Dear Balboa Yacht Club Maritime Sciences And Seamanship Foundation,
From the beginning to the end, the CISA Clinic was the experience of a lifetime. Each morning commenced with a brief group meeting, with all the C420, I420, 29er, Laser and Laser Radial sailors filling countless rows of chairs, all listening intently as our daily schedule was presented. After the meeting, we would all struggle down the narrow stairway leading to the ground floor, before heading to the beach for a hard workout on the sand. Only when our bodies were trembling with fatigue, and our faces were a deeper red than the Jr. Life guard shorts some of the sailors were wearing, were we allowed to make our shambling way back to meet with our three coaches, Joey Mello, Jackson Benvenutti and Adam Corpuz-Lahne, and into our seats for the morning lecture. After a few hours, it was time to make our way out to our boats to finish rigging for the day ahead.
Through a combination of on land-discussion and on-the-water physical experimentation, we covered a myriad of subjects ranging from the rules of the road, to the precise uses of each control line (of which there are many)—specifically regarding the leach tension of the jib in relation to rake of the mast. Throughout our hours of on-the-water training, we were pushed to experiment with our boats as we learned exactly what they are capable of and what is required to sail them to their full potential. Throughout those four intense days, we covered many drills, each more demanding than the last, including an hour and a half-long cone drill, a mile long blast reach slalom, and a drill called the Final Four, which was a compilation of multiple races in which each team vied to been one of the top four teams in the final race.
All in all, the CISA Clinic exceeded my highest expectations, sending me home with a body full of sore muscles, a whole new understanding of the finer points of sailing, and a glimpse into the world of professional sailing.
Thank you very much for your generous funding for the CISA Advanced Racing Clinic 2016. Because of your funding, I was able to attend the clinic, and am happy to say that I learned an incredible amount of new sailing skills and material, that I will continue to apply to my sailing training in the years to come. I had an amazing time training with fellow sailors at such a high level, and was able to get to know many new coaches with whom I am still in correspondence! Training at the CISA Clinic was an eye opening and life changing experience, and I cannot thank you enough for your contribution which allowed me to attend the clinic.
Thank you
-Catherine Reynolds