Oakcliff Email, Women's Skiff Camp & USODA Development Team
Oakcliff's email has raised eyebrows, the Women's Skiff Camp is a success, and the USODA Development Team for 2024/2025 is announced -- breathtaking video of the Optimist Team Trials in San Francisco
What I’m Discussing Today:
Oakcliff’s June 6 email: Exaggerated or bad marketing; either way, it has people talking.
Women’s Skiff Camp: Phil Muller reports on the first initiative of the ODP and pipeline program.
USODA Optimist Development Program: The USODA Development Program Director Scott Lindley introduces the 2024/2025 USODA Development Team members!
Video of the Week: The Optimist Team Trials, hosted by the San Francisco Yacht Club, is beautifully captured in a video that showcases the essence of sailing in San Francisco Bay and the pure joy of Optimist racing.
Oakcliff June 6th email - “Rebuilding the Pipeline”
Pipeline Decimated -
Oakcliff is on the front lines of training in all areas, perhaps the most challenging being the High Performance program. Tragically, just as we were starting to rebuild after the pandemic, a senseless lawsuit decimated the already fragile pipeline of high performance sailors with Olympic aspirations.
We have created an incredible summer of re-building, but we need everyone's help in reaching interested parties. That means coaches, parents, schools, class administrators, mentors, and friends of young sailors: we need your help to connect.
When I say "we," I mean, Oakcliff, Quantum Racing powered by American Magic, The Sailing Foundation of New York, Windmark, America One Racing, Sail Pensacola and the Pensacola Yacht Club, The New York Yacht Club, SailGP, the Port of LA, the sailing communities of San Diego, San Francisco and the Los Angeles areas, families, clubs, classes, individuals and coaches, and frankly most sailing media and caring sailors all across this country. There is one entity missing in any sort of collaboration and that needs to change. In the meantime we are pleading with you to help us recruit possible 49er, 49erFx, Nacra 17, ILCA (Laser) 6 & 7 and 470 Sailors.
For 2028 we need to fill the pipeline today. It begins in your hometown, moves quickly to Oakcliff, which offers residential summer training, including physical fitness, nutrition, and possibly most importantly, a site with supplied equipment and all of the facilities and coaches and the option to try out multiple classes in one setting.
If we have any hope of not embarrassing ourselves in 2028 we need your help NOW.
Sailors, coaches, parents, and interested parties received an email from the Oakcliff Foundation this week titled “Rebuilding the Pipeline,” which has caused quite a stir. The email newsletter refers to a coalition of outside foundations, yacht clubs, and other sailing organizations supporting Olympic sailors. This alleged coalition aims to address and solve the current pipeline challenge in the Olympic Development Program (ODP). Ironically, the managers of one of the organizations mentioned were the primary cause of the failed pipeline and ODP, yet they are now being touted as part of the solution.
Oakcliff, a quasi-commercial entity, financially supports Olympic sailing by offering prize money at its Triple Crown regattas and offering paid clinics for sailors to experience sailing in Olympic boats.
They fail to recognize the current developments and prospects of the new US Sailing team, which is on a promising path and making solid progress in rebuilding the pipeline and ODP programs and regaining the trust of the sailors and supporters.
Various interest groups like Oakcliff should work to unite into a cohesive and supportive organization, but this should occur after the new high-performance director has had a chance to implement his plan. Instead of crying wolf, let’s all work together to benefit the sailors.
Women’s Skiff Camp - Report by Phil Muller
Olympian Paris Henken joins Rosie Chapman as a coach for Miami's four-day Women’s Skiff Camp.
We’ve just wrapped up the women’s 49erFX camp in Miami, led by Paris Henken and Rosie Chapman. Ten women from all regions of the country participated in the camp that started on Thursday and ran through Sunday.
The camp's vision is to expand programming for women in high-performance sailing, which is a core value of the Pathway and Olympic Development Program (ODP). A top priority is “data retention,” ensuring knowledge is passed from generation to generation, continually building on strengths.
“What I fundamentally believe in when it comes to building a successful program is retention and knowledge sharing. Which is why I asked Olympians Nikki Barnes and Paris Henken to join. Having Paris here working with this group of athletes and demonstrating her world-class skills firsthand is eye-opening for all of us. For me, my vision was female outreach and knowledge sharing. It is certainly happening.” said Chapman.
Culture building is at the heart of what’s been happening these past few days. The ten participating sailors have been sharing tips, trying different techniques, and learning from each other with youthful vibrancy. These athletes are instinctive mentors, and working in this tight-knit group is a seachange from camps like this in the past.
Paris led classroom conversations and taught technique daily. She has been involved with the FX since its inception, and her knowledge-sharing made a significant impact while sailing with everyone at the camp. Paris brought excitement, passion, hard work, and drive to each situation. Her leadership and generous spirit are a gift.
“I’m privileged to be able to go out on the water and do this,” says Henken. “Girls these days are in a very good position to gain a lot of knowledge. When I entered the boat, I had some great mentors. All of these girls look up to us as sailors, and I think we have a duty to pass this knowledge on.” says Henken.
Paris crewing for Kelly, teaching her helming techniques
Olympian Nikki Barnes joined us to share her top-level experience. “There’s a ton of different ladies here. Everyone came together for the love of sailing. We came together because we wanted to learn. I even learned some points that I can apply to the 470 as well.”
For those who missed this camp, don’t worry; there will be many more opportunities to attend future camps.
Rosie reflecting on her first FX initiative
"It went phenomenally well. The culture was excellent, and the focus on each sailor, combined with the class-specific expertise of Paris and the support of Phil in the coachboat, was outstanding. Working alongside Paris this week and witnessing her passion, knowledge, and dedication firsthand was a golden opportunity for all of us, including myself and Phil. Her technical knowledge of setting up the rig and sail shape is incredibly advanced and sets a high starting point for the incoming FX sailors," remarks Chapman. "I am very impressed with the talent and hard work we are seeing, and I look forward to meeting more sailors as we continue to grow and move forward."
We thank Mary Lattimore for her generous donation to support this important initiative.
ILCA 6 camp in New Bedford - June 12-16
Next week, Rosie and I will run the ILCA 6 camp in New Bedford for 19 youth sailors, including US Sailing Team members Charlotte Rose and Lillie Myers, after completing the ILCA North American Championships.
USODA Optimist Development Program
On May 10th, the USODA announced their 2024/2025 Development Team members. Visit their Facebook page to see their amazing work this year, including their support for sailors and the outstanding coaches who expertly develop young bodies and minds. USODA Development Team
