Reflections from the President - 2014 in Review

by Tom Hubbell, President of US Sailing

The Sailing Leadership Forum in San Diego last February brought over 600 sailors together to share ideas and inspiration. There are a lot of savvy volunteers and US Sailing staff who know about strong programs. US Sailing creates the foundation for sharing that intellectual wisdom. This chemistry gelled into a three-day festival of ideas and sailing enthusiasm. 

The US Sailing Board, consisting of six women and nine men, meets three times a year in person and monthly by phone. The typical phone conference takes two hours! Sailors on the board have distinguished backgrounds that represent all areas of the sport. They are engaged in growing the sport and supporting racing, and they are simply good people with whom to work. Membership is growing and we only use black ink for the bottom line.

All Shapes and Sizes in Sarasota

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is a club of a different shape – an umbrella shape, to be precise. Under the umbrella of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, and within the nine-acre property boundary, a host of “silent” water sports affiliations coexist and thrive, including kayaking, paddle boarding, one-design racing, casual cruising, youth racing and adventure sailing, adult learn-to-sail programs, big boat beer can racing and more.

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron provides the clubhouse, the dockage, maintains the schedule, offers boat rentals, maintains the facilities and hosts the parties – with the help of a small army of volunteers.

The First Sail that Changes Lives

Justin "Judd" Goldman was 17 years old when he suffered a disabling bone disease. After realizing that there were few sports that he could participate in he discovered sailing. Over the next 58 years he competed successfully in many races throughout the world. Soon after Judd passed away, Judd's wife, Sliv, son Peter, and daughter Judy established the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation as a public/private partnership with the Chicago Park District in 1990. 

Rocking the Boat in the Bronx

A non-profit youth organization based in the Bronx, N.Y., named Rocking the Boat, is empowering young people challenged by severe economic, educational, and social conditions to develop the self-confidence to set ambitious goals and gain the skills necessary to achieve them. Students work together to build wooden boats, learn to sail and row, and restore local urban waterways, revitalizing their community while creating better lives for themselves.

Partnerships for Growth - Sail Newport

It’s easy to assume that Sail Newport’s remarkable success is a result of location and tradition. After all, Newport, R.I. is a sailing town. However, Brad Read, Sail Newport’s Executive Director, identifies the nexus of their success as the strong public/private partnership forged by forward thinking state officials and the visionary founders of Sail Newport.

Reflections from the President - Meet us in Milwaukee

by Tom Hubbell, President of US Sailing

   
Are you going to US Sailing’s National Conference in Milwaukee on October 23-25?  If growing sailing and supporting racing is important to you, I want to see you there. Let’s have a good time and talk sailing.

Top 10 Reasons You Should Attend US Sailing’s National Conference...

Reflections from the President - US Sailing by the Numbers

by Tom Hubbell, President of US Sailing

I am used to people being a bit off balance when they encounter their doctor, me, around town outside of the medical setting. I have a strategy for dealing with that.  Now I’m learning a strategy to answer the quizzical expression leading to the inevitable question, what does it mean to be the President of US Sailing? 

Here is the answer: What it means is spending some serious time around enthusiastic sailors engaged in the sport. 

What are “we” doing? We are fully engaged to make US Sailing the leading source of expertise ready to assist local clubs and sailing centers. All of us who commit to being members are doing that.

Here is a capsule of examples that represent US Sailing's involvement and influence on our sport:

Dave Perry's Racing Rules Quiz of the Week

With 30 seconds to go before the starting signal, Boat P (on port tack) on a beam reach is approaching Boat S (on starboard tack) who is on a close-hauled course. P proceeds to luff and then cross head to wind all in one motion, ending up to leeward of S.

Just after P passes head to wind she holds her course, telling S to keep clear because she is on starboard tack and a leeward boat. S luffs to avoid contact with P and protests.

You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this?

Dave Perry's Rules Quiz of the Week

Boats X and Y are sailing dead-downwind halfway down a run. X, whose boom is out over her port side, is clear astern of Y, whose boom is out over her starboard side.

X is blanketing Y’s wind and is catching up quickly. Neither boat has changed her course in the five or so lengths preceding the incident.

X finally catches up and her bow makes contact with Y’s transom. There is no damage or injury. Both protest each other.

You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this?

Reflections from the President - Year 69 of the Thistle

By Tom Hubbell, President of US Sailing
       

The Thistle Nationals and the Thistle Class in general give us a test case. What is the formula for success? One challenge: the National Championship always involves some waiting. We visited as we drifted among the flying Frisbee, the passing handball, and opportunities to see centerboards clearly in the azure blue water of Lake Michigan.

Dave Perry's Rules Quiz of the Week

Question

Boats S (on starboard tack) and P (on port tack), both close-hauled, are converging on a beat. P will safely cross S. However, when they are less than two lengths apart, the wind veers (shifts to the right) ten degrees. S luffs (changes her course) in response to the windshift, such that P is unable to keep clear. There is minor contact with no damage or injury, and both boats protest. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this?

