Oakcliff Looking forward: 2021 applications open
by Oakcliff Sailing 6 Nov 2020 09:24 PST
Oakcliff 2021 applications open © Oakcliff Sailing
Yes, Oakcliff's season just finished with the Halloween Regatta, but we already have a plan for our 2021 programming. Applications open today on website.
We also have Zoom calls scheduled for interested applicants next week - sign up here.
In order to fulfill our spring semester we are actively seeking donations of RVs, campers, or motor homes, to get our Student Saplings south for some warm-weather sailing while maintaining our COVID bubble. If you can help by donating or even lending equipment to Oakcliff, email Francis George at .
Last weekend's Halloween Invitational was won by Pearson Potts and his team (who got into the halloween spirit with their Star Wars costumes). Read on for the report and see some fun pictures on Facebook.
The Halloween Invitational wasn't the only match racing going on last week. Long-time Oakcliff match racer Chris Poole took fifth at the Bermuda Gold Cup / Open Match Racing World Championship.
Finally, remember to support Oakcliff through Amazon Smile while you do your online holiday shopping this season!
Halloween mastered by Guardians of the Monohull
Oakcliff's season-closing Halloween Regatta is always eventful and this year did not disappoint. Remnants of a hurricane cleared through leaving sunny skies for Saturday and transitioned into torrential rain on Sunday. Pearson Potts and his team the Guardians of the Monohull embraced all aspects including racing in costume and emerged victorious. Regular Oakcliff match racer Brendan Feeney took second, while Hugh MacGillvray took third. See the full results here.
"We were very good at improvising," said Pearson Potts. "We were also able to really harness the Force," he said with a straight face. Potts was dressed as Darth Vader, Peter Bailey on main was a Jedi and the crew dressed as stormtroopers. Oakcliff's excellent team of volunteers led by Regatta Program Director Patrick Burks pulled off what some saw as impossible, running a full season of nine match race regattas during COVID. Demand grew throughout the season with the Halloween Invitational having a full roster of eight teams with seven on the waitlist.
"We just kept working through challenges and using our full team of staff and volunteers to innovate," commented Burks. "From performance face coverings, to regatta parties delivered to race boats on their moorings, to a new and improved umpire system, I can't believe it is over. But I'm also looking forward to a bit of a rest" he added. Read the full press release here, and see an album of photos from the event on Facebook.
Summer 2021 applications open today
We will be accepting applications for our summer 2021 programming starting TODAY, November 5th on our website. We have programs for everyone - Offshore, Match Racing, Midwest Maxi Circuit, and High Performance.
This year we are introducing "Academies," shorter session that allow trainees to be fully immersed in different sailing disciplines. The summer is comprised of four different "blocks," with multiple intensive options per block. This allows you to customize your summer training experience. Read more about our different academies here.
Training Director Ethan Johnson will also be hosting informational Zoom calls in On November 18 and 19 for prospective trainees. You can sign up for one here to learn more and see how you could fit in at Oakcliff next summer.
Poole fifth at Bermuda World Championship
Last Friday, Long-time Oakcliff match racer Chris Poole and his Riptide Racing team consisting of Sam Barron-Fox, Matthew Cornwell, and Chris Draper - took fifth place at Bermuda Gold Cup / Open Match Racing World Championship in Hamilton, Bermuda. This was his first time at an open world championship.
"We really utilized the fleet of Shields here in Oyster Bay to practice," said Poole. Shields are a similar design to the boats sailed at Bermuda Gold Cup, International One Designs (IODs). "Having that preparation helped us be ready for racing and hit the first Round Robin running." Poole was winning the event after a banner round robin, but fell on some bad luck during the quarter finals. "Even though we personally felt like we could do better, we're happy with our overall result and excited for what next year brings." Read the full press release from the event here.