Advice & Inspiration
Advice & Inspiration
Harken Blockheads Downunder
Heidi Bates (16) and Orlando Sadlik (18) are into their second season together on the 13ft skiff. They
Advice & Inspiration
Spectrum Sailing’s Mission to Get More Kids Sailing
Like a lot of successful organizations Spectrum Sailing was born modestly—out of necessity in Charleston, SC. Founder Scott
Advice & Inspiration
Inside an AC40 Simulator with Harry Melges IV
Harry Melges IV welcomes us to Barcelona! Harken Blockhead Harry Melges IV gives us an inside look at
Advice & Inspiration
Blockheads in the America’s Cup!
You read that right—Harken Blockheads are sailing in the America’s Cup! One of them is Riley Gibbs, a
Advice & Inspiration
Harken Blockheads Comes To France
Viva La Future! Harken has provided equipment At The Front since 1967. But designing and building world-class hardware
Advice & Inspiration
What is Match Racing? Zac West Breaks It Down!
Meet Zac West, winner of the 2023 Harken Youth International Match Racing Championship that was held out of
Advice & Inspiration
Rules Expert Dave Perry in Pewaukee
Renowned sailing expert Dave Perry visited the Inland Lake Yachting Association (ILYA) at Harken HQ in Pewaukee, Wisconsin,
Advice & Inspiration
Leeward Mark Rounding Advice from Sam Whaley
On our Instagram stories, we asked the Harken Blockheads what they would do coming into the leeward mark
Advice & Inspiration
Olympians in Pewaukee Starring Steph Roble
When Olympic sailors are in Wisconsin, we hope they stop by. When they were born in Wisconsin, we
Advice & Inspiration
Blockheaded Advice from Hattie Rogers
Blockheaded Advice from Hattie Rogers: Especially when you’re starting out, say yes to every opportunity. Keep enjoying your
Advice & Inspiration
It’s 96 Degrees in the Shade…Time to Think Iceboating!
Ice waits for no one. Harken Marketing Intern Samuel Bartel is obsessed with ice sailing. To him, hard
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Respect the Leeboard
Photo by Bronny Daniels Harken Blockheads took to Junior Sabot Nationals to give sailors the tools, skills, and
Advice & Inspiration
Tour Harken!
Hey MTV, welcome to our crib! We thought you blockheads would enjoy seeing where the magic happens. C’mon
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Sabot Nationals Photos
We took tons of photos. And we’re making them available to you. We have no plans for them other
Advice & Inspiration, Boat Tours
I Love the Naples Sabot
by Riley Gibbs Alamitos Bay Yacht Club’s junior program started at age six. They wouldn’t let me in
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
No Tears!
The first-year sailors of the Inland Lakes Yachting Association gathered on Lake Beulah on Monday for the ‘No
Advice & Inspiration
Blockheads Lightning Youth Worlds
45 blockheads from all over the world duked it out on the freshwater race course of Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Advice & Inspiration
A Note on Leadership & Character
by Gordy Bowers The following checklist and suggestions should get you started thinking about what it means to
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
29th Harken Youth International Match Racing Cup
“The Harken,” as it is known in youth match racing circles worldwide, stands out as one of the
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
2022 Harken New Zealand National Secondary Schools Keelboat Championship
Video by Live Sail Die The 2022 Harken New Zealand National Secondary Schools Keelboat Championships after movie is
Advice & Inspiration
No Experience Needed To Dive Into A Marine Services Career
The ‘unknown’ is something we often fear and are wary of. We often find the familiarity of our
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Let’s Talk Tokyo
In less than a month, the curtain opens on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We sat down with 470
Advice & Inspiration, Boat Tours, Rigging, Tuning, and Splicing
Innovation At The Front
Every quad, Cup, round-the-world race, and major world championship, Harken is listening — We’re on the docks chatting
Advice & Inspiration, Boat Tours
Iceboating: Before it all melts…
When was the last time you clocked in at 100 mph in your sailboat when the breeze was
Advice & Inspiration
A Day in the Life of an 11th Hour Racing Team Intern
Cullen Zelenka joined the 11th Hour Racing Team for eight weeks as an intern from Oakcliff Sailing. Led
Advice & Inspiration, Boat Tours
Tour an America’s Cup Base
Follow INEOS Team UK Grinder Graeme Spence through the team’s base as they attempt to be the first
Advice & Inspiration, Safety
Rescue at Sea
For any sailor, catastrophic hull failure is bad enough. But when you’re in the middle of the ocean
Advice & Inspiration
How does an inventor tick?