Answer

Boat S is penalized under rule 16.1, Changing Course. Rule 16.1 states, “When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.” S changes course when so close to P that P is unable to keep clear and there is contact. Therefore, S failed to give P room to keep clear, thereby breaking rule 16.1. The fact that S’s change of course was in response to a windshift is not relevant to the application of rule 16.1.

P broke rule 10, On Opposite Tacks, but is exonerated (not penalized) under rule 64.1(a), Decisions: Penalties and Exoneration, because she was compelled to
break rule 10 by S’s breach of rule 16.1.

S also broke rule 14, Avoiding Contact; but as the right-of-way boat, she is exonerated (not penalized) for breaking rule 14 as the contact did not cause damage or injury (see rule 14(b)). P did not break rule 14, because S changed course so close to P that it was not possible for P to avoid the contact.

Dave Perry's 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes highlights specific aspects of the racing rules in a fun format designed to help you become more familiar with The Racing Rules of Sailing. Increase your knowledge of the rules and your racing will improve. Purchase this publication today!

Bareboat Cruising: Weather and the Sailing Environment

Before you leave the charter dock, check the weather prediction for the next few days. Local weather stations will carry up-to-date information. Rapid and/or large barometric pressure movements usually indicate major changes in the weather.

East Coast
East Coast weather patterns change constantly as the continental land mass reconfigures passing weather fronts. Cool Canadian highs mix with warm, moist air from the south to create towering cumulus clouds which can become thunderstorms in the warmer months. Cold fronts move unpredictably but are usually followed by puffy and shifty northwesterlies. Early summer fog is common along New England’s shores, particularly in the warm days of May and June.

West Coast
West Coast weather forms over the Pacific Ocean. Winter storms track across the ocean and bring rain. From April through October, a huge, relatively stationary offshore high pressure system, called the Pacific High, provides sunny weather and steady westerly breezes. Coastal areas experience regular sea breezes as the land heats up and the air flows from the sea to the land. Those areas adjacent to warm inland valleys frequently experience very strong afternoon winds and fog during the summer. Strong westerlies sometimes counter tidal currents and create unusually short and choppy waves such as can be found on San Francisco Bay. Winter cold fronts over the desert cause strong easterlies, called Santa Anas, which can extend many miles offshore in Southern California.

Island Weather
In the tropics, where large land masses are scarce, trade winds predominate. Usually lighter in the morning, these winds peak at around 20 knots in the evening. Puffy, flat-bottomed clouds scud across the brilliant blue sky. Close to the equator, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) features light winds, squalls, and warm, overcast weather. The Caribbean’s easterly Christmas winds may bring some wind velocities up to 30 knots. Spring features lighter breezes and dry weather.

*For the best cruising instruction like this, purchase Bareboat Cruising on the US Sailing Store. US Sailing's network of accredited schools offer seven levels to help you sharpen your skills and gain confidence. Learn more

Dave Perry's Rules Quiz of the Week

A race committee boat is anchored at the port end of the starting line. Boat X starts and immediately catches the race committee boat’s anchor line on her centerboard. Reacting quickly, X’s helmsman heels the boat while her crew goes to leeward, pushes the anchor line down and frees it from the centerboard. X does not touch the committee boat, nor does she do a turn after the incident. Boat Y protests. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this?

Answer
Boat Y’s protest is disallowed. X does not break rule 31, Touching a Mark, because she does not touch the mark. The definition Mark reads, “An anchor line or an object attached accidentally to a mark is not part of it.” Furthermore, X does not propel herself by pulling on the anchor line; therefore she does not break rule 42, Propulsion.

Dave Perry's 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes highlights specific aspects of the racing rules in a fun format designed to help you become more familiar with The Racing Rules of Sailing. Increase your knowledge of the rules and your racing will improve. Purchase this publication today!

Speed & Smarts: Avoid the laylines and corners of the beat

By David Dellenbaugh

One reason why you should sail the longer tack first is so you avoid getting to the laylines and corners. These are usually bad places to be because:

• you risk overstanding the mark and therefore sailing extra distance;
• you will lose to other boats if you get lifted or headed; and
• other boats may tack on you and give you bad air all the way to the mark (or else you’ll have to do two extra tacks and overstand the mark).

For more racing tips and resources from David Dellenbaugh, visit the Speed and Smarts website. 

Reflections from the President

By Tom Hubbell, President of US Sailing

On Father’s Day I got to race my Thistle at the home fleet with my daughter, Sophie. That was fun! For the three weekends before that I raced Thistle regattas in Ohio and New York, and one day of a C Scow regatta on Cuba Lake in New York. One woman said she heard the President was coming to the regatta and that she expected to see a guy in a blazer and regalia; guess she was pleasantly surprised that presidents of US Sailing wear dinghy sailing clothes and actually go sailing.

