The Early Years

"Long years ago, GWU had a pretty good sailing team. I was a member of that team and earned varsity letters for four years (1950-1954). Our home base was at a small boatyard on the Anacostia River at Buzzard's Point, a few blocks east of what is now the National War College.

In 1953 at Kings Point on Long Island and in 1954 at Balboa Harbor in California GWU was among the eight teams nationally to qualify for and compete in the National Intercollegiate Yacht Racing Championship regatta.”

-Lorenz P. Schrenk, Class of 1954

From Club to Varsity

In the late 2000’s a really special group of sailors came to GW and began laying the foundation for the team as we now know it. They recruited new team members, raised funds, traveled extensively for regattas, all on a shoe-string and with very little outside guidance. Soon enough, we had eight new boats of our own, a coach boat, a part-time coach (Jay Sterne), and improved regatta results. The GW Varsity Sailing Proposal was submitted to the Athletic Department in 2011. That proposal led to the eventual promotion of Sailing from a club team to a varsity sport in the fall of 2012.

As a varsity sport, GW Sailing achieved great success. In 2019, our women's team placed 4th at the ICSA Women's National Championship (in their fifth consecutive qualification for this championship). In 2018, GW Sailing qualified for all three national championships. In MAISA, GW Sailing consistently achieved podium finishes throughout the years. Individual sailors also achieved recognition, with Kai Friesecke as an honorable mention coed All-American skipper, Riley Legault representing the United States in the LaserPerformance Collegiate Cup, and several All-MAISA sailors every year.

In their final year as varsity, in the spring of 2021, GW qualified for both the 2021 College Sailing Women’s Nationals and the 2021 College Sailing Coed Nationals.

Back to Club

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GW Sailing was cut from varsity status. Luckily, the structure of college sailing, the work of our sailors, and the support of those closest to us has allowed us to transition back to a club team. In Fall 2022, our first season as a club program, GW Sailing was the MAISA Fall Coed Champions and the highest-ranked student-run team in the ICSA. 

To help us continue this journey, click the donation button below.