A CONVERSATION WITH THE INVENTOR OF MARKSETBOT, THE WORLD’S FIRST ROBOTIC SAILING BOUY Kevin Morin is the first
Advice & Inspiration
Spence Sense
Step inside the world of an America’s Cup grinder, Graeme Spence. In these exclusive interviews with Graeme Spence
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Keeping It Fair and Square
Before most major international one-design class championships, competitors’ boats must pass a measurement check to ensure it complies
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Harken Blockheads Day
Pure happiness. That’s what happens when a group of Blockheads gets a chance to sail on a VO65
Advice & Inspiration
Advice from Peter Harken
Hi Blockheads, You are in one of the most physical and brain-challenging sports including patience and perseverance, but
Advice & Inspiration
Liftoff for Kōtare
The brand new AC9F Youth America’s Cup yacht, Kōtare, is flying high in Auckland! Purpose-built for the event,
Advice & Inspiration
THE GRINDHOUSE RULES
In the America’s Cup, it’s mission-critical to maximize efficiency in the AC75 cockpit – both in aerodynamics (how
Advice & Inspiration
What We’re Learning: Youth Sailing During Uncertain Times
Blockheads visited the Chicago Yacht Club Sailing School to learn about their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear
Advice & Inspiration
Ask A Rockstar: Paige Railey
Paige Railey is one of the most accomplished Laser Radial sailors of all time. The two-time Olympian, two-time
Advice & Inspiration
Getting Creative in Quarantine
Most are not on the water right now, but Blockheads are a creative bunch who absolutely love sailing.
Advice & Inspiration
Sailing Activities For Social Distancing
It’s a beautiful day in the boatyard! Welcome to Mr. Childers’ Boat House! Coach Chris Childers from US
Advice & Inspiration
Ask A Rockstar: Kyle Langford
At just 30 years old, Kyle Langford is an inspiring all-around sailor with a massive amount of high-end
Advice & Inspiration
Ask A Rockstar: Bianca Cook
Bianca Cook is a certified powerhouse. She’s logged over 70,000 offshore miles in recent years, racing all kinds
Advice & Inspiration, Boat Tours
Try eSailing
Still have the unscratchable itch to go sailing? It might be a good time to try eSailing. Play
Advice & Inspiration
Stuck at home? Try these America’s Cup projects.
Stuck at home? Need a project? Ask your parents about this STEM learning project from INEOS Team UK,
Advice & Inspiration
Ask A Rockstar: Rome Kirby
Rome Kirby is one of the best sailors of his generation. He’s leading a talented team of young
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Harken Youth Match Racing World Championship
Australian James Hodgson and his crew of Harry Hall, Louis Schofield and Nick Rozenauers, have been crowned HARKEN
Advice & Inspiration
Ask A Rockstar: Jason Waterhouse
Olympic Medalist Jason Waterhouse seems to be everywhere these days. Last week, he was on the podium at
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
28th Harken Youth International Match Racing Cup
The next generation of match racers is active, passionate, and ready for battle. The Royal New Zealand Yacht
Advice & Inspiration
Ask A Rockstar: Kinley Fowler
Kinley Fowler worked his way up to rockstar status. After years of successful racing, his professional career was
Advice & Inspiration, Boat Tours
Oakcliff: Meet the Fleet
Oakcliff Sailing Center owns 105 boats. Nacra 17s, 49ers, beautiful wooden boats, Waszps, Swedish Match 40s, Melges 24s,
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Ask A Rockstar
Today, they are some of sailing’s rockstars. At the front. Foiling, Skiffing, Podium—ing all over the world. But
Advice & Inspiration
Two Oakcliff Pathways
There’s something for everyone at Oakcliff. Cat Chimney and Ethan Johnson came to Oakcliff in very different ways.