I keep a tally just for fun. I have gone sailing on 32 days, experienced seven kinds of boats, competed in 29 races, in 10 locations scattered coast-to-coast in six states. There is a recurring theme at all those venues: energetic, outdoor-minded people who are fun to be with and who are nuts about trimming the sails and making the boat go. Many are so full of the sport that they desperately want to share it, to bring in new people. You might be one of those spark plugs. We are lucky to have a bunch of them on the Board of Directors and on our staff at US Sailing. Check out our Board of Directors’ roster. It is quite remarkable the depth of sailing talent, insightful leadership, and commitment to the sport of sailing represented on this Board of Directors. Our staff is a parallel world of excellence as well.

We saw and heard a lot of you spark plugs at the Sailing Leadership Forum in San Diego in February. That was such great karma at the SLF that we are changing our fall get-together into a National Conference (formerly the Annual Meeting). You are invited to Milwaukee this October. Every member of US Sailing is welcome to join the discussion and the fun of this conference.

The three days will include sharing of ideas, a deeper dive into current programming, and informal social breaks and parties. We will hear about several very successful events and programs. We will visit the Harken factory and recognize our outstanding sailors at an awards banquet. There is time for committees to meet face to face along with any interested sailors in attendance. It is a time for us to welcome potential new leaders and volunteers to the national discussion. The very brief Annual General Meeting and Board meetings will get the official business done. The real business consists of getting all you spark plugs connected to each other to energize our wonderful sport. It won’t be as good if you are not there, really. If you can’t make it to Milwaukee, push hard for your other enthusiastic sailing buddies to make the trip, especially from your yacht club or sailing center. I promise that being there will change the future of your local sailing experience for the better.

We have a new US Sailing website and we are building a new US Sailing for the 21st Century. We need all sailors on board as members supporting this adventure.

See you on the water and in Milwaukee,

Tom Hubbell
President of US Sailing

Speed & Smarts: Watch out for other boats’ wind shadows

By David Dellenbaugh

When you want to go fast upwind, bad air is your enemy. So watch out for other boats, and look ahead for lanes of clear air.

Wind shadows extend farther and slow you more in light air than they do in heavy air. So when there’s not much wind, don’t stay in a position that’s to leeward of or behind another boat. In breeze, however, it can be OK to sail in a boat’s bad air, especially if you’re on a lift or going the right way.

For more racing tips and resources from David Dellenbaugh, visit the Speed and Smarts website. 

Dos and Don'ts of Planning a Cruise

An integral part, and part of the fun, of any cruise is planning for it. Preparing for a bareboat charter includes a number of responsibilities to consider.

Here is a list of "Dos and Don'ts" of planning for your cruise.

• Do make travel arrangements well in advance.
• Do leave some extra time in your itinerary and dollars in your budget.
• Do use up-to-date charts and guides when making your plans.
• Do note stopover points where you can refresh supplies, including food and water, or pump out the holding tank.
• Do make back-up plans for adverse wind and weather conditions.
• Do make sure everyone knows beforehand about medical conditions that may exist among the crew and the procedures for handling any situations that may arise.
• Don’t over-plan.

*For the best cruising instruction like this, purchase Bareboat Cruising on the US Sailing Store. US Sailing's network of accredited schools offer seven levels to help you sharpen your skills and gain confidence. Learn more

Speed & Smarts: Sail the longer tack first

By David Dellenbaugh

When you’re not sure where the next shift will come from, get onto the longer tack to the windward mark (the tack on which your bow is pointing closer to the mark). This is one of my most reliable strategies.

Sailing the longer tack works because of probability. Your chances of success are better when you sail the longer tack toward the middle of the course rather than the shorter tack toward the layline. Of course, once in a while it pays to go to the layline early, but more often than not the windshifts favor taking the longer tack. And your odds improve as the two tacks become more and more uneven.

For more racing tips and resources from David Dellenbaugh, visit the Speed and Smarts website.

Bareboat Chartering: A world of possibilities

Each charter destination offers its own special aspects. You may have nursed a life-long fantasy to loll on a snow-white beach in Tahiti or climb the ruins of the Parthenon. Advance research will inform you how to fulfill those dreams or where to go for new adventures. Travel books, boating magazines and charter company brochures are good places to start. Charter brokers with firsthand experience can advise you on appropriate choices that suit your needs and experiences. Other sailors who’ve chartered can also be helpful.

If you’ve never been to your charter destination, there are a few factors to keep in mind as you plan your trip.

Climate. If you want hot, tropical weather, aim for a spot near the equator, which is warm all year. As you head farther north or south, expect cooler weather with seasonal changes. Make sure that your trip coincides with a favorable time of the year at your destination.

