OCSC: Why do you sail?

SS: I sail for many reasons.  The community, being outdoors, the mental and physical challenge.  and the constant learning, and sometimes relearning.  I like sailing because it is a nice balance between the physical tactal and mental.  It also just feels good.

OCSC: What do you enjoy about working at OCSC?

SS: I enjoy passing knowledge on to people and seeing them gain skill and confidence.  I enjoy the people I teach and work with.  The constant push for all of us to expand our knowledge and skills. 

OCSC: What's your sailing background?   

SS: My first sail was in a boat that can be best described a an upside down Bell biking helmet 9ft long, on the Ohio river in Cincinnati.  I moved to The SF bay area 5 years later starting sailing in earnist.  I started sailing in dinghies and have sailed all kinds of boat from 8-71 feet.  I mostly race right now. What really sealed my love of the sport, was a job I had on a 71ft boat about 9 months after I started sailing.  I was laying on the bow with my head over the edge watching dolphins play in the bow wave, and thought to myself, 'life just can't get any better'  as I went to get up I turned my head to port and 2 whales breach less then a 1/4 mile from the boat. I looked at the sky and thought ' ok I guess it can. I have to do this for the rest of my life'.  

OCSC: When you're not sailing, what can we find you doing?  

SS: Eating, going to movies, eating, yoga, hanging out and sharing meals with friends and family, going to art museums and concerts.  Did I mention I like to eat. 

OCSC: What are your top five sailing books of all time?  

SS: Sail power by wallace Ross, A Gary Jobson book on racing tactics.  Tom Whiddens book on the art and science of sail maintaintence and repair.  Ashleys book of knots. any thing that helps my knowledge, racing in particular at the moment.