Bermudian Tristan Loescher, the adult programme director at Columbia Sailing School in Chicago, recently shared his sailing journey as part of Black History Month.
In an interview with USA Sailing, Loescher reflected on his early introduction to the sport at a sailing camp in Bermuda.
However, his passion for sailing temporarily faded when he left the island to attend boarding school overseas.
It was not until later that his love for coaching led him back to the water, culminating in his involvement with the Endeavour Programme during the America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017.
“I had always been a coach in some form – whether it was swimming, snowboarding, mountain biking, or skateboarding,” Loescher said.
“I loved what I call ‘Stoke Transfer’ – the idea of passing on my enthusiasm for something I love to others.
“When Bermuda won the bid for the America’s Cup, I got involved with Endeavour, the event’s legacy sailing school.
“That’s when I started earning my sailing certifications and realised that coaching sailing was not only something I enjoyed but something I wanted to pursue as a career.
“I found it later in life, but it quickly became clear that it was where I needed and wanted to be.”
Now at Columbia Sailing School, Loescher is committed to making sailing more inclusive and accessible.
“Sailing has an incredible way of bringing people together” he said.
“At Columbia Sailing School, we serve a diverse community of sailors, including people from backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented in the sport.
“By providing accessible programmes, scholarships, and community outreach initiatives, we’re working to break down barriers to entry.
“One of the key aspects of our programme is mentorship. Many of our students who begin sailing at the club enjoy their experience so much that they want to become coaches themselves.
“Our Counsellor-in-Training [CIT] programme provides a pathway for young sailors to develop their leadership skills and transition into paid coaching roles.
“This kind of internal growth is a testament to how sailing fosters long-term engagement and a sense of belonging.
“Sailing builds confidence, fosters leadership, and creates lifelong connections – especially in a city like Chicago, where the lake is such an important part of the community’s identity.
“Our goal is to make sure that everyone, regardless of their background, has the chance to experience the benefits of sailing.”
Loescher acknowledges the challenges in making the sport more accessible.
“One of the biggest challenges is changing the perception that sailing is an exclusive or inaccessible sport,” he said.
“Many people assume that you need to grow up around boats or come from a particular background to get involved, which simply isn’t the case.
“We actively work to change that perception by reaching out to communities, offering affordable programmes and scholarships, and emphasising that sailing is open to everyone.
“Another challenge is ensuring that new sailors feel welcomed and supported.
“Representation matters, and we work hard to create an environment where people can see others like themselves thriving on the water.
“When sailors feel that they belong, they’re more likely to stay engaged in the sport. Retention is just as important as recruitment, so we focus on keeping students involved beyond their initial lessons.”
Loescher remains committed to expanding opportunities for aspiring sailors, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
“Sailing should be for everyone,” he added.
“Historically, access to the sport has been limited by economic and social barriers, but efforts are being made to change that.
“In Chicago, we’re expanding outreach programmes, partnering with local organisations, and offering scholarships to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation.
“The Counsellor-in-Training [CIT] programme helps sailors from underrepresented backgrounds see themselves in leadership roles within the sport.
“The more diverse the sailing community becomes, the richer and stronger it will be.”
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Publish date : 2025-02-28 23:41:00
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