Airwaves Interview Series: Zander Kirkland, Newport Harbor HS Sailing Coach

Interview with Zander Kirkland Tufts University and Tabor Academy Alum and past coach for Newport Harbor High School. https://nhhs.schoolloop.com/sailingteam

 This interview was conducted by Airwaves West Coast manager Jimmy Praley:

1)      Q:  What is the difference between high school sailing on the West coast versus high school sailing on the East coast?

A:  Well, having been a participant on the East Coast and a coach out in California I can say the primary difference is that we do much more fleet racing on the West coast.  There are 5 main fleet race regattas that bring all of the top teams together so each sailor knows who is who and knows who will be fast.  Having 5 main regattas we really get to practice with different crew and skipper combinations so we go into qualifiers knowing who sails with who in most conditions.

2)      Q:  Is it primarily 420 or FJ sailing?  Any Larks?

A:  We sail FJ’s most of the time but if we know that Baker (High School Team Race Nationals) or Mallory (High School Fleet Race Nationals) is going to be in 420s then we will find a way to practice in them before the regattas.  The top high school sailors also are doing other regattas in 420s such as Orange Bowl, Mid Winters and North Americans, so they get their 420 practice in.  Is the question about Larks a joke?

3)      Q:  Yes it is…You mentioned primarily fleet racing in California, how do the teams manage to win team race nationals also?

A:  We start team racing in February and will team race once a week until Nationals.  It is nothing like sailing in New England where high school sailors will have scrimmages against other teams weekly.  The beauty is that out here, sailing is a 2 season sport so we have 2 seasons to master what New England high schools have to master in 1. 

4)      Q:  Why do so many good sailors come from California?

A:  Well first of all, the weather.  The weather is a huge incentive for the high school kids to go sailing every day.  In San Diego or Newport Beach it is sunny and 70 degrees every day.  Whereas on the East Coast, the seasons really effect the time spent on the water.  Secondly, the clinics that are out here are amazing opportunities to get one on one coaching with Olympians.  The CISA (California International Sailing Association) clinic brings not only the best coaches together, but also brings the best sailors together for days of intense training. 

5)      Q:  Why do a lot of California kids move out East for college sailing?

A:  College sailing is based primarily on the East Coast.  Whether sailing in NEISA (New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association) or MAISA (Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association) the competition is at the highest possible level.  Having gone to college in New England and sailed in NEISA, the travelling is also much less then in California which makes the East Coast more appealing for college sailing.  Also the quality of education that East Coast schools provide is another selling point.  There are some amazing schools in California and on the West Coast in general, but most of the high school kids that I coached were drawn to the East Coast colleges.  It also doesn’t hurt to get out of “la la land” for a while.

6)      Q:  Do most kids stay out east after they go to college or do they move back to California?

A:  Most move back but a few stay out on the East Coast.  I think that most people make the migration from California to the East Coast for a change of pace and college is the perfect opportunity for them to experience the difference. 

7)      Q:  What do West Coast kids think of the East Coasters?

A:  We live in a globalized community of sailing where the best kids are always seeing each other.  California sailors travel East and East Coast sailors travel west.  So the kids really know each other pretty well.  Sometimes I’ll hear about how aggressive the East Coast kids are, but it’s pretty rare.  They are all pretty close friends.

8)      Q:  What’s your view of the California sailing scene in general?

A:  As I said, the weather is conducive to year round sailing and the kids are amped on it.  When it’s sunny, 75 degrees and blowing 10 knots everyday there is no excuse for not enough time on the water.  If there is not a high school event on a weekend, the kids are taking out their 29er or laser.  They absolutely get more time on the water than the kids from the East Coast. 

J:  Thanks Zander and I appreciate it and good luck on the 49er sailing with your brother.  Keep us posted.

Z:  No problem.  I do want to say that Jimmy Praley is the coolest kid on earth!

J:  I don’t know about that…

Z:  It is all true!