and both had one big mistake. In the first race of Worlds, I came off the foils in a gybe just before the start. I was able to get foiling just after the start, but most of the fleet was already way ahead. However, with some solid, disciplined strategic decisions and good speed I overtook almost 40 boats to finish 18th. I was able to capitalize on the catch-up opportunities presented by the bottom of the course (gate mark and finish) being so light that boats fell off the foils (including me).In the second race, I realized the boat end of the start line would be crowded and therefore risky. With just over two minutes to go, I made the decision to start on port. All I had to do was make all of my gybes and time my final approach well. I started on port at the pin with speed, and was able to go to the favored right side. I had good speed and foiling tacks, rounded the leeward gate in the top 15. I should have over stood the gate marks but did not, so I had to do another gybe and round the right hand gate to stay foiling. I thought I saw pressure on the left side of the course along the harbor wall, but it never came, so once I tacked onto port, I had to low-ride (not foiling) almost all the way to starboard layline. Brutal! About ten boats passed me from that bad decision, so I finished 25th.
While waiting for wind, the women in the fleet gathered for a chat on several topics. These badass sailors all have different paths to Moth sailing and they all inspire me. We all shared some thoughts on Moth sailing and how to get started, check it out the conversation here.
Something I am proud of is my adaptation to new gear just before the event. I only had a couple of days of sailing before Worlds to adjust to using a new Quantum H1M mainsail, short (foil) verticals, and a Bieker V8 main foil. My experience over the past couple of years in setting up and trying different gear, and learning how to get it dialed quickly is starting to pay off! I was able to adjust my technique and make the boat fast without much prep time.
I’d like to thank the UK International Moth Class Association, the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, the event organizers, the many volunteers, the race committee, and the event sponsors. I know this week was just as strange and frustrating for them as for the competitors. A big thank you goes to the St Francis Sailing Foundation for the support to attend Worlds, and to my sponsors Ronstan and Vakaros. I love Moth sailing for all the following reasons and am excited to be part of the international Moth community:
Follow me in Barcelona on instagram @helenas9.
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Authored by experienced liveaboard Australian sailors, Catherine Lawnson and David Bristow The Hunter & The Gatherer is a comprehensive guide to planning and preparing delicious meals for any sailing adventure.
The book draws upon their 20-year experience living on five different yachts. With over 160 recipes and more than 60 pages of provisioning advice, The Hunter & The Gatherer is a great resource for any sailor looking to up their culinary game on the high seas.
The book also includes extensive notes on provisioning your yacht and preparing your galley, as well as advice on dealing with seasickness and the mishaps of sailing life.
The Hunter & The Gatherer is available for purchase and can be ordered from exploringedenbooks.co .Be sure to use code SOMAND for 15% off your purchase!
Makes 8 • Prep 5 mins + Marinading time • Cook 10 mins
Make this with the last of the salmon (or any other fillet of firm fish). It’s quick to pull off, super tasty and makes a cool little sideliner to chilled ales at sundown. Make a meal out of these by cooking a crisp vegetable stir-fry and serving with steamed rice.
Take the skin off the salmon and slice it into 8 cubes. Mix the tamari, rice malt syrup (or honey), pickled ginger and peanut oil, toss in the salmon cubes, and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Toast the sesame seeds and set aside. Warm a little oil in a frying pan over medium heat and pan-fry the salmon pieces for about 2 minutes on each side. Serve sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.
Feeds 4 • Prep 5 mins • Cook 15 mins
Serve with steamed rice or crusty bread (gluten-free if required).
Cut the fish into bite-sized cubes. Combine half the coconut cream and the fish stock in a large pan over medium heat. Stir in the tomatoes, onion and all seasonings. Bring to a boil, add the fish, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the remaining coconut cream to the pot, stir, and then take off the heat. Remove the bay leaves, then serve with crusty bread or steamed rice.
Makes 12-14 • Prep 5 mins • Cook 10 mins
Serve with whole egg mayonnaise mixed with dill and capers.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (except the oil) and mix well. Use clean hands to form the mixture into small patties (about 1/4 cup each). Heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and cook the fish bites in two batches, turning, for 4-5 minutes each. Drain on a wire rack. Season 1/3 cup of whole egg mayonnaise with finely chopped capers and fresh dill and serve with the fish bites.
Thank you for reading, wishing you all fair winds and following seas!
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How to Hone Your Mental Resilience
Taking care of your mind is crucial to your overall wellness and ability to compete in the challenging sport of sailing. Here are a few habits Sailing Olympian Nikki Barnes uses to keep her anxiety at bay and find a spot of calm during her busy day.
💙Coffee/Tea Time: Put aside one hour of your day to unplug from all your devices. Enjoy a nice warm beverage and take this time to center yourself and focus your attention on a set of goals for yourself. It is recommended to map out what you want to focus on the night before.
💙Journaling: When worry thoughts abound, it can be helpful to write them down. Rather than letting them swirl around in your head, put them on the page. Then you can tackle them one by one.
💙Meditation: Try to make 10 minutes of meditation part of your regular daily routine. Whether sitting up in a comfortable chair or laying down on a yoga mat, take this important time for yourself to recharge your mind.
💙Use Blue Light Blocker Glasses: Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to keeping stress levels down. If you plan on using technology close to bedtime it’s best to use blue light-blocking glasses. Otherwise falling asleep may be harder than you would like.
Exercise Tips for Strength & Endurance (Pregnant Friendly)
Exercise Tips for Strength & Endurance (Train Like an Olympic Athlete)
Set a goal or intention for your workout, to boost your motivation. Nikki often makes her intention to finish the workout.
Start Off With These Great Warm-Up Exercises
Moving Into the Full Body Workout, Begin With Pushups
To see this workout in action, check out this video on Nikki’s Barnes YouTube Channel.
Core Strengthening Exercises
Keeping your core strong is crucial to doing anything active. It creates a stable platform for you while lifting, whether on land or in the boat. The way to achieve a strong core is through a good routine and consistency.