Experience. Sailing skill is one factor in choosing your first charter. Will you feel comfortable handling the boat in the waters and winds of your charter area? Are you confident enough in your anchoring skills to sleep through the night? Consider also that you may be in a foreign country with its unfamiliar language and customs.

Affordability. In addition to the boat, your charter costs will include transportation, pre- and post-cruise lodging, food (on board and dining out), extra equipment, additional supplies such as cooking gas, water, fuel, and incidentals. To ensure a good time, leave extra room in the budget for the unexpected.

U.S. East Coast. Good sailing waters can be found on the east coast from the southern tip of the Florida Keys to the northern tip of Maine, including the Chesapeake Bay and inland on the Great Lakes. The more northerly climates feature excellent summer weather, but you’ll want to go further south to areas like the Gulf Coast of Florida in the winter.

U.S. West Coast. The rugged Pacific coastline offers a variety of opportunities near the busy harbors of San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as coastal and island destinations such as the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara, CA. You’ll also find an abundance of protected waterways extending from Seattle’s Puget Sound north to the inland passage of Alaska.

Caribbean. The most popular charter area in the world, the Caribbean possesses many attractive features, including easy access from the United States and Europe, warm and protected waterways, safe anchorages and a color-ful infusion of cultures from both sides of the Atlantic. The Virgin Islands are ideal for first time charterers.

Peak sailing season in the Caribbean runs from December through May, with steady trade winds from the southeast. Substantial discounts may be available during the off season.

Europe. The waters of the Atlantic around northern Europe and the Mediterranean present a wide array of sailing options. Most chartering takes place during the summer months. July and August in the Mediterranean can sometimes bring strong meltemi and mistral winds, but they are followed by excellent sailing weather in the fall.

South Pacific and Asia. Tahiti, Tonga and Fiji support an active charter industry. These islands enjoy a dry season with steady trade winds and occasional tropical squalls fromearly May to late October. Other areas, including New Zealand, Australia and Thailand, enjoy warm weather during North America’s cold winter months.

Other Areas. Good bareboat chartering can be found in many other areas of the world, with reputable charter companies there to serve you.

*For the best cruising instruction like this, purchase Bareboat Cruising on the US Sailing Store. US Sailing's network of accredited schools offer seven levels to help you sharpen your skills and gain confidence. Learn more

Speed & Smarts: Sail toward the next shift

By David Dellenbaugh

This is a sure-fire rule of thumb that works in any wind condition. Of course, you must be able to predict which way the wind will shift next. But if you can do this, all you have to do is sail in that direction and you will come out ahead (assuming you don’t overstand the windward mark).

In an oscillating breeze, sailing toward the next shift is basically the same as tacking on the headers. In a persistently shifting breeze, sailing toward the next shift is the same as digging into the favored side. In both cases, this strategy works because when the wind shifts you end up on a higher ladder rung than boats that went the other way.

For more racing tips and resources from David Dellenbaugh, visit the Speed and Smarts website.

Speed & Smarts: Follow Your Strategic Plan

By David Dellenbaugh

This sounds simple, but it’s not always so easy to do. A strategy is your game plan for how to sail fast up the first beat, a guideline to keep you going the right way. It’s not so difficult to develop a strategic plan – you just have to get out to the starting area early and gather information about the wind. But putting that plan into action is another story.

When you come off the starting line, it’s easy to lose your focus amidst all the distractions. But if you want to be succesful you must do two things:

1) Keep your strategic plan in mind and make it your number one priority; and
2) Use good tactics and anticipation to stay in control of your race. Don’t let other boats keep you from following your strategy.

For more racing tips and resources from David Dellenbaugh, visit the Speed and Smarts website.

Case Study: An Emergency Action Plan Report from OCSC

When a Life Hangs in the Balance – Emergency at the Club
 
By Rich Jepsen and Steve Saul

All sailing instructors and program directors are trained in the ‘what ifs’ of safety and risk in our jobs teaching kids and adults how to sail, while providing them opportunities to enjoy their new found skills.

We all know it is a question of when rather than if we will need to use that training and planning. On April 30, 2014 OCSC Sailing, a keelboat school in Berkeley, CA, had its staff training and preparation put to a heavy test when one of our staff members was struck with cardiac arrest while traveling on a 21’ Zodiac with another instructor just outside our marina.

This staff member is an OCSC instructor and has been with us for well over a decade, teaching sailing from the basics to bareboat cruising and helping to lead international flotillas of OCSC members and friends around the world.

Below in italics is a slightly edited version of the official incident report from Steve Saul, the driver of that Zodiac, the victim’s fellow instructor and the person who set the entire process of saving this individual’s life into motion.

