Building a 29er Program That Lasts: Key Elements for Success

Big Picture Vision

One of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of launching a successful 29er program is having a clear, intentional vision from day one. It’s easy to get excited when you have boats available, a handful of sailors aging out of Optis, and plenty of enthusiasm. But a high-performance skiff program needs more than momentum — it needs direction.

Before setting schedules or ordering parts, ask yourself:

• What do you want this program to become?

• Is the goal to create a fun, skills-based environment for teens who love sailing but aren't necessarily aiming for national competition?

• Are you focused on local and regional racing, emphasizing steady development through friendly competition?

• Or are you aiming to build a high-performance travel team targeting national regattas and elite-level results?

There’s no single right answer — but knowing your “why” will guide every decision that follows: from sailor selection and training structure to equipment needs, coaching approach, and parent communication.

A clear vision doesn’t just set expectations — it creates culture. And in skiff sailing, culture is everything. Whether you’re developing future Olympians or lifelong sailors, the long-term success of your program depends on having a pathway that’s both purposeful and consistent.

Just like any good project in the business world, it’s also important to do a regular reality check to make sure you're still aligned with your original goals. This is where I’ve personally found my background in project management incredibly helpful. Over the years, I’ve applied that structured approach to build and shape several sailing programs.

In Switzerland, I had the opportunity to start a 29er program completely from scratch — with nothing more than an idea on paper. I was young and learning on the fly, and I’m still grateful for that experience. More recently, I was involved in launching a new 29er development team in Annapolis, MD, where I played more of a coaching and consulting role — a different but equally rewarding challenge.

In the past, I’ve also helped create a summer camp program focused entirely on having fun in double-handed boats (RS Fevas). That program quickly became a favorite among sailors and families after just a few summers.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about future opportunities to support and grow youth sailing.If you're thinking about launching or refining a program, feel free to reach out — I'd love to help.