In this episode, we sit down with pro sailor and sailmaker Drew Mitchell at the historic North Sails loft in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Drew shares how sails are made, maintained, and raced — from classic Blue Nose boats to high-tech 3Di sails. We also explore career paths in the sailing industry, racing tips, and how technology is reshaping the sport. Whether you're a cruiser, racer, or just curious, there's something here for every sailor.

North Sails - Sail Loft Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
📞 +1 902 634 3343
✉️ drew.mitchell@northsails.com
🌐 northsails.com

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YouTube : Newbie Sailor - YouTube
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Email: nbs.sailing@gmail.com

In this episode, Evan Oulahen and Colleen Dewis break down essential sailing rules and recent updates that impact competitive racing. Evan, a regional judge certified by Sail Canada, walks us through fundamental right-of-way rules, overlap situations, and critical racecourse scenarios every sailor should understand.

Colleen then dives into the latest rule changes, explaining how they adapt to modern sailing dynamics, including faster boats, evolving race strategies, and new interpretations of contact, mark rounding, and obstructions. With insights from international judges and real-world regatta experiences, this discussion highlights what every racer needs to know to stay competitive and compliant on the water.

YouTube : Newbie Sailor - YouTube

💡 Key topics covered:
✅ Overlap, keep-clear rules & right-of-way basics
✅ Tacking, mark rounding, and the importance of "proper course"
✅ Updates to Racing Rule 14: Why contact rules now include committee boats
✅ Changes to mark room & obstruction definitions
✅ The importance of quick protest flag response in race disputes

📚 Resources Mentioned:
🔹 World Sailing - Official Website (https://www.sailing.org/racingrules/)
🔹 Racing Rules of Sailing - (https://www.racingrulesofsailing.org/)
🔹 Books by Dave Perry on racing rules interpretation
🔹Joe Jospe (International Judge)
🔹Mike Turner (International Judge)
🔹Andrew Alberti (International Judge)

📚Animation sources:
🔹http://david-sailing.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/barging.html
🔹https://sailzing.com/

⚓ Whether you're a seasoned racer or just getting into competitive sailing, this episode will sharpen your understanding of the rules and help you avoid costly mistakes on the water.

📩 Join the conversation! Have questions or experiences with race rules? Drop a comment below!

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YouTube : Newbie Sailor - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newbiesailor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewbieSailorNS
Email: nbs.sailing@gmail.com

Want to extend the life of your sails and save money? In this episode, Luke Porter from Doyle Sails shares expert tips on sail maintenance, including how sunlight and wind impact sail durability, proper storage techniques, and common weak points to inspect. Whether you're a racer or a cruiser, these insights will help you get the most out of your sails!

🔹 How UV rays and flapping wear down sails
🔹 Best practices for storage and handling
🔹 When to repair vs. replace your sails
🔹 What to look for during a sail check

⛵ Watch now to keep your sails in top shape!

Doyle Sails loft Halifax : https://www.doylesails.com/loft-halifax/

Bedford Basing Yacht Club (BBYC): https://www.bbyc.ca

Send us a text

YouTube : Newbie Sailor - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newbiesailor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewbieSailorNS
Email: nbs.sailing@gmail.com