Advice & Inspiration
These students want to design the world’s fastest sailboat
This group of students is on a mission to make the world’s fastest sailboat. They aim to claim
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Monaco International Optimist Team Race
Some of the best Optimist racing teams in the world just wrapped up the Monaco International Optimist Team
Advice & Inspiration
5 Reasons Why All Kids Should Sail
There might be nothing in the world that packs as many life lessons as the activity of sailing.
Advice & Inspiration
Advice for Making a Living in Sailing
Even if you’re not an America’s Cup level tactician or grinder, there is a career path possible for
Advice & Inspiration
Pep Costa Vlog — Part Three
Three months ago, Pep Costa left La Rochelle, France and begun his journey on the Mini-Transat. We interviewed
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
The Draw of Offshore Racing
Beau Geste, a MOD70 Trimaran, blasted to a new race record in New Zealand’s PIC Coastal Classic coastal
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
OAKCLIFF: A Blockheads Documentary
Oakcliff Sailing is on a mission to build American leaders through sailing. What is Oakcliff? A nonprofit, a
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
27th Harken Intl. Youth Match Racing Championship
“The Harken,” as it is known in youth sailing circles worldwide, stands out as one of the premier
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Watch Solo Sailor Pep Costa’s Mini Transat Vlog
A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Pep Costa, a 20-year-old singlehanded offshore racer who raced in
Advice & Inspiration
What’s an OBR?
Dubbed ‘the toughest job in sports media,’ the Onboard Reporter (OBR) is a position that’s unique to sailing’s
Advice & Inspiration
Boat Yoga…It’s a Thing
When the breeze drops to zero, a lot of sailors head for the docks, but Coach Willie McBride
Advice & Inspiration, Boat Tours
Meet Pep Costa—Solo Sailor
Published October 28, 2019 Pep Costa is a singlehanded offshore racer who dreams of someday competing in the
Advice & Inspiration
Iceboat Racing—Explained
The folks at Waterlust produced this video in 2015 on Lake Baikal in Siberia, the largest lake in
Advice & Inspiration
Meet Olympic hopefuls
Meet US and Canadian Olympic hopefuls in this new video from Oakcliff Sailing. The Oakcliff Triple Crown Series
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Catching up with the Youth Match Racing World Champions
Learn how to prepare for success from the 2019 Youth Match Racing World Champions — Tom Grimes, Jess
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Big Regatta Opti-Village: What’s Going On Over There?
It takes a village to bring hundreds of Opti kids together for an event. What happens when a
Advice & Inspiration
Step Up to the America’s Cup Test Bench at Harken
Mechanical Engineer Drew Kosmoski brings Harken Blockheads up to speed on what his job entails today: improving the
Advice & Inspiration
America’s Cup STEM Principles
The America’s Cup is a technology race. Find out why the grinders will be so important and learn
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Opti Green Fleet Experience
What’s it like to get started in the Opti? USODA Executive Director Genoa Fedyszyn shows Harken Blockheads what
Advice & Inspiration
Meet Harken the Dog
Meet Harken. She’s a dog. Harken knows what to do when she hits the mark. Watch her do
Advice & Inspiration
Life Lessons from Sailing
Harken Blockheads celebrates kids who are into rigging, boat maintenance, tuning, and using tools — for gains, both
Advice & Inspiration
Crossing the Atlantic on an IMOCA 60
Greta Thunberg is an inspiration! The Swedish 16-year old crossed the Atlantic with Team Malizia II onboard their
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Blockheads Do Opti Nationals
The Blockheads Team was boots-on-the-ground at the 2019 USODA National Championship dishing out rigging tricks & tips, getting
Advice & Inspiration, Maintenance & Repair
Take It From A Blockhead: Gustavo Alonso
We caught up with Gustavo Alonso, a Harken Blockheads member from Key Biscayne Yacht Club, during the 2019
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
First Blockhead to the Island
Step onboard with Aiden Martin, the first Harken Blockhead Member to the Island. At age 14, Aiden is
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Pre-Regatta Postcard from Poland!
