Tabor Sailing hits the water, hopes for another championship

Despite a 23-1 season, second place at the New England Team Race and first place at the Baker National Team Race, Tabor head sailing coach Robert Hurd isn’t counting on a repeat season.

“We’re going to be piecing things together a little different, the conditions will be different, it’s always different,” Hurd said.

This season 48 students will set sail in the school’s fleet of two person boats, including 13 seniors and 16 freshmen. The co-ed team will also have more female sailors than male for the first time.

“It’s a good thing. I think it balances us well,” Hurd said.

For some kids, the optional mini-camp running from March 23 to 26 will be the first time they’ve set sail on a boat, but Hurd said he doesn’t cut anybody.

“Everybody who wants to sail at Tabor–there’s a place for them,” Hurd said. “The hallmark of our program is if you come to Tabor and sail, you will leave a better sailor.”

Tryouts will run from March 27 to 30.

“We give kids a good chance to show their stuff,” said Hurd, but not even last year’s varsity players are guaranteed a top position.

“Having such a large group of kids keeps the competition keen,” he said. “The best kids are not afraid of competition, of making their teammates better.”

The short, but intense sailing season lasts 5 weeks with around 24 meets, followed by a month of championship games.

The team’s first competition will be as hosts of the April Fools Invite, where Tabor will face-off against four other high schools.

Hurd said he hopes for an undefeated season, though he knows there is something to be learned from the losses.

“They’ll make mistakes. Sometimes we get beaten,” he said. “Nobody is going to cry for us if we don’t win. Nobody’s going to give us anything. We have to earn it.”