JK Sailing Journal
Coaching Articles
Writing on youth sailing coaching, program development, and what it actually takes to build better sailors — for coaches, program directors, and parents alike.
What 20 Years of Coaching Optimist Sailors Taught Me
After two decades coaching young sailors, the most important lessons aren't about race results — they're about process, character, and what we're really building.
August 7, 2026
What Fun Actually Means in Youth Sailing
Most people think fun in sailing means variety. After 20 years coaching junior sailors, I'd argue the opposite — and getting it wrong makes sailors worse.
August 7, 2026
Why Positive Feedback Is the Most Powerful Tool a Sailing Coach Has
Correction feels productive. But in youth sailing, positive feedback given accurately and often is what actually moves sailors forward — not constant correction.
August 7, 2026
Why What You Say to a Sailor — and When You Say It — Changes Everything
Knowing what a sailor needs to fix isn't enough. The words you choose and the moment you choose them determine whether the feedback actually lands.
August 7, 2026
The Difference Between a Sailor Who Can Tack and a Sailor Who Knows How to Tack
Practice-level and truly learned are two very different things. Here's what it takes to build a sailing skill that holds up under real racing pressure.
August 7, 2026
Why Rigging Is the First Thing a Good Sailing Program Gets Right
Rigging isn't glamorous, but it's one of the clearest signals of whether a sailing program has real standards — and whether those standards are being taught.
August 7, 2026
How to Build Accountability on the Dock Without Punishment
Punishment and accountability aren't the same thing. Here's what real accountability looks like in a junior sailing program — and why the difference matters.
August 7, 2026
What to Look for When Hiring a Junior Sailing Coach
Sailing ability and coaching ability are two different things. Here's what actually matters when hiring someone to lead your junior sailing program.
August 7, 2026
Why Most Junior Sailing Programs Plateau After Year Two
Year one always looks like progress. Year two is where a lot of programs quietly stop improving. Here's what's usually behind it — and what to do about it.
August 7, 2026
What Separates a Good Youth Sailing Season from a Great One
Race results are easy to measure. But the real difference between a good sailing season and a great one comes down to something harder to see — and more important.
August 7, 2026
Why Less Feedback on the Water Can Produce Better Sailors
More feedback isn't always better. At a certain point, constant coaching creates dependency. Here's when stepping back produces stronger, more independent sailors.
August 7, 2026