Fast Puts the Fun in Fundamental: 29er Sailing in Annapolis
Annapolis is fast becoming known as one of only a few hubs in the country for youth skiff sailing, thanks to the combined missions and efforts of Severn Sailing Association (SSA) and Skiff+. SSA has long been known for outstanding small-boat one-design racing for all ages and for fostering a love of sailboat racing that will last a lifetime in its Junior Program participants. Skiff+, run by high-performance sailor and coach Caroline Atwood, helps sailors grow their capabilities using skiffs such as the 29er as the sailing platform.
Sailing fast is fun, as evidenced by the recent development and rise of many lighter-weight asymmetrical spinnaker classes. Atwood’s mission to inspire young sailors to master the fundamentals of sailing, using skiffs as the sailing platform instead of a more traditional doublehanded boat like the 420, is gaining traction. Sailing a skiff like the 29er can serve as a pipeline to high-performance Olympic classes such as the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17.
When Atwood was looking to bring her work back to the United States from Hong Kong, where she had been coaching, she explored potential markets. Annapolis made sense to her for a couple of reasons: it’s home to strong junior sailing (especially Optimist) programs, and there’s a large adult one-design small-boat sailing community. She has found those two elements—which are proxies for sailor interest and parent support—key to a strong skiff location.
“I aim to reach athletes who aspire to represent the United States on a global stage in high-performance one-design boats,” said Atwood. “SSA has a strong history in the Olympic classes, so I thought they might be interested in supporting a way for young sailors to train up to new Olympic classes.”
Atwood reached out to SSA Junior Program director Travis Carlisle and operations manager Madde Vachon to see if SSA might be willing to serve as a base for Skiff+ clinics and coaching. For SSA, it was great timing. Carlisle and Vachon were eager to explore new ways for young sailors to develop their skills, and having an expert like Atwood eager to deliver top-notch coaching and charter boat availability made saying “heck yes!” an easy decision.
“Caroline came in with a plan and a vision including introductory clinics and team high-performance practices that were a good match for what we were looking for,” said Vachon.
In late 2023 and throughout 2024, Skiff+ hosted several clinics at SSA to introduce interested sailors to the 29er, as well as afterschool and weekend practices for more committed sailors. 29ers were also included in SSA’s fun and popular “Adventure Sailing” class during its summer junior program, where young sailors get to learn sailing in several different established one-design classes.
Plans for 2025 are even bigger, including at least two introductory clinics (including an all-girls clinic!) this spring, to help sailors get a “taste test” to see if they want to commit to more time in the 29er. 29ers will again be part of the Adventure Sailing experience. And, SSA’s summer junior program will include two-, four-, and eight-week race team options in the 29er that will be led by noted 29er coach Eric Scherer. While sailors looking to step up their involvement in skiff sailing are encouraged to bring their own boat, there are other options: SSA has two boats and Skiff+ has two boats that can be available for program participants.
Opportunities for sailors to compete in skiff regattas are growing, too. 29ers will have a fleet in the three Annapolis-area Junior Race Week events (West River SC, June 30; Annapolis YC, July 1; and SSA, July 2). The US Sailing Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship (Ida Lewis Trophy) will include a skiff fleet in 29ers this June.
If you are or someone you know is a junior sailor looking to learn the fundamentals of good sailing and sportsmanship, while going fast and having fun, sailing skiffs is a great option to consider!
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About the Author: Kim Couranz has earned several national and world titles in Laser Radials (ILCA 6), Snipes, and Lightnings. She has also raced J/22s, J/24s, and Ynglings on an international level.
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