Last weekend Bentley College hosted the Northeast Ocean Racing Symposium, a day of lectures, panels, and networking centered around all things offshore. After a long winter, the late-March event was a welcome opportunity to get excited about the coming season and reconnect with the community. The symposium is now in its third year and co-sponsored by the four major offshore races out of New England–The Newport-Bermuda, Marblehead-Halifax, Bermuda One-Two, and Marion-Bermuda races.

Moderator Roy Greenwald kicks things off with his opening remarks. Photo: Lydia Mullan

Martha Parker of Team One Newport kicked off the day with a gear presentation, discussing emerging fabric technologies, kit maintenance, and how to plan your wardrobe for going offshore. Her presentation was followed by Phil Haydon Ph.D. from Sail for Epilepsy, a sleep expert who discussed offshore route planning. Haydon is an experienced shorthanded racer, winning last year’s doublehanded division of the Newport-Bermuda. He also shared his personal experience with epilepsy and offered information about responding to a seizure, which one in every 10 people will have during their lifetime.

Phil Haydon Ph.D. discussed offshore route planning techniques and technologies as well as his 501(c)3 organization Sail for Epilepsy.
Photo: Lydia Mullan

Robert C. Glover III of R&W Rope shared a comprehensive update on line making and craft over the years, and in particular delved into how to select different rope for use in your rigging. A panel of skippers also discussed their crew selection and management strategies. 

Renowned sailor, US Sailing safety at sea committee member, and Newport-Bermuda Race organizing committee member Sheila McCurdy presented the Newport-Bermuda’s investigation into the three vessel abandonments from the 2024 race.

Volvo Ocean Race veteran Damien Foxall shares about the Marine Mammal Advisory Group and efforts to track encounters between sailboats and marine life. Photo: Lydia Mullan

Three breakout sessions focusing on specific races gave race organizers an opportunity to talk logistics and specifics with participants. And finally, the day concluded with talks from sailmaker Graham Quinn and offshore racer Joe Harris, who discussed sail construction and alternative energy generation, respectively. Interspersed throughout the day were opportunities for sailors to mingle and network. Vendors from the event’s supporting partners LRSE, Maptech, Landfall, and Blue Water Sailing Club, among others also had booths for browsing. 

With the sheer depth of experience among the speakers and panelists, it’s no surprise that the event is dense with information. And while some of the sessions were more technical than others, this event is particularly well suited to serious racers and owners looking to take their programs up to the next level. In sum, it was a great opportunity to shake the winter cobwebs off, reconnect with the community, and learn from the best of the best. 

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