Varsity Sailing

TRADITION

In the 1960s St. Sebastian’s had a Sailing Club that competed out of Boston. The St. Sebastian’s Sailing Team was re-established in 1995 by Dr. Christopher Rynne, Fr. John Arens, and Mr. Norman Forde. From the beginning, Arrows Sailing has established itself as a successful and competitive team within both the New England Schools Sailing Association (NESSA) and the Massachusetts Bay League, faring well in competitions with nationally ranked Sailing Teams from throughout New England.

In 1999 the Arrows had their best season, finishing with a 15-2 record, winning the Massachusetts Bay League Championships, placing third at the Massachusetts State Championships, and winning the Maine State Championships. At the NESSA Single-Handed that same year Patrick Rynne '01 took first place in the Full Rig and Dan Markham '02 took fifth place, qualifying them to participate in the Cressy National Single-Handed Championship.

Two Arrows sailors, Christopher Patterson '99 and Patrick Rynne, were honored for their heroic actions during an April 1999 meet, when they jumped into the cold ocean waters during an ISSA team race in Manchester to save an opponent who had been caught in his rig when his boat capsided. Patterson and Rynne were presented by NESSA with the Stephen B. Leslie Award for Sportsmanship and by U.S. Sailing with the Arthur B. Hansen Award.

In 2007, sailing was turned into a varsity sport at St. Sebastian's School and has medaled in various races as part of the Massachusetts Bay League.

THE PROGRAM

High School Sailing in the United States is governed by the ISSA, a division of U.S Sailing. St. Sebastian’s competes in the Northeast District NESSA and the Mass Bay League. The Sailing Team participates in two types of sailboat dinghy racing: Fleet Racing and Team Racing, a three on three boat match competing for the lowest scoring system. While the team has enjoyed tremendous success in competition, many of the members of Arrows Sailing were new to the sport upon joining the team! With a rich coaching staff, novice sailors are able to learn proper seamanship as they race competitively. In some cases novice Arrows Sailors have continued to compete in collegiate sailing! All students interested in joining the Sailing Team are welcome! Sailors are required to have either a wet suit or dry suit and a life jacket in order to participate.

For the 2016 season St. Sebastian's will join Ursuline Academy to form a composite team. Sailors practice out of Courageous Sailing in Charlestown and race in the Greater Boston Area. The team sails weather dependent three to four times a week holding most practice and competition on weekdays.

St. Sebastian's competes against a range of teams and regularly against Nobles, Natick, Dover-Sherborn, Concord Academy, Scituate, Notre Dame, Boston Latin and BB&N.

ALUMNI

Rynne '01 campaigned for a berth on the 2008 US Olympic Sailing Team in the 49er class with friend, Frank Ustach. Now a PhD student, professional kiteboarder and part-time Sailing Coach, Rynne works with other kiteboarders on promoting this class and developing rules and courses for US Sailing.

Sean Moran '97 sailed at Harvard. Chris Patterson '99 sailed at Hobart & William Smith Colleges. Dan Markham '00 sailed at Connecticut College. Patrick Manion ’02 returned to St. Sebastian’s for three seasons as Assistant Coach.