College Sailing's Chalk Talk - Season Finale

Chalk Talk says goodbye for the season with a look back at Gill Coed Nationals at St. Mary's, where Chris Love was on hand for ESPNU coverage of the event. Get a sneak peek of some of the highlights and see the Chalk Talk hosts dress up like sailing coaches as the prediction contest winner is announced.

Chalk Talk is presented by US Sailing with support from Zim Sailing and produced by Chris Love Productions.

College Sailing's Chalk Talk: National Championship Coverage

Chalk Talk recaps the 2014 Sperry Top-Sider Women's National Championships and APS Team Race Nationals which concluded in Maryland this week. The gang looks over the list for Gill Coed Dinghy Nationals, which includes two days of semifinals racing this year. We will preview the contenders!

Building Race Management Resources

By Jenn Lancaster - Race Director, Newport Harbor Yacht Club / Lynn M. Lynch - On-the-Water Director, Chicago Yacht Club / Taran Teague - Annapolis Yacht Club

Building race management resources at your club or sailing center requires a significant commitment. Investing time, effort and money in these resources can go a long way in positively impacting sailors' experience on and off the water at your racing events and programs.

Consider these questions when recruiting personnel to join the race committee: 

What challenges do you face trying to get people to join the race committee?

• Time commitments
• Lack of skills or knowledge
• Fear of being judged by their peers

What motivates people to join the race committee?

• Learn something new
• Social opportunity. Have fun.
• Reward / Recognition
• Obligation

Learn more about other factors for consideration in building race management resources , including information on equipment and boats, outside support, and more.

College Sailing's Chalk Talk: National Championship Edition

It's ICSA National Championship week in college sailing!

In the opening segment of this two-part Nationals Edition special, the Chalk Talk team goes in-depth on the 2014 Sperry Top-Sider College Sailing Women's National Championship.



Also check out Part 2, the Team Race Preview:



Chalk Talk is presented by US Sailing. The show also enjoys support from Zim Sailing.

Implementing an Offshore Safety and Preparedness Plan

By Chuck Hawley & Sally Lindsay Honey

Here are some items to consider when creating and implementing an offshore safety and preparedness plan:

1. Start with a safety ethos for the event
2. Implement pre-departure training
3. Select an equipment list
4. Identify skipper/crew/yacht qualifications, if any
5. Pre-departure inspections – make them useful
6. Communication plan appropriate for the event
7. Emergency Action Plan - anticipate problems
8. Post race inspections? All? Some? None?
9. What can we learn from the sailing incidents over the last three years?

Learn more about offshore safety and preparedness plans in this presentation from the 2014 Sailing Leadership Forum.

Reflections from the President

By Tom Hubbell, President of US Sailing

For years, my sailing activities consisted of 95% racing, usually with my wife, Pat, and our friend, Punch.  But that changed one evening, after a full day of racing. During the social hour I saw that my friend Charlie’s boat was still rigged. I asked and he replied that it was just too nice an evening to put the boat away and he was looking for someone to go for a sail. I accepted and the next hour changed my perspective forever.

Charlie had been the Thistle Class President and National Champion. He was an icon. Time stood still as we sailed his Thistle on our little lake as twilight approached. We missed the regatta dinner but we solved the world’s problems and shared family stories. 

I’m still racing - three regattas and 16 races so far this year. But that day Charlie rekindled my awareness and enjoyment so that I can also make time to just go sailing for an hour, or an evening, or a day. I wish I had learned this when the kids were still small.

I have enjoyed reading the sailing commentary lately promoting the adventure, the recreation, the pure fun, and the idea of not pushing new sailors so much into the competitive side of the sport. Nevin Sayre speaks to the issue enthusiastically in his presentation from our Sailing Leadership Forum in February. 

A number of creative sailing educators and entrepreneurs have long been aware of the reality that most sailors enjoy the sport without racing but as an adventure, an escape, a lifestyle, or simply open sailing.  And they know that many very active racing sailors also relish adventures on the water with no scorekeeping. I’m one of those. Most of us are not just one kind of sailor.

A 2003 McKinsey study about the sport kindled our restructuring and the beginning of our new approach to recreational sailing. Since then, US Sailing has been looking for ways to support the work of instructors and the play of folks whose focus is the enjoyment of going sailing. It’s a fact that pure enjoyment of wind and water is the glue that binds all sailors. Community sailing programs and sailing clubs succeed when they create sailing activities that build collegiality of their sailing community, more so than working to define the hierarchy of competitive prowess. It comes down to helping build a community of sailors.

Through US Sailing, we’re providing forums and seminars for networking and sharing best practices to support local sailing organizations (Sailing Leadership Forum, National and Regional Sailing Symposiums.). A recurring theme at those sessions is that we must share our enthusiasm about boats without prematurely pushing a racing agenda.

We’re providing training programs at multiple levels, offered at many places that bring sailors together to raise their skills, while improving safety and seamanship (Safety at Sea, Bareboat Cruising, Safety, Rescue & Support Boat Handling, etc.).

