I-14 Skiff Clinic Brings New Skills to Sailors From Near and Far

San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) has wrapped up a successful introductory skiff clinic held on the weekend of January 27-28. The clinic, organized by the US I-14 Class, welcomed a total of 18 new and semi-new skiff sailors, including some who flew in from Ohio, Seattle and San Francisco. Participants were made up of junior high and high school sailors getting their first skiff-sailing experience or stepping up from a 29er; a 68-year-old grandmother sailing from the wire for her first time; and several college and recently graduated college sailors. It was a mix of coaches and very experienced sailors joining relatively new sailors.

Bay Area sailor Aiden Mobley (also a surfer whose Mavericks story we recently shared in ‘Lectronic) was among the coaches and sent us the following wrap-up of the weekend.

“For coaching we had several of the top US I-14 sailors, both skippers and crews. Lots of National and North American, Pacific Rim champions on the coaching side.

“Saturday morning started with a welcome to the clinic, and introductions among the students who shared a little about themselves and their sailing backgrounds. We then introduced the boats and some of the International 14’s history as the oldest International dinghy class in the world. We touched on some of the many developments brought to sailing through the I-14 class, as well as some of the history of the participants in the class from around the world. It was then time for the chalk talks.

“Here we introduced some nuances of trapeze harness fit and adjustments, as well as proper techniques so as to reduce the development of poor techniques and bad habits. This was followed with footwork through the boat for tacks and jibes for both skipper and crew. We also discussed and demonstrated hoists and douses of the kite. We then talked the inevitable capsize drills and proper ways to retrieve and enter the boat without damage to the boat or yourself.”

“These skills were then practiced with on-land drills, aboard boats in cradles on the sail-drying lawn. Each participant was run through each drill numerous times so as to improve our on-water time and efficiency. Saturday afternoon was spent practicing aboard four high-end I-14s, with the sailors switching onto powerboats.”

“The skiffs were a Bieker 5 and 6 and two Hollum-designed boats, sporting both single- and double-spreader rigs. After almost four hours of relatively light air and mostly double-wire sailing, we got back to the dock for a rinse and debrief of the day’s activities. Several participants then retired to the SDYC clubhouse for refreshments and dinner.

“Sunday started with another question-and-answer period followed by more dry-land drills working on the skills learned the first day, along with some additional information. Driving from the wire and maneuvers from the driver’s perspective were a focal point. We were on the water again by 1200 and sailed out to the ocean, where a sea breeze filled in at 10-12 kts, along with a decent westerly swell out past Point Cabrillo.”

“Several more rounds were had, with the addition of another Bieker 3. All of the participants that were ready got to do some driving from the wire and learned just how twitchy these boats can be. We all made it back to the docks safely with some tired but excited sailors. Again, some debriefing and cold beverages topped off the weekend.”

“Thanks to all the participants as well as the coaching staff along with San Diego Yacht Club for welcoming the I-14 fleet to San Diego.”

Aidan Mobley hails from Playa del Rey, Southern California. He began sailing at the age of 6 and has never looked back. After moving from Sabots to Optis, he transitioned into the I-420 and 29er classes, and at 16 joined the I-14 class. He now races 49ers, 18s and cats, and competes in numerous other offshore races. You can learn more about his sailing and other activities here.

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