Next program runs in September, 2023. Contact us for details and current availbility.
Offshore Racing Seminars
There is absolutely no other program like this. Anywhere.
Offshore racing appeals to many different people for many different reasons. Sometimes it is the challenge of working against the elements. For others, it is the thrill of making passages to new destination. Or possibly it is the sustained thrill of sailing a quick boat against some of the best teams in the sport of sailing. Or maybe it is a combination of all of these.
For many day sailors and buoy racers, it can be difficult to make the transition into offshore racing. The boats are more complex. The sail programs are extensive. And life onboard requires some forethought and acclimation. J/World has a program just for you. If you are looking to do your own offshore events, or you are hoping to crew aboard with a team in a distance event, we can assist in making you a better, faster, and safer sailor.
Our offshore racing training program spends a series of days going over offshore safety requirements, best practices, sail selection, sail handling, optimal course routing, and onboard equipment before we set off on a real passage. Most of our programs begin in San Francisco before making the 500 mile run to San Diego. Three of our professional coaches and six clients provides an instructor to student ratio that is unparalleled. Everyone receives significant personal attention, and the opportunity to participate in all aspects of racing the yacht.
Training is conducted onboard our offshore racing yacht, the famous Hula Girl. This highly modified Santa Cruz 50+ was turboed under the supervision of Bruce Nelson. She sports an updated carbon rig, a modern bulb keel, and new rudder. She was most recently the personal boat of Paul Cayard, one of the most successful racers in yachting history, and completed an extensive refit in 2013. For more on this incredible boat, visit here.
The J/World offshore yacht racing training program is run about once per year, with the next course scheduled for a start date of September, 2019. The seminar will begin in San Francisco Bay with three days of local practice and coaching. We will then set off for a 500 mile offshore race practice, our ‘course’ being from San Francisco to San Diego. Enrollment is limited to six participants, so interested parties are encouraged to contact us for further details.
“I wanted to thank you for a wonderful trip and the experience of a lifetime. I was and remain extremely impressed with all the preparation and hard work that you put in to make this trip a success for the students. I took from this experience not only a great deal of knowledge on ocean sailing, but also increased confidence in my ability as a sailor.” – MC, after the 2008 Pacific Cup
J World Offshore Racing – 2012 San Deigo to Puerto Vallarta Race
About J World Offshore Programs
There are no other programs in the world like this. Period.
The offshore programs put together and managed by J/World are absolutely unique in the world of yachting. You are a truly active and integral member of an actual racing team. We don’t load the boat with clients to the point where no one gets to do anything. We won’t just park you over a grinding pedestal We aren’t just taking you for a ride like so many big boat programs. You are sailing the boat. You get to drive, trim, navigate… whatever your interests are, we’ll be sure that you get to exercise that muscle.
For most programs, we limit enrollment to six clients. With three coaches aboard, that’s a 2:1 ratio which means everyone aboard gets a ton of personal attention from our extremely experienced staff.
These programs are fully turn-key, and managed by a team of sailors who are hand selected for both their extensive sailing background, and their ability to coach well and share their knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm with others. The afloat staff is supported by our expert shore team, insuring that you have the time of your life.
The boat is owned by J/World. This is crucial… it is not some charterboat that we tap into for occasional use. It is our boat, campaigned regularly by our team. To you, this means that the equipment is on absolutely top condition, the boat is maintained to the highest competitive standards, and the safety equipment onboard is second to none.
The J World Offshore Programs are singular in the world of yachting. If you have heard of other pay to play programs or you have joined the ‘cattle boat’ programs that dominate the market, it’s time to rethink your experience. There is no other program in the world like J World Offshore. Don’t take our word for it. Just read below for a couple of the many, many unsolicited emails of appreciation we get…
2017 Transpac Crew - Derek D. (aka Easy-D)
I know that I had the chance to thank each of you personally while I was in Hawaii, but I wanted formally thank you as group for the amazing experience aboard Hula Girl on this year’s Transpac.
Although I definitely had the least offshore experience among the group on board, all three of you put me at ease before, during, and after the race. Other than the vertigo issue that I had on a couple of the cloudy/moonless nights when I was steering (thank you Patrick for bailing me out!), I felt relatively comfortable at the wheel (for fear of a wipe-out of epic proportions). I must say that Patrick’s demeanor as my Watch Captain helped me build that confidence over the duration of the 2225 nm.
Watching all three of you going about your business onboard was a treat and demonstrated that all three of you are real pros! Whether it was Patrick at the bow, Wayne at the wheel or nav station, or Paul at the wheel, all three of you made it look so easy! Knowing that the boat was well-prepared in advance of the start also showed a level of professionalism that I haven’t seen. I greatly enjoyed the consistent communication of expectations prior to the experience occurring which helped keep surprises to a minimum. In short, this was not your first rodeo (unlike me) which helped allay any fears.
Although the Team Philosophy wasn’t a “win at all costs” one, the fact that you were able to coalesce a disparate group with varying levels of sailing and offshore experience was truly remarkable. To me, one of the more satisfying things was that we earned a podium finish in an extremely competitive division of SC50s and SC52s. However, I’m still contemplating all the ways we could have done better to make up the 5 minutes of corrected time on Deception, or the several hours that Horizon finished ahead of us. Regardless, I know that my goals prior to the race were to sail safely, fast, and fun! Mission accomplished!
Again, I thank you for providing me with this tremendous opportunity of sailing in this year’s edition of Transpac! Don’t be surprised if I decide to do something else with J World again whether it’s around the buoys or another offshore opportunity. I’m still smiling about the overall experience that I had and it’s certainly among my top sailing highlights, let alone one of the overall highlights in my 52 years.
Take care for now! Please keep in touch.
2016 Pacific Cup Crew - Andreas K.
I just wanted to spend the time to thank you again for all the training I got from you guys during the Transpac. Wayne, you are one of the best skippers I ever sailed with, and Patrick you are probably the best coach I have met so far.
You kept encouraging me to take over the helm, over and over again, and really helped me overcome one of the biggest shortcomings I saw in my skill set. Everyone on the boat had his chance. You guys were there for everyone who wanted to rise to the next level… and once we hit the Molokai Channel ,I was able to handle the breeze and the swell, which surprised me as much as some of the other guys!
I just wanted to let you guys know how much I appreciate what I took with me from this trip. You guys rock…
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