We have a fabulous means to connect young people to the water. The Reach program is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education pathway for teaching science and math using the maritime experience as a platform. And there is much more that US Sailing offers for individual sailors through local sailing programs.

I believe we are also fostering an inclusive culture that celebrates the incredible variety of ways that sailing can be enjoyed. There is no “one best way.” It’s up to all of us to find ways to support each other’s time on the water. As we do that, we can share the magical experience with youth, young adults, and anyone who enjoys being outside.

It is a challenge for US Sailing to address the needs of this incredibly broad-spectrum of our sport. If you have ideas or comments about supporting or promoting adventure sailing or recreational sailing, please send me a note. The future of sailing in the U.S. depends on our achievements in growing the sport, for the recreational sailor as well as the racing sailor.

See you on the water!

Tom Hubbell
President of US Sailing

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @TomHubbell

We want to hear your thoughts on cruising and how US Sailing can support this area of the sport. Submit your comment below...

[Attention newsletter editors: You may reprint this material. Please share your newsletter with US Sailing.]

The Dos and Don'ts of Filing an Appeal

By Dave Perry

Dave Perry, Chairman of US Sailing Appeals Committee, presented the dos and don'ts of filing an appeal at the Sailing Leadership Forum last February in San Diego. Perry is the author of Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing and Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes. He is also a US Sailing Senior Certified Judge.

When filing your appeal do...

• Read Appendix R, rules R1, R2 and R3 carefully.
• Read the FAQ on the US Sailing Appeals page.
• Send your appeal within the 15 day time limit (see rule R2.1(a)).
• Include everything asked for in rule R2.2, including the names and email address of all the parties, and the chairman of the protest committee, and appeals committee if applicable.
• Be sure all documents are dated.
• Keep your grounds (the reason you are appealing) as brief and concise as possible.
• Organize your supporting documents so they are clearly marked, and consolidate any email threads into one well-marked file as much as possible.
• Be patient. The average time from receipt of an appeal to sending the decision is three months, and it can be much longer depending on the complexity of the case and/or the number of times the appeals committee must ask the protest committee for additional facts and information.

When filing your appeal don’t...

• Send your appeal after the 15 day time limit has expired (see rule R2.1(a)).
• Send individual copies of many emails; or a lot of documents with no clear marking as to what they are.
• Copy your appeal to people who are not representatives of the parties or committees directly involved in the appeal.
• Send in an incomplete appeal (see rules R 2.1(a) and R2.2).

Learn more about this process.

Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool: The Regatta Website

By Jared Wohlgemuth, San Diego Yacht Club

Does your regatta website succeed in engaging the public and preparing your competitors? Jared Wohlgemuth of the San Diego Yacht Club walks us through the "must-haves" for your regatta website.

• Define Your Regatta: recurring event or singular, local/regional, national/international, media attention, sponsor requirements
  
• Know Participant’s Needs: regatta documents, logistics, schedules, value for participation, regatta management contacts
  
• Involve The Media: basic event info, timely press releases/recaps, access to competitors, credential sign up, media contact, media list
  
• Live Coverage: live video, race tracking, social media, timely results posted
  
• Know Regatta Website Basics: event name/logo, dates prominently displayed, locations/host, regatta documents, contact info, registration, timely results
  
• Additional Components: information on hospitality, event news, chartering, social media, jury notices, merchandise, volunteers, photos and video, entry list, history of the event, previous winners, about the host and venue content

Learn more on how to develop a regatta website, including multiple examples of how race organizers have used their website to share their message and inform racers.

Adaptive Sailing: Building a Program

by Cristina Rubke, Maureen McKinnon, Betsy Alison and Joe Harris

Why Adaptive Sailing?

• Creates a positive difference in many lives
• Increases your membership and outreach base
• Increases access to funding opportunities
• Creates new Partnership and sponsorship opportunities
• Provides full inclusion to your community
• Improves community relations

Learn more about the advantages of establishing an adaptive sailing program at your sailing organization. In this Sailing Leadership Forum presentation, you will learn about adaptive facilities, equipment, designs, staff training tips, recruitment, resources and funding.

College Sailing's Chalk Talk - April 24, 2014

Should college sailing be governed by the NCAA? Should Nationals always have representation from every conference? In this special regular season finale, the gang interviews coaches and ICSA President Mitch Brindley about the growing number of teams in the top performance category of ICSA and what that could mean for the future structure of the league.

We're off the air for the end-of-season break in competition, but we'll be back for three special episodes during Nationals, starting at the end of May. Follow us at http://facebook.com/collegesailingchalktalk to find out when the episodes will air.

US Sailing’s Drysuit Instagram Contest
Need a new drysuit? Enter US Sailing’s Drysuit Instagram Contest for your chance to win a new Gill Drysuit! All you have to do is...

