Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Daily Lift

Racing tip from Bill Gladstone: Aim toward the finish. More boats win races with this simple strategy than any other. Don’t over think the strategy. Until you have a good reason to do something else just aim toward the finish.

Monday, January 30, 2012

College Sailors, Tell US Sailing why you Deserve a New Drysuit from Gill!

Attention College Sailors!
Create a two minute video, while wearing your team gear, on why YOU deserve a new drysuit.

Here is how it works...

1 - Upload your video to YouTube AND embed it onto the US Sailing Facebook Wall

2 - The video with the most "Likes" and "Comments" will win a new Gill's new Drysuit. Which is available in Men's, Women's and Youth sizes.

3 - This contest opens Monday, January 30 and concludes Friday March 2.

4 - The winner will be announced on Tuesday, March 6.


What is the US Sailing College Membership?
US Sailing offers a four year college membership for $95. This is a savings of 60% off the basic individual membership price. This special membership is good for four years from the date of purchase regardless of when you graduate. Remember... Certified Instructors (levels 1 and 2) are required to have an adult membership for insurance purposes, and a US Sailing college membership fulfills this requisite.
Disclaimer
By entering into this contest, you give US Sailing permission to promote your video through their communication and social media channels. This prize is non-transferable and is not redeemable for cash or a cash value. The contest is open to current college sailors. In the event of a tie, US Sailing will decide the winner.

Daily Lift

“It can be a strong racing club, a strong cruising club, a strong social club, a strong junior club or a strong adult education club. Any club can focus on several of these areas, but a club needs an identity.” –  Dave Perry

Friday, January 27, 2012

Daily Lift

Race management tip from Ken Taylor - Regatta Network typically recommends opening registration for regattas & events 8 to 12 weeks before the event date.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Daily Lift

US Sailing Fact! A total of 385 sailors from 185 clubs and associations attended US Sailing's inaugural 2011 Yacht Club Summit in Chicago.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Daily Lift

A tip for sailing organizations from Clay Deutsch: A key component of creating and sustaining a unique experience for members is to continuously update and maintain facilities. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Daily Lift

"Regardless of whether there are three boats starting or 30 or 130, the only two boats that really matter to you right off the starting line are the boats just to windward and to leeward of you. I call these boats my neighbors. Therefore, one of the secrets to getting a good start is picking your neighbors wisely." - Dave Perry

Monday, January 23, 2012

Daily Lift

A tip for sailing organizations by Gary Jobson: If you have a club owned fleet, create lessons for all age groups not just the kids. Adult learn-to-sail programs invigorate your local sailing communities.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Reflections from Key West Race Week

By Kelly Stannard

What a week! There were countless amounts of “firsts” for me last week, other then our scores that is. It was my first time sailing a Melges 24, first time meeting my teammates, first time to Key West, my first win at Race Week, and my first time being recognized as Sailing Anarchy’s Chick of the Week! Oh, and I almost forgot, the first time I was nicknamed, "Biscuit."

Friday, January 20, 2012

Daily Lift

“When you have ten people running a race management team, each has a different opinion. A good team will head toward the same goal. Or, since we’re sailors, toward the same windward mark.” - Dean Brenner

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Daily Lift

Tips to improve your yacht club's communication practice from Gary Jobson: Hire a communications director, produce high end newsletters (consider digital/email versions), host a user-friendly website and keep it updated, send e-mail reminders, and foster relationships with local media. 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A Great Start to Key West Race Week

By Kelly Stannard

Key West has been kind to me so far. All around I’ve had a wonderful time down here. Racing is exciting and close, and the social scene has also been a blast. I must say I’m incredibly lucky that Bora (Gulari) and the team asked me to come down to crew with them in the regatta. Everyone on the team has been great and supportive when it comes to getting me up to speed and teaching me what I need to know to about sailing a Melges 24. I've even acquired a new nick name... Biscuit. I’ve grown to become quite fond of.

Daily Lift

Race preparation tip from Bill Gladstone: Gather weather information from every available source. Stay away from high pressure, and position yourself to take advantage of new breeze, but beware of sailing the forecast instead of the wind, or you may find yourself in perfect position for a weather change that happens later than expected (or never happens).

Monday, January 16, 2012

Getting Ready for Key West Race Week

by Kelly Stannard

We are inbetween college sailing seasons, and I've been lucky enough to make it down to Key West Race Week and compete on Melges 24s with and against some great sailors.

Daily Lift

Parenting youth sailors tip: While elementary school children are discovering their likes and dislikes, exposing them to a wide range of activities is ideal, including singlehanded and doublehanded dinghies, big boats, cruising and racing. - Jessica Moehler

Friday, January 13, 2012

Daily Lift

Managing the Protest Process - The best way to manage the protest process is by having a set procedure and follow it closely. Getting more members involved in running races pays off in the long run. The only way to become a skilled race officer is to learn by making the tough calls yourself. - Tom Duggan

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Daily Lift

Junior Program Recruiting Tip - Since many instructors are college students, it is crucial to pay attention to the college sailing season. Don’t start your program until the college sailing season wraps up and end it early enough to let them get ready to return for the fall season. - Chip Johns

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Daily Lift

The club website is a great way to reach members, but often if a club stops mailing a monthly printed calendar, attendance drops. Families often post the calendar as a reminder for club events, so hard-copy publications still can play an important role in a communications plan. - Kurt Stocker

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Daily Lift

In a race, get back to your game plan as quickly as possible. If your original game plan was to go left, you are looking to tack onto starboard as soon as you can be reasonably sure you will have clear air for several minutes. If you originally wanted to go right and are doing so on port tack, great! If it is a shifty day, get onto the lifted tack as quickly as possible, even if it means sailing in some slightly disturbed air or water. - Dave Perry

Monday, January 9, 2012

Daily Lift

Welcome to US Sailing's Daily Lift! 

The Daily Lift is designed to give sailors quick tips on a variety of sailing topics, from ideas on how to improve your sailing organization to racing strategies, and from coaching tactics to interesting US Sailing facts, and much more.

Visit the US Sailing Blog Monday through Friday to get your Daily Lift.

Here is your first Daily Lift:

Parents can help their junior sailors by setting the right goals, taking cues from your child to develop success, building confidence and character through sailing, encouraging and setting limits for performance excellence, and by communicating with your child’s instructors or coaches. - Jessica Mohler