The Eckerd College Triton Sailing Team is recognized as a varsity team by Eckerd College and is a part of the Waterfront Program.  Eckerd College was a founding member of the Southeastern Intercollegiate Sailing Association (SEISA). Today, the team is a strong competitor in SAISA (the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association) and is member of the ICSA (Intercollegiate Sailing Association).

Team Membership

The team consists of 12-20 skippers and 12-20 crew. Membership is open to full-time undergraduate students with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Members are selected in the beginning of the fall semester by the coaches. However, interested sailors may apply for membership throughout the school year.  Sailors chosen for membership are expected to abide by Sailing Team, Waterfront Program, and Eckerd College policies. Selection is based upon:

Skippers:

• Previous racing experience
• Sailing skills
• Dedication
• Willingness to learn and teach others
• Physical ability (The ideal total crew weight is between 250 and 300 pounds.)
• A competitive spirit
• Commitment
• Ability to work in a group
• Desire to be the best you can be

Crew:

• Previous racing experience, if any
• Dedication
• Willingness to learn and teach others
• Physical ability (The ideal total crew weight is between 250 and 300 pounds.)
• A competitive spirit
• Commitment
• Ability to work in a group
• Desire to be the best you can be
• Well conditioned, endurance, stamina (For the crew, previous sailing experience is an advantage but not a requirement.)

Practice

Because of the climate in our area, the sailing season is year round.

• Each sailor must attend practice at least twice a week.
• Practices take place in the afternoon. Sailors are encouraged to practice on their own when the Wallace Boathouse is open.
• Practice includes, but is not limited to racing, on-water drills, mental training, tactics, classroom lectures, etc.
• All sailors are expected to maintain the level of physical fitness and stamina required for practice and competition.

Equipment and Facilities

The Triton Sailing Team has the full use of numerous sailing resources of the Waterfront Program. This includes a fleet of twenty Flying Juniors, used exclusively by the Sailing Team, and fleets of 420’s and Lasers, used also by the recreational program. For sloop competition, the sailors have use of 26’ Colgates used in the recreational program. The facilities, located on Frenchman's Creek, include the Wallace Boathouse with outdoor classrooms, picnic/seating area, a snack bar and Ship's Store, multiple docks, and a boat ramp. They also include an Activities Center with classrooms fully equipped for multi-media instruction and restroom facilities with showers.

Competition

Regatta schedules are established at the beginning of each semester. A typical semester includes competition in fifteen to twenty regattas. The majority of events take place in dinghies. Some regattas are co-ed and some are for women only. The Tritons compete with the best collegiate sailors in the southeastern U. S. and have traveled to major national competitions throughout the country, such as Maryland, Massachusetts, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Louisiana. Selection of competitors for regattas is based upon performance in practice and in races.

Fees and Costs

A unique aspect and benefit of the Eckerd College Sailing Team is that team members do not pay travel expenses for out-of-town regattas. As a varsity sport, full funding is provided to support all aspects of the team, from travel costs to equipment.

If you are interested in receiving more information about team membership, click here!