Registration Open for the 2026 Mid-Atlantic 29er Clinic at Island Heights Yacht Club

Brian Hull
2 days ago
2 min read

Registration Open for the 2026 Mid-Atlantic 29er Clinic at Island Heights Yacht Club

July 17-19, 2026 | Island Heights Yacht Club | Island Heights, NJ

Friends of Belmar Harbor (FOBH) is excited to announce the 2026 Mid-Atlantic 29er Clinic, a three-day developmental skiff sailing program that will take place at Island Heights Yacht Club (IHYC) from July 17-19, 2026, immediately preceding the 2026 USA Junior Olympic Mid-Atlantic Sailing Festival on July 20-21.

Hosted through a collaborative partnership between Island Heights Yacht Club, Friends of Belmar Harbor, Severn Sailing Association (SSA), and the Sailing Foundation of the Barnegat Bay (SFBB), this clinic is designed to introduce sailors to the high-performance 29er skiff while providing valuable training and preparation for Junior Olympic competition.

Learn from Experienced 29er Coaches

The clinic will feature coaching from some of the region's most experienced 29er instructors:

Eric Scherer, 29er Development Coach, Severn Sailing Association
Jimena Gonzalez, 29er Coach, Friends of Belmar Harbor
Eduardo Reyes, 29er Coach, Friends of Belmar Harbor

Whether sailors are new to skiff sailing or looking to sharpen their racing skills before the Junior Olympics, participants will benefit from hands-on coaching both on and off the water.

Clinic Focus Areas

The clinic curriculum will emphasize:

Boat Handling and Boat Speed
Starting Strategies
Regatta Preparation
Introduction to High-Performance Skiff Sailing
Teamwork and Communication in Double-Handed Boats

Boats Provided

One of the unique aspects of this clinic is that 29er boats will be provided by Friends of Belmar Harbor and Severn Sailing Association, making it possible for sailors to experience the class without owning or transporting a boat.

This provides an excellent opportunity for sailors interested in exploring high-performance sailing and learning more about the 29er pathway.

Preparing for the Junior Olympics

With the 2026 USA Junior Olympic Mid-Atlantic Sailing Festival beginning immediately after the clinic, participants will have the opportunity to apply the skills and techniques learned during the training weekend in a competitive regatta environment.

The clinic is intended to help sailors build confidence, improve performance, and gain familiarity with the fast-paced demands of skiff racing. We look forward to welcoming sailors from across New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic region to Island Heights for an exciting weekend of learning, competition, and high-performance sailing.