Here’s Nikki’s Favorite Core Workout
Pyramid Abs:
🌶 50 Crunches
🌶 40 Russian Twists per side
🌶 30 Rowers
🌶 20 Bicycle Crunches
🌶 10 Jackknife sit-ups (or substitute with a 1-minute plank)
To see this workout in action visit Nikki’s Instagram Post
Last Words of Advice for Getting in Sailing Shape:
Before starting a workout routine, make sure you set clear intentions and goals for yourself. For the best results, try making your goals SMART.
🌟 Specific
🌟Measurable
🌟Achievable
🌟Relevant
🌟Time-Bound
By using the SMART goals, you will be able to maximize your time and be less likely to overwhelm yourself. When working out try to keep your thoughts in the present moment as much as possible. Working out can be a form of meditation too. Try to be kind to yourself, ask your body how it is feeling, and encourage yourself to face your fears and strive to do your best. It’s not always easy to keep your mind in the now but remember, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift that’s why they call it the present.” - Eleanor Roosevelt.
For more tips from Sailing Olympian Nikki Barnes, make sure to follow her @nikolepbarnes on Instagram & YouTube
]]>When you're getting ready to sail, it's important to expect the unexpected. What does that mean?
While you might want to arrive on time and leave as soon as sailing is through, we have some better suggestions for you:
Sailing can be stressful, explained best by Olympic Sailor Nikki Barnes, "Sailing is like playing chess on the water with multiple players while getting sprayed in the face with a fire hose." Here are some useful tips on how to communicate to avoid confusion & frustration on the water:
For more information on how to communicate with your crew check out US Sailing's Crewing: Raising Your Game With Soft Skills article.
Sailing is a mental game as much as it is physical. When racing, try to stay calm as much as possible and do your best not to argue on the water.
Australian sailor Lisa Blair started sailing when she was 25 years old. After learning about solo sailors such as Kay Cottee, Lisa became inspired to be a solo sailor herself. As of today, she has accomplished many incredible feats in sailing. Two of her most well-known achievements include being the fastest person and the first woman to sail around Australia and Antarctica non-stop, solo, and unassisted. Alongside breaking world records Lisa Blair has also been fighting to improve the environment through her campaign Climate Action Now and contributing to citizen science.
French Sailor, Clarisse Cremer was first introduced to sailing during childhood vacations with her grandparents. Her desire to race offshore grew from her time supporting her partner Tanguy Le Turquais during his sailing in the Mini Transat in 2013 and 2015. Clarisse loved seeing the sailors sharing in adventure and longed to experience it for herself. In 2017, she competed solo for the first time on the Mini Transat.
Following her success in this race, Banque Populaire invited her to skipper their IMOCA (International Monohull Open Class Association) project. In 2021, Clarisse completed the Vendée Globe in only 87 days breaking the record for the fastest solo non-stop female global circumnavigation, previously held for over 20 years by Ellen MacArthur, who completed it in 94 days in the 2000-2001 Vendée Globe. Clarisse came in 12th overall in the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe and was the first female to complete that year's race.
British sailor, Jeanne Socrates started sailing at the age of 48. She started out in dinghies and windsurfers before sailing larger yachts. She spent years sailing with her husband around the world until his passing in March 2003 due to cancer. Ten years later after years of sailing alone and two attempts to circumnavigate the world non-stop Jeanne finally succeeded.
On July 8th, 2013 at age 70, Jeanne Socrates became the first woman to sail around solo and non-stop to and from North America as well as the oldest woman to circumnavigate the world solo, non-stop, and unassisted. But, Jeanne did not stop there, at age 77 she completed another single-handed non-stop circumnavigation--cementing her place in history as the oldest person to complete this journey.
British sailor Ellen MacArthur’s passion for sailing began when she was just 4 years old. By age 18, she had earned her yachtmaster and instructor qualifications and in 1995 she won the Young Sailor of the Year Award for sailing solo around Great Britain. From a young age she was determined to sail the world, and in the 2000 Vendée Globe race she accomplished just that and broke records in doing so. Finishing the race 2nd overall and 1st as a female, Ellen MacArthur became the fastest woman to ever circumnavigate the globe at the time. On top of that, at the young age of 24 Ellen became the youngest person to complete this voyage.
Rather than retire with these already impressive records, Ellen went on to challenge the record for the fastest non-stop solo voyage around the world, held at the time by sailor Francis Joyon. In 2005, she achieved her goal and became the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe with a time of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds. She also became only the second person to accomplish the voyage on a multi-hull boat. In honor of her achievements Ellen was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE).
British sailor Tracy Edwards learned how to sail at the age of 17. After getting expelled from school at 15, Tracy set out to travel the world and began doing so while working on charter yachts in Greece. In 1985, at age 23, she took part in her first Whitbread Round the World Race as a cook. Being on this boat Tracy became the first woman to race around the world on a Maxi. But, being on the boat was not enough, Tracy longed to navigate and knew at that time no man would let her. So in 1989 she entered the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Race on a ship called Maiden.
In 1990, Tracy made history as the first female skipper of the first all female crew to sail around the world. They won two legs of the race and came in 2nd in class overall. This was the best result for a British boat since 1977 and the best result for an all-female crew. In honor of her achievements, Tracy was awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire) and became the first woman to be awarded Yachtsman of the Year Trophy. Years later, following more record breaking accomplishments, Tracy founded The Maiden Factor Foundation, a funding project that empowers girls through education.
Australian Sailor, Kay Cottee's interest in sailing started as a child. She often sailed with her father and helped him build yachts. At age 11, she started ocean racing and by age 34 she had embarked on her journey to sail solo around the world. In 1988, after sailing roughly 22,000 nautical miles over 189 days, on an 11-meter yacht she mainly built herself, she became the first woman to complete a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe. Kay Cottee was awarded the Order of Australia for this achievement.
New Zealander sailor, Naomi James was born on a sheep farm and did not learn how to swim until the age of 23. Five years later, with only a few months of sailing experience under her belt, she went after her dream of sailing single-handedly around the world. On September 9th, 1977, Naomi finished her voyage and became the first woman to circumnavigate the world solo via the three Great Capes: Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and the Feared Cape Horn. This journey took her 272 days and broke the previous record set by Sir Francis Chichester. In honor of this astonishing feat, Naomi James was made Dame Commander of the British Empire.
