Oakcliff’s High-Performance Acorn Program
Throughout the summer, Oakcliff Sailing Center offers a series of clinics called the Acorn Program. Oakcliff’s philosophy is to develop every aspect of the sailor from technical knowledge and sailing skills to personal fitness and nutrition. The High-Performance Acorn Program lasted two weeks, from July 1st-14th, with fifteen athletes in attendance. The Acorn coaches were Mike Easton, an expert in multihull sailing, recently finishing 2nd at the US Nacra 17 Olympic Trials. The Program also welcomed Kevin Jewett who coached the 49er and Carolina Jewett, the program’s nutritionist.
Mike and Kevin worked with the sailors on the water, while Carolina provided guidance as they cooked together each day. The sailors learned how to make their own granola, hummus and other healthy meals. To further prepare for their on-the-water training, the sailors participated in daily workouts led by Steve Gourlay of Hammer Athletics and Chris O’Toole, a private trainer.
During practice out on the water, the kids trained on high performance boats under the instruction of Easton and Jewett. The coaches had the kids sailing all types of high performance boats, from Melges 24s to 49ers.
The Acorn Program allows youth sailors to not only experience high performance boats, but also a taste of what campaigning might feel like. A huge part of sailing is in fitness and nutrition, in order to perform at the highest level. Not only are these high performance boats in design, but also in the physicality involved in their handling. The Acorn Program provides sailors with a high-performance camp while also providing campaign management skills. Oakcliff also offers financial aid for all of its Acorn programs.
These programs are a fantastic asset to the Long Island Sound if you’re interested, check out their site here.
Above: Sailors trained in a variety of high performance boats including Melges 24s. From left – Jackson Connell, Travis Carlisle, Lau Busch-Peterson, Madeleine Montagner, Evan Langford
