Siebel Sailors Program​

The Siebel Sailors Program seeks to increase opportunity and diversity in the sport of sailing. By developing resources and offering support to youth sailors from all backgrounds US Sailing will work closely with Siebel Centers to develop skilled and life-long sailors who can participate in all aspects of the sport by providing access to equipment, athlete development resources, and expert coaching at public access sailing centers across the country. US Sailing and the Siebel Centers around the country are working together to create more equal access opportunities for youth.

What is the Siebel Sailors Program?

It is a method of modern positive and inclusive coaching techniques combined with the support of a US Sailing employed coach, a safety boat, and a fleet of RS Fevas. The Siebel Sailors program aims to bridge the participation gap among 10-14 year olds, a group that tends to leave sailing, and to encourage participation among populations and demographics that are under-represented in the sport generally. The program will do this by emphasizing positive, 21st-century coaching techniques, providing a diverse and dynamic youth sports experience, and developing the skills needed to continue lifelong participation in the sport.

Who can participate?

The short answer is just about anyone, but at least 50% of sailors in the Program will represent youth who have historically been underrepresented in the sailing community. Siebel Centers will recruit sailors from diverse backgrounds of race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or any other status protected by law.

TISC’s Generous Scholarships Apply to ALL Youth Programming including Siebel Sailors Programming

For more information email manager@tisailing.org (or click More Info below).

Siebel Sailors Program at TISC

TISC will begin to implement the Siebel Sailors’ coaching method throughout its junior sailing programs. These modern 21 st century techniques empower youth by providing positive coaching while encouraging youth to engage in their own learning. Although TISC has been a leader in this style of coaching for years, the Siebel Program along with its coach, will provide the necessary support and resources to standardize these methods and solidify them within TISC’s culture. Additionally, US Sailing’s ‘Skill-Up” application, a coaching tool which provides resources for coaches and tracks student development, will begin to be implemented across all TISC’s formal courses.

Spring and Fall Siebel Coach at TISC

During the ‘shoulder’ sailing seasons, TISC will integrate RS Feva’s into its Intermediate and Advanced courses for 10-14 year olds. Traditionally, these courses have been in Optimists however, with the help of US Sailing’s full-time coach, TISC will now offer these youths the ability to train alone in an Opti and with a teammate on a double handed RS Feva.

Summer Camp Siebel Coach at TISC

(2) 1- Week Courses: TISC will offer youth 10—14 years’ old who have taken at least one Intermediate course the opportunity to work with US Sailing’s Siebel coach in our newest program Introduction to Double-Handed Sailing. This course will be led by US Sailing’s coach, and youth will have the opportunity to learn to sail with a partner in one of the newest and most exciting sailboats designed for kids this age. Youth will engage in the Siebel method and train with one of the Bay Area’s best youth coaches. Youth will also get a 1 year US Sailing membership and will be tracked in the Skill-Up App.

Summer Camp Siebel Coach at TISC

(2) 1- Week Courses: TISC will offer youth 10—14 years’ old who have taken at least one Intermediate course the opportunity to work with US Sailing’s Siebel coach in our newest program Introduction to Double-Handed Sailing. This course will be led by US Sailing’s coach, and youth will have the opportunity to learn to sail with a partner in one of the newest and most exciting sailboats designed for kids this age. Youth will engage in the Siebel method and train with one of the Bay Area’s best youth coaches. Youth will also get a 1 year US Sailing membership and will be tracked in the Skill-Up App.
(2) 1-Week Courses: TISC will offer youth 10—14 years’ old who have taken at least one advanced course the opportunity to work with US Sailing’s Siebel coach in our newest program Introduction to Double Handed Racing. This course will be led by US Sailing’s coach, and youth will have the opportunity to learn to sail with a partner in one of the newest and most exciting sailboats designed for kids this age. Youth will engage in the Siebel method and train with one of the Bay Area’s best youth coaches. Youth will also get a 1 year US Sailing membership and will be tracked in the Skill-Up App.

How is US Sailing implementing the Siebel Sailors Program?

US Sailing is partnering directly with existing public access sailing organizations across the country to implement programming. Through an open applications system, Siebel Centers were selected by a working group of experts from the fields of community sailing, coaching, foundation & grant making, and diversity and inclusion. Each Center receives RS Feva XL sailboats, professional development, data collection tools, a shared Zodiac RIB coach boat, and a US Sailing Siebel Coach for the program.
The Program’s five core values – RESPECT, EFFORT, INCLUSIVENESS, STUDENT VOICE and FUN – manifest each day through Habits of Excellence, actions that sailors take to demonstrate those values. Informed by the latest research in positive youth development and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s American Development Model, the Siebel Sailors Program helps youth set up a growth mindset for lifelong play and problem-solving beyond sports

Fun: We are free to find our own enjoyment and play within a supportive community.

Effort: We do our best every day.

Respect: We grow appreciation and responsibility for ourselves, our team, and the sailing environment.

Student Voice: We speak up and collaborate with each other to shape our own learning and sailing experiences.

Sailing is for Everyone: We support an inclusive community with diverse activities that encourage everyone to participate.

All Siebel Sailors Programs teach dinghy skills in the RS Feva, an innovative, performance two-person dinghy. Due to its modern planning design and asymmetrical spinnaker, it is designed to promote more of the skills that sailors need to continue sailing in other boats and other disciplines.
Ultimately, the Siebel Sailors Program aims to attract new youth to the sport and help them participate longer by stressing the value of positive coaching and celebrating the diversity of sailing and the people who participate.

Mister Childers' Boat House