Polish Sailor, Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz started sailing as a child and obtained her captain's license at the age of 30. She was also a talented naval architect who studied ship construction engineering at the Gdańsk University of Technology. In 1975, she was chosen by the Polish Sailing Association to attempt the first solo circumnavigation of the world by a woman. In April of 1978, Krystyna completed her 401-day circumnavigation of the world solo. Unfortunately, because she completed it via the Panama Canal the World Sailing Speed Record Council did not recognize this feat. She did however win numerous other accolades, including the highest Polish Sailing Award the Silver Sextant.
Said best by a pioneer in yachting and one of the first people to sail around the world—Annie Van De Wiele, "The art of the sailor is to leave nothing to chance." Sailing is the original extreme sport; sailors must always be ready to expect the unexpected. Whether you're still learning the ropes or competing against 100 teams at once—knowing what to wear makes all the difference. Mastering the art of layering is the key to protecting sailors from the everchanging elements on the water. Stay dry, warm, and ready to tackle your goals with these layering tips for sailing:
Layer #1: Base Layer
The first layer, the base layer, is closest to your skin and plays a vital role in regulating your body temperature and moisture. The goal of any good layering system is to keep you comfortable longer. A good base layer should absorb your sweat to avoid exhaustion, overheating, or hypothermia. By wicking moisture away from your skin the base layer keeps you dry, warm, and ready to keep sailing. The best fabrics to accomplish this are merino wool or polyester.
Sømand's Do's and Don'ts for Base Layers:
➡Do stay cool, dry, and comfortable on the water with base layers made from breathable moisture-wicking fabrics like merino wool or polyester. Consider using a UV protective base layer for warmer days.
➡Don't choose cotton, as it retains moisture and will likely leave you damp and chilly.
Layer #2: Mid Layer
The second layer, the mid layer, should provide warmth and insulation while maintaining freedom of movement and breathability. It can be worn as a standalone jacket or layered under a waterproof jacket. Usually, the mid-layer is made of fleece, down, or synthetic material. The type of fabric needed will vary depending on the planned activity level and the expected weather conditions.
Sømand's Do's and Don'ts for Mid Layers:
➡Do look for a jacket made of fleece, down, or synthetic material based on your insulation needs. Remember that the level of insulation needed will vary depending on sailing conditions.
➡Don't use more layers than you need to! One mid-layer over many is always better to maintain ease of movement.
Layer #3: Outer Layer
The third layer, the outer layer, is the final barrier between you and the elements. This layer should be waterproof and windproof to protect you from rain, wind, and ocean spray. Look for a jacket that balances waterproofing with breathability. A high waterproof rating with a breathable membrane will keep you dry and comfortable. A hood is also crucial for extra protection while sailing.
We created the Farallon Sailing Jacket as a versatile outer layer for inshore, coastal, and lighter offshore sailing.
Sømand's Do's and Don'ts for Outer Layers:
➡Do choose a jacket that's windproof, waterproof, and breathable. Consider using a Hi-vis hood for extra protection.
➡Don't choose a jacket without a hood.
Accessories: Adding the Final Touches to the Layering System
Aside from your base, mid, and outer layers, you'll always want to wear a life jacket. A hat, gloves, and neck gaiter can also be great to keep you warm and protected from the wind and waves. Sunglasses, especially polarized ones, are great for reducing glare and shielding your eyes from the sun. It's also good to choose shoes with durable grip and quick drying. Finally, a water-resistant bag to carry your other essentials is the last addition you don't want to miss.
Sømand's Do's and Don'ts for Accessories:
➡Do always wear a life jacket. Choose shoes with a durable grip that dry quickly. Consider using sunglasses, a hat, gloves, and a neck gaiter to get extra protection while on the water.
➡Don't forget a water-resistant bag!
"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm," - Willa Cather.
Now go out there and do great things! Remember it's all about the layers 😉
Here are 3 of the best sailing knots to know as a sailor according to the American Sailing Association!
For the full article including video tutorials check out their post here.
Bowline
The bowline is the king of sailing knots. It has been in use by sailors continuously for at least 500 years. Simply put, the bowline is way of turning the end of your line into a loop. Why is this useful? You can tie it around a post or other fixed object to make the line fast, or on smaller boats it is used fasten the halyard to the sail. It can also be used to tie two lines together. It has a number of practical uses as well, such as hanging a hammock. Under pressure the bowline tightens, so it won’t give way. However, note that it’s impossible to untie while bearing a load!
Clove Hitch
A clove hitch is an extremely useful and quick knot. It has the advantage of being very quick to tie and untie, but it doesn’t hold nearly as well as the bowline. On sailboats, one of its most common uses is hanging the fenders over the side as you come in to dock.
Cleat Hitch
This type of knot is designed especially for one purpose, and I bet you can guess what that is. If you said, “Making the line fast to a cleat,” you were correct. As you might imagine, this is used all the time on a sailboat, whether you’re docking, towing a dinghy, or rigging a preventer. Knowing how to do it will make you a much handier sailing companion!
Remember, practice makes perfect!
I had the boat for a couple years, we were planning on doing Pac Cup and figured if I was going to do that I should be able to sail the boat by myself. I started out slow by just going on little sails in the estuary. Then I began bringing the boat home solo from crewed races, playing around with self steering and figuring out how to gybe the spinnaker. Singlehanding is such a fun part of our sport, but I do have to remind myself to be careful all the time !
Are there any challenges you have faced as a woman in sailing? If yes, how did you overcome them?
As a woman there are many sailing challenges, for example there are times you feel like (or know you aren’t) strong enough to do a certain job on the boat. Those times suck, but there is not much you can do about it besides move to a position that suits you better. Do stuff that scares you. I didn’t take junior sailing and hadn’t skippered a boat before, but just had to start doing scary sh*t - like rounding crowded marks and doing starts not being sure where to put the boat. Just putting yourself in many years of challenging situations you start to get more and more comfortable. Surrounding yourself with great crew who can help you learn get you out of jams is also key.