• take an Instagram video that explains why you need a new drysuit. 
• In the caption, tag @ussailing1 and @gillgear, and...
• be sure to use the hashtag #drysuitcontest.

The three finalists will be posted to the US Sailing Facebook page on Monday, April 28 for fan voting. The video with the most likes after 48 hours will be crowned the winner of a new Gill drysuit and will be invited to join Chris, Zeke and others on Chalk Talk.

Time to get those cameras rolling and let’s get creative! This contest is open to all sailors.

Attention College Sailors!

• US Sailing offers a four year college membership for $95.
• 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.
• Get your US Sailing college membership today! 

Chalk Talk is presented by US Sailing with support from Zim Sailing and produced by Chris Love Productions.

College Sailing's Chalk Talk - April 17, 2014

In this week's edition of Chalk Talk we focus on women's racing. Zeke and Chris talk you through the seven women's conference championships coming up over the next few weeks that determine who advances to the National Championships.

US Sailing’s Drysuit Instagram Contest
Need a new drysuit? Enter US Sailing’s Drysuit Instagram Contest for your chance to win a new Gill Drysuit! All you have to do is...

• take an Instagram video that explains why you need a new drysuit. 
• In the caption, tag @ussailing1 and @gillgear, and...
• be sure to use the hashtag #drysuitcontest.

The three finalists will be posted to the US Sailing Facebook page on Monday, April 28 for fan voting. The video with the most likes after 48 hours will be crowned the winner of a new Gill drysuit and will be invited to join Chris, Zeke and others on Chalk Talk.

Time to get those cameras rolling and let’s get creative! This contest is open to all sailors.

Attention College Sailors!

• US Sailing offers a four year college membership for $95.
• 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.
• Get your US Sailing college membership today! 

Chalk Talk is presented by US Sailing with support from Zim Sailing and produced by Chris Love Productions.

Advantages of US Powerboating’s Safe Powerboat Handling Courses

By Rob Crafa and Lynn Lynch


There are so many benefits for hosting and taking US Powerboating's Safe Powerboat Handling Course. Find out how this course can improve the quality of your club's programming:

• Hands-on, on-the-water–, practical application of all skills
• Professional textbook & online / digital teaching aids
• Boaters with no experience quickly gain confidence
• Experienced boaters correct bad habits & learn new skills
• Nationally and state recognized (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Approved; State Certificates in many states)

Benefits For Host Facilities:

• Be a leader
• Improve safety
• Better trained staff - increase confidence
• Better maintained boats
• New program for existing members / customers or attract new ones
• Generate revenue

Benefits For Adult Participants:

• Emphasize skills most relevant to their needs
• Achieve state boating certificates
• Insurance discounts
• Operate club-owned boats
• Additional member value
• Race Committee support!

For Younger Participants:

• Keep younger club members involved
• Satisfy the safety boat knowledge & skills to become a US Sailing Certified Sailing Instructor
• Achieve the skills to become a member of the race support team
• Part of the development system for future instructors
• They love driving the coach boats

Learn more about creating a powerboat program for all ages.

US Sailing at Charleston Race Week

US Sailing had a blast last week with the competitors and organizers of the Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week. Here is a rundown of US Sailing’s participation in Charleston:

• Groupe Beneteau sponsored scholarships for 21 educators working in at-risk schools in Charleston and Marion County South Carolina for the US Sailing STEM Educator Course held last Saturday in association with Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week.
  
• At the welcome reception, US Sailing Executive Director Jack Gierhart discussed the benefits of Reach and the program’s long term goals. 
   
• US Sailing served free coffee and espresso to competitors each morning at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina's Reel Bar. US Sailing President Tom Hubbell was on-hand meeting sailors. Coffee and espresso was provided by Francisco Davila’s Coffee Roasters of Charleston. US Sailing members were given one pound of fresh roasted coffee. We served 970 cups of coffee over three days!
   
• Race committee volunteers Carol and Ken Small of Oriental, N.C. won the the GoPro Hero3 raffle prize.

Check out our photos from Charleston Race Week on Instagram.
 
Learn more about Charleston Race Week.

College Sailing's Chalk Talk - April 10, 2014

This week's edition of Chalk Talk focuses on team racing and an in-depth look ahead to the National Championships.

Chalk Talk is presented by US Sailing with support from Zim Sailing. Produced by Chris Love Productions

Attention College Sailors!

• US Sailing offers a four year college membership for $95.
• 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.
• Get your US Sailing college membership today!

Reflections from the President

By US Sailing President Tom Hubbell

Prepared For the Future

Prepared to gybe
I’m not sure just exactly how I managed to fall out of the boat. A Thistle on her side, spinnaker nicely woven through the standing rigging, it’s not pretty. We accepted help to retrieve vital gear and a DNF in that race at Thistle Midwinters East. In the debrief, we realized why we got to swim. I had called the gybe but did not allow time for us to prepare. To my team’s credit, we literally shook off the big negative and 30 minutes later had our best race of the week.