Gdynia welcomes the world’s best youth sailors for the 2019 Hempel Youth Sailing World Championships For more info,
Advice & Inspiration, Boat Tours
A Blockhead Tours Harken
Advice & Inspiration
Part Science. Part Art. Producing Custom Parts at Harken
Small Boat sailors think of Harken for parts like ratchet blocks and travelers and cam cleats. But we
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Blockheads Do Sarasota Youth SailFest
The Blockheads team visited Sarasota Youth Sailing‘s 32nd Annual SailFest regatta to spread the good word of rigging
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Olympic Insights for Blockheads
Hear about the journey of Polish 470 sailors and Blockheads Ambassadors Agnieszka Skrzypulec and Jolanta Ogar as they
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Hello From Chile!
Thanks to our awesome partner Windmade, Harken Blockheads officially launched in Chile at the National Sailing School Championships
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
26th Harken Intl. Youth Match Racing Championship
The 26th Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship is in the books! Four days of intense competition culminated
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
O Canada!
Tucked away along the mountainous coast of British Columbia is the West Vancouver Yacht Club, host of the
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Fly-By at Put-in-Bay
The Blockheads team visited Put-in-Bay, Ohio for the 63rd Junior Bay Week to see just what this famous
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Blockheads Do The Dinghy Race
The Dinghy Race is unlike any other youth sailing event. Throwing out the typical windward leeward playbook, the
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Build It and They Will Come
Most sailors dream of building their own boat. What would it look like? How would it sail? What
Advice & Inspiration
Peter Burling on His Youth Years
The Blockheads team caught up with Olympic gold medalist, America’s Cup champion, and two-time World Sailor of the Year,
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Blockheads Do Newport!
The sailing capital of the U.S. knows how to put on a show, and this week was no
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Youth Sailors Take Flight in Sydney
A group of eight Australian youth sailors spent two days learning the ins and outs of foiling from some
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
25th Harken Intl. Youth Match Racing Championship
In a first for a Japanese representative team, rising match racing talent Leonard Takahashi and his crew claimed
Advice & Inspiration
Blockheads Gear is Here!
We’re pleased to introduce this collection of unique gear and accessories that will keep you looking good on
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Hobie Days at the 32nd Piñata Regatta
Each October, as Harken HQ prepares for winter, Hobie sailors from Tucson Fleet 514 hitch-up their trailers for
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Follow the journey of Annie Samis and Peter Barnard, two awesome Blockheads. They went from true-blue Opti sailors,
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Blockheads Go The Distance
This summer, five local Chicago yacht clubs teamed up for the first ever Chicago Junior Race Week. The
Advice & Inspiration
Words of Wisdom from an Olympic Icon
Few sailors have enjoyed such a long and successful career as Robert Scheidt. Claiming 12 world championships and
Advice & Inspiration
Ice Boating: Sailing on Hardwater
At Harken HQ in Wisconsin, if the water is hard, we still go sailing! This video features Steve
Advice & Inspiration, Regatta
Blockheads at the Orange Bowl Regatta
Offering a little bit of everything, the 2016 Orange Bowl Regatta at Miami’s Coral Reef Yacht Club was
Advice & Inspiration
Storming Through The Southern Ocean
Ocean racer Alex Thomson rockets through the remote Southern Ocean. This was the first time that boats racing
Advice & Inspiration
Opti Launches Off Wave
An Opti achieves maximum velocity surfing down a big wave. Video by the Club Maritimo de Canido in
Advice & Inspiration
Old Dog, New Trick
With some foil modifications, this Laser hits over 19 knots of boat speed! Nowadays, people are converting all types of
Advice & Inspiration
It’s a Trap!
In this great article for Sailing World, US Olympian and 470 crew Dave Hughes dives into the fine details
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