Sending Senior Sailors of NWISA Off To Exciting New Adventures

As is true for student athletes in any high school sport, senior year is steeped in tradition for sailors around the Pacific Northwest. Each team has their own way of saying goodbye to those who are graduating and moving on to new adventures. For me, it meant recognition for my skipper and I at our end-of-season celebration with our friends and family, a handshake from my coach at my last regatta and, of course, the “senior splash” courtesy of my teammates. The “splash” tradition entails picking the seniors up, carrying them to the high section of the dock at Sail Sand Point (SSP), and pitching them into the water below (often fully clothed) at their last SSP regatta. I obviously would never condone this behavior due to the boldly printed NO SWIMMING signs… 

But this year, the the spring sailing season has been canceled. Outgoing seniors of the Northwest Interscholastic Sailing Association (NWISA) aren’t getting their victory lap around the buoys. They don’t have the opportunity to feel the warmth of community recognition in the typical ways. Thus, we will honor their commitment to their programs and personal progress and on the water in a different fashion.

48° North has teamed up with local coaches to congratulate senior sailors around the region, and to showcase the future generation of the sport of sailing. Although we can’t present them with flowers at a banquet, shake their hands, or toss them into Lake Washington; we want these sailors to know that all of us in the sailing community of the Pacific Northwest are proud of what they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what their futures hold.

Part one congratulated seniors from the Willamette Sailing Club. In this second installment, we recognize sailors from Newport High School, Port Townsend High School, and Bainbridge High School.


Chyanna Blackburn

High School:

Newport High School

Where are you going/sailing next?

I hope to sail again in the summer in the Wednesday night sailing races held by the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club. I am planning on going to Oregon Coast Community College for two years. After those two years, I plan to transfer to a university as I pursue a career in physical therapy.

What drew you to the sport of sailing?

I have been a swimmer for 12 years and have always loved the water. A lot of the girls from my high school swim team were going to sail in the spring, and I decided to try it myself. I was very apprehensive to try something so new and different at first, but after the first windy day on the water, I loved the sport.

Coach Statement:

Chyanna started sailing with us last year and focused on crewing. She is a valued team member who consistently works hard and has fun doing so, making her a true pleasure to coach. Both the coaches and her teammates will miss her next season.


Jack Gibbons

High School:

Port Townsend High School

Where are you going/sailing next?

I will continue to sail my own boats, and crew on the schooner Martha as much as possible over the summer. Next year, I will attend the University of Victoria, where I hope to join their intercollegiate sailing team. I know I will continue trying to sail faster or farther, for as long as I can.

What drew you to the sport of sailing?

I have been sailing for all my life, but one of the things that drew me to the high school circuit is the unique feeling of sportsmanship.  I love that the sailors at each regatta help each other regardless of team.

Coach Statement:

Jack has been an active member of the Port Townsend Sailing Team for 7 years, and through family involvement (an older sister who was on the team and dad who has been an invaluable volunteer) I can barely remember a time when Jack was not riding along at practices and hanging out at regattas. To say that the team will miss him is a massive understatement.


Zach Cooper 

High School:

Bainbridge High School

Where are you going/sailing next?

I will be sailing for the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

What drew you to the sport of sailing?

I was first drawn to competitive sailing for the people. In such a sportsmanship based sport, the people have almost always been kind and supportive both on and off the water. My freshman year of high school I never intended to join sailing, but after making my varsity baseball team I was approached by the captain of our sailing team and since then I’ve been hooked.

Coach Statement:

Zach’s assets include an innate ability to feel the boat sail fast and a winning personality, which makes him popular around the district. He served as co-captain and BIHSS board member in his junior year. Zach has many interests and brings lots of ideas for things the team might like to investigate for adding to the experience of participating. Zach is all about competition, and sails because it is fun.


Max Doane

High School:

Bainbridge High School

Where are you going/sailing next?

I will be studying Pre-Med with a major in Psychology. Currently I am trying to decide between Boston College and Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

What drew you to the sport of sailing?

Growing up on an island, I naturally gravitated towards the sport of sailing. I started sailing in 8th grade and have been member of the Bainbridge High School sailing team for the last 4 years. Learning how to sail, being out on the water in an array of weather conditions, being part of a team, and eventually being elected co-captain of our team for 2 years, has helped me grow and gain confidence.

Coaches Statement:

Max is a true student of competitive sailing and in his 4 years of participation on the Bainbridge Sailing Team he has never failed to bring his full attention and skill set to a practice or regatta. Max is all about improvement, and he has carried his determination to become the best he can be beyond the limits of organized team events and become a very fine sailor indeed.

In his junior and senior years, he served his teammates as co-captain and member of the BIHSS board, where his insight and influence have been important to team operation.