Right now, everyone in Raleigh is hunkered down in hopes of surviving final exams. Soon, though student's will be coming back to campus after lots of holiday excitement and a well-earned winter break. Even though it's cold out and we've wrapped up our fall season, veteran NC State Wolfpack sailors are already getting the boathouse and fleet ready to start training for the Spring ICSA regatta season and our efforts to qualify for Nationals in Newport, Rhode Island. With great things ahead, interest in race team has been overwhelming - in a good way! This fall NC State sailing hosted tryouts for co-ed and women's racing teams for their fall roster. With a few openings, we'll look to open up the roster to interested students again this spring.
Want to race sailboats in Miami? Of course you do.
Race team tryouts will be held on Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st to be held on campus and at Lake Wheeler where seniors and coaches will evaluate prospective sailors based on their overall boat handling skills, their competitiveness and racing acumen, their level of participation and drive, as well as overall fit with the team. Key characteristics that qualified sailors will possess include hard work, a positive attitude, commitment to team success, good sportsmanship and - of course - the ability to maintain their good grades.
In advance of tryouts, interested students will be given the opportunity to learn, train and get used to the boats and sailing style in several on-water sessions led by returning seniors on the team. Prospective sailors should wear appropriate clothing or bathing suits, non-marking soled shoes or dinghy boots, and sunscreen. (Sailors are also asked to bring their own refillable water bottles as the NC State sailing program is going green this season!) PFDs will be provided, but students may bring their own. Transportation to and from the lake will also be provided with pickups at Carmichael Gym 30 minutes before the listed start time. It will be cold (air & water) so you must wear appropriate winter sailing attire. If you do not have gear, please make sure to inform the coach or veteran sailors so that we will be able to provide you with the gear necessary.
On-water Training & Orientation Sessions:
Saturday, January 10: 10am-3pm
Sunday, January 11: 10am-3pm
Wednesday, January 14: 2:30pm-6pm
Friday, January 16: 2:30pm-6pm
(remember: pickup at Carmichael 30 minutes before the listed start time above)
Classroom Information Session:
Thursday, January 15, 6:30PM (Carmichael, Room 2037)
For more information, email us or see below. Here's additional information about Sailing Team tryouts:
Final rosters will be announced the week following tryouts. Once offered a spot on the roster, you must become a full member of the Sailing Club at NC State, the parent organization of our race team.
Prospective sailors can learn more about Sailing at NC State, as well as college sailing and racing through the following resources:
Books:
Getting Started in Sailboat Racing by Adam Court, Richard Stearns
Start to Win by Eric Twiname
Sail, Race and Win by Eric Twiname and Cathy Foster
The Tactics of Small Boat Racing by Stuart Walker
ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing
Videos:
NC State Sailing Chalk Talk I
NC State Sailing Chalk Talk II
US Sailing’s College Sailing Chalk Talk
Misc.:
