In mid-June, I participated in the U.S. Naval Academy's Advanced Radial Clinic in Annapolis, MD with 17 other sailors from the mid-west and east coast.

Our first evening included a pizza dinner, introductions, and the plan for the weekend. After being shown to our dorm rooms in the largest dormitory in the world, we were free to explore Annapolis on foot.

For the next three days we ate breakfast and dinner Navy style in the dinning hall. Cooking is not the Navy's forte—by the end of the clinic I found myself relishing cold, dry cornbread--but the sailing more than made up for it.

We spent half an hour on Friday and Saturday training with their strength and conditioning coach before the morning discussion.

The first day focused on upwind speed and boat handling, so the strong winds meant lots of hiking. We worked on downwind sailing on Saturday and wrapped upon Sunday with a focus on strategy and tactics.

There was a wide range of skill level among the participants, but the four coaches (including the Academy's two coaches) were excellent and we received lots of individual instruction.

Sailing on a river, with all its currents, was a new experience.

Overall the clinic was not as vigorous as a CISA clinic but more so than a SCYYRA clinic.

The Academy's sailing facilities, with fleets of dinghies and keel boats, were extensive and perfectly kept.

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