Prepared to support the sport
There’s another message in that story. US Sailing has had a few blown gybes in its history and it has had some great come-backs. Coming in as president and taking the helm of US Sailing, I did prepare and so did the team. I’ve witnessed four presidents up close. But, as much as one can learn about US Sailing, there seems always another layer of detail, another avenue of engagement, another deeply committed volunteer, and another area of expertise among the staff.

You should be confident in knowing that our current board of directors actively engages to steer the organization and the sport to take the lead at the top mark. We won’t be capsizing. The leadership is dedicated, prepared, and knows the sport. US Sailing is looking for teammates to be a part of the 21st Century growth of sailing. The sailing community needs all of us on board as supporters of our national sailing organization. Every sailor needs to hike-out to keep this boat on her lines and going fast.

Sponsorship Request Tips

Trying to build your club's sponsor portfolio for an upcoming event? Here are some helpful sponsorship request tips from Whitney Peterson, VP of Marketing at Gowrie Group.

College Sailing's Chalk Talk - April 3, 2014

In this week's edition of Chalk Talk, co-host Katy Nastro goes on site with sailors and coaches at the Marchiando at MIT - the last interconference team race event before the National's Qualifiers this weekend... Hosts make their predictions!

Chalk Talk is presented by US Sailing with support from Zim Sailing.

Produced by Chris Love Productions

Attention College Sailors!

• US Sailing offers a four year college membership for $95.
• 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.
• Get your US Sailing college membership today!

Season 10 Premiere of College Sailing's Chalk Talk - March 27, 2014

The Chalk Talk gang returns for the start of college sailing's spring season. The spring season is going to look a little bit different. The cast explains...

Back by popular demand is the "Zim Stud of the Week" and predictions for the upcoming weekend.

Chalk Talk is presented by US Sailing with support from Zim Sailing.

Produced by Chris Love Productions

Attention College Sailors!

• US Sailing offers a four year college membership for $95.
• 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.
• Get your US Sailing college membership today!

Your Takeaways from the Sailing Leadership Forum

Dear Sailors,

On behalf of the US Sailing staff, board of directors, and our volunteers we extend a great deal of gratitude to the over 600 sailors who attended the first-ever Sailing Leadership Forum last month at the Hilton San Diego Resort. It was truly a remarkable experience to witness so many sailors from all over the country, representing different interests, in one place to address the issues that matter most to sailors in the U.S. We all have so much in common in terms of the passion we have for sailing and the challenges we encounter.

The inaugural Sailing Leadership Forum left an indelible impact on the attendees who attended this original US Sailing event. I want to express how important it is for us all to continue this momentum. Keep the learning, sharing and networking alive as we apply these new ideas, strategies and procedures to our own sailing activities or at your home club.

We have archived the presentations and videos on the Sailing Leadership Forum website for your reference. In addition, we requested that attendees focus on their five most important takeaways from the event and share their experiences with US Sailing. It is part of our responsibility to study these prioritized takeaways in more depth and use them to help chart our course.

One of the more common attendee forum reviews we received was the variety of topics presented and the wealth of knowledgeable individuals participating in a wide range of subjects. Here is a summary of the most popular takeaways from the forum.

Reflections from the President

By US Sailing President Tom Hubbell
   
The reviews and feedback we have received from the Sailing Leadership Forum in San Diego earlier this month reveals that a lot of good people have a variety of good approaches to strengthen and grow the sport. They’re excited. I’m delighted to see this energy and creativity flowing into sailing.
What follows is one thoughtful commentary from Lou Sandoval's blog, Co-Owner/Co-Founder Karma Yacht Sales, with permission, slightly condensed.

A Conversation with Chicago Yacht Club's Lynn Lynch

Lynn Lynch (Chicago, Ill.) was honored with Virginia Long Sail Training Service & Support Award earlier this month at the Sailing Leadership Forum Awards Dinner, sponsored by Old Pulteney and hosted by the San Diego Sports Hall of Fame.

Lynn has spent many years contributing to the art and science of sailing instruction as well as unparalleled support of her local program. She has been exceptional as the On-the-Water Director for Chicago Yacht Club, especially in her leadership of the junior sailing program’s activities and training, management of personnel, and operations of the race committee’s responsibilities for both one-design and offshore events.

Lynn has conducted and been the trainer in several local powerboat courses with outstanding success. She has also been a great contributor at the National Faculty meetings building curriculum, protocols and standards for Keelboat, Small Boat and Powerboat. She recently has become a Keelboat Program Instructor Trainer.

Read what Lynn had to say about her experiences and the advice she has for others in similar roles at their club: