The Acorn Program is Oakcliff’s signature offering.  It’s an intense, three-week residential sail training program for sailors age 15-18, unlike any on the planet.  

Introduction

The Acorn Program was designed to introduce young, promising sailors to every aspect of competitive yacht racing.  Here, sailors age 15-18 learn the skills they need to pursue sailing as a way of life.  In the mornings, Acorns attend daily classes that cover everything from match racing to diesel engine maintenance, sail repair to hull theory.  In the afternoon, they apply their new knowledge in the shop and on the water, and every evening as the sea breeze fills in, Acorns race our Swedish Match 40s, Farr 40s, or custom IRC boats.

At Oakcliff, Acorns enjoy some of the best coaching in the world.  In three weeks, they become adept match racers and have an opportunity to participate in at least one distance race.  They learn the basics of composites repair, navigation, race team management, and dozens of other skills needed to succeed in the world of yacht racing.

What’s Your Classroom Look Like?

Our primary classroom is beautiful Oyster Bay and Long Island Sound.  You’ll be out on the water every day, racing your peers and being coached by some of the best sailors in the United States.  On shore, facility resembles an America’s Cup compound.  Daily classes on the whiteboard will introduce you to navigation, leadership, sail theory and much more.  In the shop, you’ll learn fairing, splicing, winch repair, composite fabrication and other hands-on skills you’ll need to be a well-rounded member of a serious racing team.  In the yard and temperature-controlled greenhouse, you’ll learned to assemble and disassemble rigs, paint boats, and other valuable skills.

Oakcliff’s Acorn Program is the one-of-a-kind.  Internships and boat-building classes abound, but only here can you learn the myriad of skills and lessons you will need to become a racing sailor.

Schedule

This is a typical daily schedule.  Often the schedule changes to accommodate special events or good wind.

7:30 Wake up / breakfast
8:30 Class 1
10:00 Class 2
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Class 3 (usually hands-on)
2:00 Boat maintenance / individual projects
4:30 Dinner
5:30 Racing until dark

Guest Instructors

On Fridays, Oakcliff usually hosts a guest instructor who holds a special seminar.  Sometimes you’ll learn nitty-gritty details of navigating an ocean race, other times it will be the proper method for straightening a bent prop shaft.  By bringing in outside knowledge and experience, we ensure that Oakcliff’s programming stays fresh, and that cutting-edge ideas and sailors help advance our mission and our students’ learning.

A Door to College Sailing

The Acorn Program is conducted in keelboats, because most adult racers sail keelboats, because professional sailors race keelboats, and because keelboats can go offshore.  That said, the Acorn Program can be an excellent road into college sailing.  All coaches appreciate sailors who have a wide range of sailing and  boat repair skills, and Oakcliff has relationships with many college coaches,  Moreover, the leadership experience you’ll gain at Oakcliff will be immeasurably valuable to you as you tackle the college admissions process and what lies beyond.