Match Racing for Junior Sailors at Oakcliff Sailing
Oakcliff’s twelve Match 40 keelboats are used for drills, clinics and regattas. There is no quicker way to increase your boat handling, knowledge of the rules and ability to work with a team than in match racing.
A Grade 4 match race event will start with a clinic on Friday, July 17, 2026, with an organizational meeting at 9:30 at 2 South Street, Oyster Bay NY, then head out to the water where competitors will be coached by Chris Kennedy on starting strategies, boat handling, and match racing rules. The day will end with a debrief and discussion with the coach.
Racing will commence Saturday through Sunday. Following racing, team will gather at 2 South Street for a debrief and discussion with fellow competitors, the umpires and the race committee. This is a critical element of the weekend, as it is where you can swap stories, practice your bar-karate, and reflect on what you learned to do (and what not to do!). Snacks and beverages available.
Dave Perry encourages youth sailors to get involved, “A Grade 4 is basically entry-level that is perfect for young sailors to give match racing, and racing the Match 40s, a try. A great situation would be an instructor possibly driving, with a team of their older students. Or an experienced older sailor with other youth sailors on board. Teams on a Match 40 are 5 or 6 people. And sailors can spend the night in the dorm upstairs at Oakcliff.”
Anyone interested may contact Patrice Rachlin, Oakcliff’s regatta director:
regatta@oakcliffsailing.org email
516-802-0368 office
516-477-4397 cell
https://www.oakcliffsailing.org/about-oakcliff web
