Steer a course for future leaders
by Dawn Riley, Oakcliff Sailing 7 Jan 09:15 PST
Steer a course for future leaders © Oakcliff Sailing
As a coach and leader of youth we admire your dedication, hard work and passion. We know that sailing begins at home. And we would like to help you maximize the results of your efforts.
Our sailing world can be a turbulent place with many uncertainties. At Oakcliff, we provide solutions. Please take a moment to answer a question: do you have sailors who are ready for Oakcliff? Here are a few stories to help you explore.
Girl Yard
Last fall there was serious damage to a Match 40. Erin came in as a Winter Sapling and was empowered to re-build the boat: Cut across and around the gunnel, lift the back 1/3 of the deck off, set aside, build forms, layup glass, glue in core, scarf in inner skin, recreate destroyed bulkheads, replace deck, glue, scarf, layup glass, fair, sand, fair, gelcoat, sand, polish, put the steering back in and send her out onto the race course. Erin was assisted by Sweta, Siri, and Noelle, aka "Girl Yard". Ready to build a career at Oakcliff?
Oh Crap
The Bayview Mackinac race was extraordinarily light - even for the lakes - except for a brief 4 hours of 25 knots, in the middle of the night! The sun rose, the sailors were hiking on the rail, including our Executive Director's 13-year-old nephew and 83-year-old mother, both doing their first Bayview Mackinac race. I was to leeward trimming and heard a strange pinging. I looked up and noticed the D3 was loose and pinging when it hit the mast. Our bow team, Max and Allie, both 16, were already suited up and given tools. After their harnesses and halyards were checked for safety, they were sent up to re-attach the diagonal. Fifteen minutes later, we were good to go and there were high-fives all around. Honestly, I was a little choked up with pride for these young athletes. Ready to go Offshore with Oakcliff?
Teenagers Winning
A match race late this season saw tremendous racing. The 1st and 2nd place skippers happened to be 15 and 16 years-old. Oakcliff's World Match Race Tour Academy pumped out America's Cup sailors for multiple countries and launched Timothe Rossi onto the circuit. Timothee is now ranked 4th in the world. Ready to race world-wide with Oakcliff?
Courageous Rigger
Sasha learned to splice and make soft loops over the winter while she worked on the most famous 12 Metre, Courageous. Day one of racing, the jib sheet broke! Luke tacked the boat. Allie grabbed the spare sheet from the trimming pit and called for a soft loop to attach it. Sasha whipped one out of her back pocket, the sheet was run around, attached, they tacked back on lay-line. Ready to save the race at Oakcliff?
High Performance
High Performance High School student, Ewan, has been studying, working in the boat shop and foiling at Oakcliff. Oakcliff continues to offer year-round programming for a wide age range of scholar athletes. Skills learned off the water are just as important as on the water skills. Both are required for the leaders we are building in our sport. Ready to fly high at Oakcliff?
As you consider who might benefit from our programs, know that we are not necessarily looking for those who have demonstrated the most talent thus far. We are looking for those in your world with a strong drive to get better. (If you have a rising star who thinks they have nothing left to learn, we are not the right place for them.) We welcome all ages over 15. We strive to return your sailors stronger, more mature and with elevated skills. We also welcome your feedback as to how we are doing. Ours is a partnership.