Setting a Course for Freedom: Brooke McFarlane’s Story

Bisexual - A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with pansexual. - Human Rights Campaign Age/name/years on the water/location 31, Brooke McFarlane, 14 years, wherever the hook drops! What was…Read More

McKayla Bower Pursues Adventure

Throughout her life, McKayla Bower has been in pursuit of adventure. At a young age, she could be found playing in the forest, climbing the rocks in the front yard, or 40ft up an oak tree. So, it was only natural that when she was offered a boat in 2020, she dove head-first into sailing.…Read More

Finding Her Place: Alex Makoid’s Story

On the last day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are spotlighting Alex Makoid, a college sailor at Tulane University competing in the ICSA Open Fleet Race Championship, happening this week.  Makoid was adopted from China into a white family in Sag Harbor, NY. Growing up in a white family in a…Read More

Accessibility in Cruising: How the Green Family Gained Comfort in Navigating the Waters Again

In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 18, 2023, US Sailing talked with Andrew Green and his parents Linda and Mark (Crystal River, FL) to learn how their family rediscovered their love of sailing and adapted their boat to be accessible for Andrew, who has Cerebral Palsy. Just before the pandemic began in…Read More

Honing the Edge: Matt Chao’s Story

May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To celebrate, US Sailing is profiling some of the awesome Asian American & Pacific Islander sailors in our community. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates all people with connections to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries and their valuable contributions…Read More

See the Individual, Not the Diagnosis: Lessons from Bonnie Monroe of Freedom Sailing Camp of Florida

Mikayla Pantano  In honor of Autism Awareness Month, US Sailing sat down with Bonnie Monroe of Clearwater, FL, founder of Freedom Sailing Camp of Florida, Inc. The camp provides a safe, enriching, and affordable sailing program for high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Monroe meets students where they are without asking for any diagnosis information,…Read More

Meet Your Match: A One on One with Janel Zarkowsky

In celebration of Women’s History Month, US Sailing chatted with our colleague and friend Janel Zarkowsky about her experience and success in sailing. Zarkowsky works as a Siebel Sailors Program Coach for US Sailing, as well as being a certified instructor, an assistant sailing coach at Georgetown University, and a professional sailor, having most recently…Read More

Quemuel Arroyo: Championing Accessibility in Sailing and Beyond

By Breanne Boatwright & Lexi Pline As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at US Sailing this September and October, we were fortunate to sit down with Quemuel Arroyo, Chief Accessibility Officer for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to discuss his Hispanic heritage and his experiences as a disabled sailor.  Spending summers in the Dominican Republic,…Read More

A Conversation With Lou Sandoval

US Sailing is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on…Read More

Diego Escobar: From Summer Camp to College Sailing Success

  US Sailing is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law…Read More