West Coast Tour - SDYC One-Design Weekend - Kiteboarding / San Diego, CA

by Kate Sheahan
West Coast Tour Coordinator

The San Diego Yacht Club One-Design Weekend Regatta normally sees a J105 and Etchells fleet, however this past weekend was spiced up with the addition of a Kiteboarding division. The trial was a success with a registration list of 17 kiters, including Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Bill Hardesty; and a lot of new knowledge shared across a diverse collection of classes. 

True to the culture of extreme watermen found on the island of Coronado, the Kiteboarding fleet launched adjacent to the Navy SEAL’s amphibious base for four races. Ty Reed of San Diego explained that, “the 2013 Kiteboard Racing Nationals will be hosted in San Diego this October and the fleet is testing venues to choose an optimal location.” Coronado Beach is one of three candidates, in addition to the San Diego city front and South Bay. Catch additional photos and interviews with San Diego-based Nico Landauer who will walk you through his gear package for racing. Chuck Eaton and Trevor Hecht of San Diego talk about how to begin and the importance of a strong foundation, but first, see a short clip of a Kiteboard race start.

Next up, I will be at Sabot Nationals in Mission Bay for a talk by US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider member Zach Brown about going from junior Sabot sailing to a 49er Olympic Campaign. The open presentation will be at MBYC at 4:30pm after the first day of racing concludes. I will be covering the final day of Sabot Nationals racing - with over 150 boats expected - this Wednesday.

Follow the West Coast Tour on Twitter at @USSailing

Check out The West Coast Tour Schedule

SDYC One-Design Weekend 2013 - Kiteboarding, a set on Flickr.

West Coast Tour - Santana 20 Nationals in Long Beach, CA

by Kate Sheahan
West Coast Tour Coordinator

2013 Santana 20 Nationals at ABYC

The Santana 20 fleet lives on! Alive and kicking, the “Tuna 20” is easy on the budget, easy for family to sail, and easy to take anywhere.  What is not easy - is "to beat the nice people within the class," reiterated PRO Steve Kuritz of Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. The Santana 20 Nationals was designed to select a Class Champion, but also maximize social moments and send competitor’s home with an infusion of technique and technical tips. 

Champions Kownacki, Kerr and Jenkins

Coach Andrew Kerr, of Olympia Washington, sailing with owner/driver Eric Kownacki (San Diego, CA) and bowman Tom Jenkins (Arroyo Grande, CA) won seven straight races and the Champion title, but didn’t keep their tricks a secret. On Friday night, Kerr hosted a Chalk Talk to cover everything from custom video evaluation to pointers for sailing in Long Beach chop. Fitting with the Santana 20 Class' spirit of generosity, the Class website is a robust resource with everything from step-by-step rigging photos, to technical pointers, dozens of articles by coach Andrew Kerr and even a detailed archive of class champions. 

Up next on the Tour is a stop with the budding Kiteboarding fleet in San Diego, CA at the SDYC One-Design Weekend off Coronado Beach.

Follow the West Coast Tour on Twitter at @USSailing
Check out The West Coast Tour Schedule

Santana 20 Nationals 2013, a set on Flickr.