What do you feel is the biggest difference between inshore vs offshore racing?
Offshore single handed racing is such a cool and interesting challenge. I have to tell myself to be careful and make different decisions than I would with a full crew - I love offshore racing. Inshore is also a really cool, hard & fun challenge (especially the one design fleets), but going offshore in little boats that just come alive in offshore conditions is such an awesome feeling.
Do you ever get scared?
Yes all the time! I had a major equipment issue right when I was finishing the [Singlehanded Farallones] Race the first time. The gooseneck bolt came out and the boom came off, I just had to stay calm and tell myself I knew what to do to fix it. I ended up being able to reattach the boom and finish the race all without taking the kite down. But that’s the best part of singlehanded sailing - all your failures are you and all your accomplishments are you! Make your own decisions!
What types of racing have you participated in and what format do you enjoy the most?
Basically I started racing by sailing on an express 37 Golden Moon with Kame Richards and Bill Bridge. That was such a fantastic experience getting to join a crew that works well together and has each other’s backs. you really learn quickly on a boat that has their sh*t together. I have mostly done buoy racing and ocean racing, but the most fun thing I’ve done is The Coastal Cup - we came in second, it was pretty epic! The breeze was up and it was an awesome experience! I’ve also done some crewed Hawaii races.
Are there any bucket list events and/or sails you want to do?
I really want to go on a Baja surf trip! Not a race, just a slow, relaxed, off the grid sail!
Do you have any advice for women that are nervous to take the helm?
It’s OK to be scared.
Do you have a favorite sailing memory or milestone that you’re proud of?
Yes, certainly competing in the Singlehanded Farallones Race, but also skippering the Pac Cup. Doing that was a really big deal & huge responsibility, I was in charge of my crew’s safety crossing an ocean! It was a lot of work and a great experience!
Final thoughts?
It would be cool to see more women skippers out there!
]]>After competing in the 49erFX women’s skiff at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and then campaigning in the foiling Nacra 17 catamaran for 18 months, Helena said that, “stopping that pursuit left a big hole in me that in some way I am still trying to fill, because I love sailing and that intensity so much.”
The Moth is a one-person, foiling dinghy and it is regarded as one of the most competitive sailing classes in the world, “99% of my sailing career has been in double-handed boats as a crew, so it has been really fun to be foiling, skippering, and back on a super steep learning curve. Sailing solo has been refreshing and pushed me to develop certain skills. It’s awesome to have a boat that is equally fun whether you’re racing or simply going sailing. The Moth was the perfect boat to put the fun back into sailing for me. There is no feeling like making a foiling tack or gybe.”
With a full-time work schedule, Scutt trained just about every weekend from January until shipping her boat to Worlds in August. “Compartmentalizing my life (instead of having one all-encompassing goal) is still a little weird to me, and I think that’s natural for anyone who is deeply driven and loves to challenge themselves.”
In September, Helena competed in her first Moth World Championship, in Malcesine (Lake Garda), Italy, finishing 80th overall and the 4th woman. Her worst races (discards) were the first two of the regatta which speaks to her improvement throughout the event. Overall, she was thrilled to compete and is excited to train hard for the next Worlds where her goal is to be in the Gold fleet (top half) and come out as the Women’s World Champion. Right on Helena! Here is her account of the event:
Even just comparing the first and second days of the qualifying series, I averaged almost 14 places better each race on the second day as I figured out starting in a big fleet, some nuances of the racecourse, and improved tactical decisions. I was so happy to be back racing in a big fleet again, it was such an awesome feeling. For the most part, racing skills that I feel like I haven’t used since Olympic campaigning came flooding back to me, “like riding a bike”. The regatta was split into two fleets so we had 71 boats on the course at once which made the starts intense.
The level of the fleet is so high, it’s impressive and inspiring. My gains will come from improving boat-handling (especially tacks), starts, and getting equipment better suited for a range of conditions. I’m really pleased with how much my starts improved during the event, because by the end I was getting clean starts at the pin. Moth starting is very different, even from other high-performance boats like the skiffs and Nacra17, because everyone is foiling and reaching down the line in a high-speed train well before the starting gun.
The Moth remains a developmental boat (loose rules allow for equipment innovation) and the class continues to push sailing forward, as Scutt describes;
"Lately most of the developments have been about reducing aero drag. It’s wild to think that just four years ago boats were going 16-17 knots upwind and now they’re doing 21-22 knots upwind (and 30+ knots downwind). I think Moths are the coolest boats on the planet, and the boats are so compelling and fun to sail that the Olympic and America’s Cup heroes make time in their schedules to train and race Moths, meaning that international events are a bunch of obsessed weekend-warriors lining up against some of the biggest names in sailing. It’s such a fun, genuine, helpful group, and I can’t wait to see how good we can get over the years together.”
The US Moth class, and particularly the West Coast group, held a Zoom debrief open to all US Moth sailors to maximize the lessons from the event and build a plan to best prepare us for the next Worlds;
"Despite all my training over the spring and summer, I must keep in mind that most of the sailors at the top of the fleet have been sailing Moths for the better part of a decade, and I have only done one season. The next Worlds is in Argentina in November 2022. We could have strong breeze and short, steep chop, so we’re looking forward to some Berkeley Circle training for that!”
In addition to serving on the Advisory Committee for the St Francis Sailing Foundation Scutt was recently elected Vice President of the International US Moth Class. At Moth Worlds, there have historically only been a handful of women, even in a regatta of 200+ boats. Out of 142 competitors at Worlds, 12 (8%) were women, which was a record-breaking year. Scutt is determined to increase women’s participation and success in the Moth because not only does it mean that more women sailors are enjoying the Moth, but also because representation matters in all niches of the athletic and professional worlds – especially in an international class as highly regarded as the Moth.
“The Moth is at the cutting-edge of sailing, and I want women to have the opportunity to be a bigger part of that!”
Helena looks forward to hosting Intro-to-Foiling clinics in the Moth and the Waszp in the coming year, to get more Moth sailors, and particularly women, introduced to the class.
[If you are an intermediate or advanced sailor & are interested in participating in a foiling clinic reach out to us at hello@somand.com]
Some of the changes the class has already made:
And it’s just the beginning!
Helena can’t wait to put what she’s learned into practice and keep training hard. Her inspiration to keep motivated and competing comes from all corners, from athletes in other sports such as Allyson Felix, Simone Biles, Kate Courtney, Alexi Pappas, Tia-Clair Toomey, as well as from friends and family;
“I’m inspired by my friends who double as Moth training partners (shoutout to Richard, Brooks, Dan, and Riley!), my coworkers, and my friends who are still Olympic campaigning. Also, I’m inspired by anyone who chases audacious goals and is true to themselves and kind to others along the way. Be brave, not perfect."
"I am so grateful to Sømand and to the St. Francis Sailing Foundation for its support of my racing at the 2021 Moth World Championships. Thank you!”
[If you are an intermediate or advanced sailor & are interested in participating in a foiling clinic reach out to us at hello@somand.com]
]]>Competing as an athlete for Tokyo 2020 was nothing short of incredible. I had heard that the regatta itself is miserable, the pressure is like nothing I’ve ever felt, and to expect my competitors and friends to become nasty. This wasn’t the truth I wanted to live and I work hard not to give into the complaint culture. So I made a promise to myself after our team won the trials that I would be present and enjoy the Olympic spirit - something I have been curious about for over a decade.
Truthfully, it takes much more than just deciding to show up positive and relaxed, so I leaned heavily on my performance coach, John Denney. He records a daily 15 minute meditation to the sunrise to create and instill habits; I listen each morning to reinforces the experiences I’m looking for and it allows me to visualize a good amount of the racing and interactions I have so I am already familiar with the scene when I live it!
One of the best experiences was attending the opening ceremony. We were given the option to go and I had enough time between opening and our first day of racing that I decided to go and tribute this ritual. We drove to the main village (because sailing was housed in a remote village near where we raced) and had the day to walk around and this is where I completely felt the Olympic spirit. Team USA marched third to last so we had a long time of walking behind stage, slowly winding back and forth while wearing jeans and blazers in the incredibly hot conditions. We didn’t care, we were all in it together! The 7 sailors who went to the opening collectively decided we wanted to be in the front row; picture you’re at a concert with about 250 strong and primed athletes and before you reach the stage you are all slowly walking in line all very curious to get to know each other while at the same time wanting to stay at the head of the line. Right before we marched out everyone chanted the traditional “USA, USA, USA…” I didn’t care that there was no crowd in the stands, this moment definitely fueled my fire!
The village we stayed at was actually a nice resort, and although we weren’t allowed to use any of the 6 pools we also didn’t sleep in the famed cardboard beds. There was a bus that brought us to and from the sailing venue in Enoshima each day where we made our home away from home. The unique and special part about racing the Olympics is that we worked and lived closely with all 13 USA sailors. Our base consisted of two air conditioned containers where we could relax, eat, see our team physiotherapists, take an ice bath, watch other classes race, or help our boat wright Donny fix whatever we might have broken!
There are a few details that stand out to me as being vastly different from any other event I’ve raced. First was the constant buzz of the helicopters above, they would launch before the first race of the day and not come home until the final race had finished, so I got very good at keeping the noise cancelling headphones at the ready. The other big adjustment was all of the regatta documents, the sailing alone had much more extensive paperwork with details such as branding and then we add in COVID protocols which included multiple apps with daily check ins, trackers and saliva tests, and finally all of the camera, microphone, accreditation and tracker details. We were no strangers to the concept of stating the obvious and running through our daily checklists! The last thing I want to point out was the starting line, I always put a lot of pressure on myself to make accurate time and distance calls and get the race clock just right, well the official timer of the games is Omega, so there was a massive digital clock counting down every second. I had seen this watching previous Olympic regattas, but it didn’t occur to me until I was on the starting line that I didn’t need to sync to flags or remember the order of the colored flags.
I had an amazing experience in Tokyo that I will carry with me forever, and the one thing that I know for sure is I am not finished yet. I knew this during our fifth day of racing, it’s something so distinct I felt in my gut that I have unfinished business and I absolutely love being an athlete and a sailor! I’ll finish with a quote I picked up in Tokyo, “Feel is who you are. It’s the way your heart beats, everyone’s heart beats a little different. Everyone has a little different feel. Feel is not something you find in a book, it’s something you find in what you do, whether it’s your instrument, your paintbrush, your pen, your boat… feel is being human.”
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Before I get thrown overboard for being a man doing a review of a woman’s sailing jacket it should be known that I am simply being a man who is doing what his wife is asking him to do. The sailing jacket review is really me taking dictation from my wife who is doing the heavy lifting on this review. My wife has been sailing for over 20 years. She can do anything I can do on a sailboat and she typically does. The only difference between her as a female and me as a male is that she sails with more patience, she never screams and she always looks good while doing it. Hence, when the sailors at Sømand asked me to look at their jacket as a female-specific brand I naturally asked my significant other.
This jacket was tested while sailing in Santa Monica Bay on days with varying conditions from a cool overcast day of 52 degrees to a sunny but cooler afternoon at 64 degrees. My wife also used the Sømand Farallon Sailing Jacket for a spring skiing trip on Mammoth Mountain, on a rainy hike around a few lakes in Minnesota, and for an outdoor dinner in between sessions in some very cold ice rinks.
It doesn’t bunch up in the armpits. This feature is of the utmost importance and typically jackets cut for men and worn by a woman have a lot of excess fabric. While working the lines this extra fabric tends to get in the way. The Sømand Farallon Jacket has solved that problem by cutting the jacket for women. The seams follow the natural curves of a woman allowing for greater performance. Crank a winch, pull a line, or trim a sail and the jacket moves with your body and not against it.
Ample space for layering but not bulky. If there is anything that is super important is staying warm but not being stuffy. While sailing on a very cool morning two layers felt comfortable. Initially, the fit felt too snug but the fabric stretches and allows for ample body movement while not compromising mobility. Again, there were two layers underneath as I tend to get cold. These features really were evident while skiing. Yes, it is a sailing jacket but when you spend money on a nice jacket you want to wear it as often as you can. My movements on the slope while different from sailing were just as fluid in the morning with multiple layers underneath as they were later in the day when the jacket served as a shell.
Pockets! Pockets are important for tissues, a phone, a snack, or for warm gloves. This jacket has four easily accessible pockets.
Overall the jacket is very slimming as it is cut for a woman. Yes, wearing a jacket that is flattering is important to me. I don’t need to wear a jacket that is designed for a man to feel like a sailor. I sail to feel like a sailor, my jacket should make me feel comfortable, warm, and effective for anything that I may need it for. In this case, I also want to look good in it. The jacket slims my waist and it gives me some hips! Thanks, Sømand.
The jacket keeps you dry and warm. While the jacket kept me dry and warm while sailing I was impressed by how it handled sideways rain during a freak shower in some very cold weather while out on a hike. Versatility is important and the Sømand Farallon Jacket proved to be up to the task of a hockey mom. The temperature dipped into the 40’s and the rain started so not only did it keep me dry but as I attempted to make it back to the trailhead in time for a hockey game it did not get swampy. The breathable mesh lining helps to keep your body from overheating while the outer layer keeps you dry.
A Gaiter! This is a feature that seems appropriate now but realistically I would use it under typical cool sailing conditions. This built-in feature is a lifesaver when you are the type of person who does get cold while out on a sunset sail. The gaiter also happens to work well during these strange times when face coverings are required.
Overall this jacket is now a mainstay on our weekly sails. From a man’s perspective, my wife looks good in it, however, she clearly enjoys its features as she wears it often even when not sailing. From a women’s perspective, “This sailing jacket feels like it was made for me.”
That says it all.
]]>How did you first discover Sailing and what attracted you to the sport?
I went to a sailing camp with my brother. He got into racing early on and once I realized all of the beautiful places to go in sailing, I joined the sport in Tampa, FL shortly after.
]]>I went to a sailing camp with my brother. He got into racing early on and once I realized all of the beautiful places to go in sailing, I joined the sport in Tampa, FL shortly after.
What types of racing have you participated in and what format do you enjoy the most?
Dinghies, team racing, keelboats and now just getting into offshore. Moving from Miami to SF Bay was an adjustment and I am grateful to participate in many types of racing formats.
Tell us about a favorite sailing memory you have or a milestone that you are proud of.
Starting the University of Miami womens’ team and making great friends. I was lucky to make friends throughout my sailing career and that is one of the best things about the sport.
We hear that you have recently purchased a Moore 24, tell us about your experience and what attracted you to the fleet?
COVID-19 shut down lots of crewed racing in the SF Bay and I wanted to get back on the water. The Moore 24 is attractive due to its versatility in many types of racing: shorthanded, offshore and buoy racing. We even take the boat cruising. The fleet is also very welcoming and happy to share tips. Lots of women are also active in the fleet and it’s been great getting to know them.
Have you been able to get out on the water during the pandemic? Any new hobbies you have discovered?
Yes, since we got the boat, we’ve done lots of sailing this year and most recently, Moore 24 Nationals. There are a few more regattas this summer I’m looking forward to like Delta Ditch & Huntington Lake Regatta. I wasn’t much of a cruiser prior to the pandemic, but I’ve learned to enjoy sailing at a different pace.
Noelle also shared some sourdough starter last year and I can bake a mean loaf of sourdough bread!
If you could be sailing anywhere in the world right now where would we find you and what type of boat would you be sailing on?
It’s hard to beat sailing in Maine in the summer...
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in sailing? What did you do to overcome them?
Sometimes it can be tough to move back in the boat and I’ve found that it’s best to volunteer!
To follow Nicole visit her instagram @nicoleelizaeth
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Image: Sailor & photographer Christy Usher is swift on her feet taking photos of the crew
It was incredible to spend the day on the water with an amazing all female crew. We had Logan Ashcraft at the helm, Olympian Pam Healy on the main, Nicole Voss as our trimmer, Bethany Windle on pit, Natalie Charles at the mast, and our own co-founder Laura Levy on the bow. In addition to our crew we had J/105 skipper Ian Charles of Maverick as our behind the scenes chase boat with co-founder Noelle Brewin aboard, this enabled us to get some serious up close action shots that would never have been possible otherwise!
Image: Olympian Pam Healy showing us how it is done!
We kicked off the day at 9:00 am with rapid Covid-19 tests to ensure everyone was safe and comfortable and then the next order of business was to get photo-ready, something we don’t typically do before a day on the water! Everyone picked the size and color of the Farallon jacket that suited them best and we were also very fortunate to have Dubarry Ultima sailing boots to keep everyone’s feet warm and dry and polarized Sunglasses from our friends at Velvet Eyewear provided for this photoshoot. Christy really took charge and made sure we captured some beautiful pre-sailing shots while rigging Hijinks and everyone had fun getting geared up and trying out the Sømand Farallon jacket (some for the first time).
After the dock shots we headed out of Sausalito Yacht Harbor towards the Golden Gate Bridge to begin the sailing portion of our shoot. We started out with our photographer Christy on Hijinks and we focused on detailed shots and close-ups of our sailors for this portion of the shoot. The weather couldn’t have been more ideal. We had 12-15 knots of breeze and a beautiful mix of sun and fog that is so iconic to San Francisco Bay. After about an hour of shooting Ian picked up Christy so she could shoot from the chase boat and we could focus on sailing shots.
Image: Sailor Natalie Charles models the Farallon Jacket in salt white on the bow
The sailing portion of our shoot was seamless and most importantly a ton of fun! Most of our sailors did not have experience crewing together or sailing on a J/88, but everyone communicated effectively and were able to execute clean tacks while sailing upwind and had a flawless kite set and takedown. It was a breath of fresh air to sail with such a supportive and skilled crew and we couldn’t have asked for a better day on the water. It was said multiple times “Why can’t we do this every weekend!”
Days like these make us so thankful for what we do and all the support we have in the Bay Area sailing community. We hope that Sømand inspires and encourages more Women to get on the water and fall in love with the sport of sailing. We are here to encourage, celebrate and support all women in sailing.
Image: Everyone was all smiles during this great day of sailing, photos and camaraderie
[disclaimer all local Covid guidelines were strictly adhered to, all models, photographers and participants were tested before the photoshoot]
]]>Somand, Inc., is thrilled to announce their sponsorship of the Pacific Cup Yacht Race for the upcoming 2022 Pacific Cup race from San Francisco to Hawaii. The Race begins on July 4th 2020 and features a warm welcome by Kaneohe Yacht Club upon completion of the race.
Somand, Inc. is proud to support the Pacific Cup as a woman’s performance technical sailing clothing company serving all women in sailing across the USA. They specialize in contemporary, highly technical, apparel. They have so far released their halo product, The Farallon Women’s Sailing Jacket and two complementary accessories - The Farallon High Visibility Hood & The Farallon UV Neck Gaiter. Somand, Inc strives to expand their offerings with an aim to reach all women sailors internationally. Visit www.somand.com to learn more about the company and products they offer or email them at hello@somand.com.
The Pacific Cup Yacht Club was formed in the 1980s to run the Pacific Cup Race that occurs every two years, from San Francisco to Hawaii. Participants of the race attend safety and preparation seminars as well as social events leading up to the race. The finish in Hawaii is off the north coast of Oahu near Kaneohe Bay. Upon arrival in Hawaii members of the Kaneohe Yacht Club welcome participants and all engage in week of festivities. To learn more about the Pac Cup visit www.pacificcup.org.
]]>How did you first discover Sailing and what attracted you to the sport?
I've been a water baby since birth. Growing up near the Eastern shore in Maryland, I spent many summers on jet skis and powerboats, but it wasn't until moving to San Francisco that I had my first sailing experience. I was instantly attracted to the adrenaline of being on the open water, and the mechanics of the beautiful sails.
Do you have any sailing mentors that have influenced you along the way?
I don't have a mentor per se (totally open to one!) but I have had several sailing encounters with tenured sailors, even one who sailed to New Zealand from San Francisco. I was inspired by his and many other sailors' stories of being out on the open seas.
What kind of sailor would you categorize yourself as? (ex. Weekend, cruiser, racer, etc.) Is there any type of sailor or sailing ambition that you have for the future?
Inspirationally, a racer, however a more reasonable goal to aspire to is a cruiser. After being a neighbor to a board member and watching America's Cup in San Francisco, I was hooked. Seeing the boats glide across the water like knives in the sea was magical. Currently, I"m a weekend sailor; attempting to find a sailing group to go out within my new home town, Newport Beach!
Were there any barriers you faced in trying to start sailing? If so, what were they and if there are any ongoing barriers explain those as well.
I think the biggest barrier to entry is not having a sailboat Next, it was finding sailors to go out with. Once I connected with Noelle and the Fresh Crew at St Francis Yacht Club, I was able to use those one or two sailing experiences to motivate other sailors to have me on board as crew (or just to cruise). I also had a rough time dressing appropriately for the boat.
If you could be sailing anywhere in the world right now where would we find you?
New Zealand!
What are your top sailing goals for 2021 and beyond?
I plan to join a club and volunteer this year to improve my skill set. I'd say once you outside of the golden gate bridge as a newbie, which I accomplished over the summer on a Saga 43 Robert Perry design, the rest is cake.
What advice do you have for aspiring women in sailing?
Introducing Sømand, technical sailing apparel designed for women
A new sailing apparel brand has arrived that aims to put women at the forefront in an industry that has historically catered to men. Sømand was founded by Bay Area sailors Noelle Brewin and Laura Levy, who set out to challenge the perception of what a sailor should look like and create apparel that empowers women to feel confident, be comfortable, and perform their best while sailing.
]]>Introducing Sømand, technical sailing apparel designed for women
A new sailing apparel brand has arrived that aims to put women at the forefront in an industry that has historically catered to men. Sømand was founded by Bay Area sailors Noelle Brewin and Laura Levy, who set out to challenge the perception of what a sailor should look like and create apparel that empowers women to feel confident, be comfortable, and perform their best while sailing.
The Somand Story
Noelle and Laura met as fellow crew racing a Friday night series in 2018 and bonded over a shared background in design, frustration with the lack of sailing apparel, and limited options available for women. Most women’s options on the market felt like adaptations of menswear not designed for women from the ground up. They set out to change this by creating a brand that offers uncompromising sailing apparel, worthy of all the amazing women in sailing that inspire us and the adventures they will embark on.
Sømand started product research and development in 2019 with the aim to uncover pain points that women in sailing experience with their apparel. Dozens of women in the Bay Area gave their input on their current sailing clothing and ways it could be improved. They spoke to sailors from varied backgrounds, ages and experiences including avid racers, cruisers and women that are just getting started in the sport. One piece of feedback that they heard over and over again was on how jackets don’t fit properly. They either have an abundance of excess fabric or are too slim cut to afford the flexibility needed for sailing. Sømand used this input alongside their own experiences cruising and racing on the Bay to influence design features and fit.
After two years of development Sømand released the Farallon women’s sailing jacket which is available now at Somand.com. The Farallon jacket features an anatomical cut for superior fit in addition to a waterproof, abrasion resistant fabric that incorporates 4-way stretch with a bonded membrane allowing it to be breathable. Velcro has been replaced with a more modern “snap tape” on the sleeve cuffs, to avoid the annoyance of it getting stuck in long hair. The hood of the jacket has a unique modular design that can either roll-away or zip-off entirely to switch out for a high visibility option. There is even a hat cord and clip built right into the collar. Details matter to the creators of Sømand and the right apparel can be a “super power” enabling the wearer to feel confident and ready to take on anything.
Sømand aspires to become a household name known for high-quality, uncompromising sailing apparel that happens to be made exclusively for women. The Farallon jacket is the first in a full line of performance sailing apparel that is in development. They hope their brand will inspire all women and underrepresented sailors and also attract new sailors to the sport!
]]>Laura Levy and Noelle Brewin say that being a part of a club where women achieve greatness in sailing inspired them to work together. The two met while racing on the Bay and are now meeting the needs of other sailors with Sømand, a line of high-performance sailing apparel designed by women, for women.
How did you meet?
Laura: Noelle and I met through a fellow Club member and my sponsor, Andrew Lorenzen, while racing in the SBYC Friday night series in 2018. We immediately bonded over our shared backgrounds in design. It was from that meeting that we decided to start working on Sømand together.
Tell us about Sømand.
We were inspired to create a sailing apparel company that puts women at the forefront in an industry that typically caters to men. Most women’s sailing apparel are adaptations of menswear and not built for women. Being a part of StFYC we have seen women achieve amazing things in sailing, such as Nicole Breault becoming 2018 Yachtsman of the Year. We feel women deserve sailing clothing at least as good as the options available to men, if not better.
We both come from design backgrounds and share a passion for sailing. Noelle received her MA in Sports Product Design in Switzerland and through a luxury skiwear brand learned how to design and manufacture high-end technical sports apparel. Laura studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art and launched a fashion start-up.
We started developing the brand in 2018 and recently launched pre-sales of our first product, the Farallon Jacket, shipping in Spring 2021. To inform our design, we gathered input from dozens of members and one thing we heard over and over was how jackets don’t fit. They either have excess fabric or are too slim cut to afford the flexibility needed for sailing. We designed our jacket with an anatomical cut for superior fit and worked with a fabric expert to develop a waterproof, abrasion-resistant fabric that incorporates 4-way stretch with a bonded membrane allowing it to breath. We minimized our use of Velcro and the annoyance of it getting stuck in long hair and opted instead for a new technology “snap tape” on our sleeve cuffs. There is even a hat cord and clip built right into the collar, which is Noelle’s favorite feature.
What are your goals for the company?
We want to build the best technical sailing apparel that exists. It would be great to become a household name known for our high-quality, uncompromising sailing apparel that happens to be made exclusively for women. We launched the brand with a performance sailing jacket as our halo product and will continue to design, develop and expand our full line of performance apparel. In addition to supporting all the amazing women sailors who already exist, we hope our brand inspires all women and underrepresented sailors.
Read the whole article here
]]>In April 2019, Sømand Co-Founder Laura had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion at the Pacific Boat Show that was created and moderated by San Francisco local, Captain Kira Maixner. The discussion centered around the topic of Women in Sailing and featured four different panelists from the Bay Area that have a unique experience and story to tell.
]]>In April 2019, Sømand Co-Founder Laura had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion at the Pacific Boat Show that was created and moderated by San Francisco local, Captain Kira Maixner. The discussion centered around the topic of Women in Sailing and featured four different panelists from the Bay Area that have a unique experience and story to tell.
The participants included Nichole Ortiz, an active member of the Modern Sailing Club and the Club's first female club skipper, Captain Darci Bogdan, the first female practicing captain in a Santa Cruz 70 called Chardonnay and Captain of Sea Spirit Ocean Safari, and Joan Byrn, a local racing skipper and promoter of women's sailing as well as a lead organizer for the Red Bra Regatta, the largest all-women regatta on the Bay.
Looking back it seems like just yesterday we were at the boat show discussing Sømand for the first time and learning the stories of the inspiring panelists around us! Sailing has been dramatically impacted just like any other sport in the Covid-19 environment, but this information still rings true to us and inspires our vision.
Here is a Q&A from Laura related to the panel on what inspired Sømand and some advice for women in sailing. If you are interested in listening to the full audio of the Panel you can find it on the Out the Gate sailing podcast here.
Q: What made you decide that we need a sailwear company for women?
A: When I started sailing in the Bay I realized quickly how important it is to have the right sailing apparel. Men currently have 4x the options and the 1 option for women seems to only fit one body type and often comes in just 1-2 colors. I would like to see better options and I know my fellow female sailors feel the same way. When I met my co-founder Noelle we immediately bonded as we both have a background in design and had the same pain points about our sailing gear, we decided to work together to solve this problem and bridge the gap in the market.
Q:What goals does Sømand have - what pain points are you trying to ease for women?
A: Our Goal is to create a brand that puts female sailors at the forefront. The phrase “shrink it and pink it” can be applied to a lot of the gear currently available on the market and we want to avoid that approach. Our designs are anatomically cut for superior fit, and offer full range of motion without excess fabric. When discussing challenges women overcome in Sailing fellow panelist Nichole mentioned “I don’t look like a sailor, I don’t look like the people that are at the helm in magazines.” We want to change that perception by creating a brand that offers uncompromising Sailwear for Women.
Q: As a female sailor, what is your greatest tool or “super power” that you discovered on the water?
A: My “super power” is being a great listener. It’s important to be open to listening and learning from others especially when sailing with a new crew. It is also important to not doubt what you know to be true and speak up for yourself. A sailing mentor of mine provided the following advice which I think is true for many women. What you don’t have in muscle mass or body weight can be made up for with technique and stamina. Another piece of advice echoed in the panel that I would like to mention is showing up early and asking questions can be a “super power”. Feeling prepared for the day can give you a big advantage and ensure confidence on the water.
Q: Besides getting involved in any type of sailing program, what is your best advice to getting on the water in the Bay Area/in General?
A: When I was new to the Bay Area I used a crew finder list to get started and meet local sailors. Most yacht clubs and local sailing organizations have a crew finder section and you can create a listing for yourself and also see boat owners that have posted looking for crew. A friend of mine first got involved in the Bay Area community by volunteering on the Race Committee at a local club. For many clubs membership is not a requirement to be a volunteer. Another opportunity is to show up at the dock ready to sail for anyone that needs crew. Our co-founder Noelle landed a ride in the Rolex Big Boat Series on a Santa Cruz 50 by just showing up and asking if anyone needed crew.
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