2 days ago

New Year, New Beginnings for the FWBC Sailing Program

As we step into the new year, FWBC is gearing up for an exciting 2025. The Marigail Series will mark the start of the 2025 Racing Season, promising an exhilarating competition enhanced by the challenges of winter weather. Adding to the excitement, we are thrilled to welcome Juan Carlos Romero as our new Sailing Director. His expertise and leadership are sure to bring great energy to our team. Here's to an incredible year ahead at FWBC!

Introducing Juan Carlos Romero as FWBC's new Sailing Director!

Juan Carlos Romero, born in Ecuador in 1975, is a renowned sailor and coach whose passion for the sport has spanned over three decades. His journey from a young sailing enthusiast to one of the most respected sailing coaches in the United States is marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence both on the water and in coaching.

Juan Carlos's love for sailing began at the age of 13 when he first learned how to navigate the waters of Ecuador. His early experiences on the water sparked a deep interest in competitive sailing, and he quickly became involved in local and national regattas. His dedication to the sport led him to achieve podium finishes in the Europe and Lightning Class Nationals, where he earned recognition for his skill and determination.

In the early 1990s, Juan Carlos made the natural transition from sailor to coach, where he focused on growing the sport in his home country. He founded and ran several "Learn to Sail" programs aimed at introducing young and adult sailors to the sport. His enthusiasm for fostering talent and sharing his knowledge quickly gained recognition. In 1994, Juan Carlos was appointed the coach of the Ecuadorian National Sailing Team, a position he held for a decade. Under his leadership, the team achieved significant success, both in regional and international events, and Juan Carlos became a key figure in the development of competitive sailing in Ecuador.

In 2005, after leading several summer programs along the East Coast since 2001, Juan Carlos's career took an exciting turn when he was offered the position of Sailing Program Manager at the Annapolis Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the country. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his coaching and program managing career, where he would go on to work with top sailing programs across the U.S.

In 2007 and for almost a decade Juan Carlos joined the North Sails Team and was appointed as the North Sails Optimist Head Coach in North America. Working with the North Optimist team, Juan assisted in developing sails and coordinating educational programs for Optimist sailors looking for opportunities to improve their performance.

Juan Carlos's coaching career reached new heights when he became deeply involved with the U.S. Optimist Sailing Team. His leadership played a key role in preparing the team for international regattas, helping to shape some of the country's most talented young sailors. He led USODA national and development team practices, training the next generation of U.S. sailors to compete at the highest levels. In addition to his work within the US, Juan Carlos ran high performance clinics around the world travelling to Singapore, Bahamas, Ireland, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Finland amongst others to train their National Team athletes.

Throughout his coaching career and managing/directing sailing programs for young sailors and adults, Juan Carlos has been instrumental in mentoring athletes who have gone on to represent the United States at prestigious events worldwide. His influence on the U.S. sailing community continues to be felt, with many of his former students achieving success at national and international levels.

Juan Carlos Romero's career is a testament to his love for sailing, his dedication to coaching, and his ability to inspire athletes to achieve greatness. From his early days as a competitive sailor in Ecuador to his current role as one of the foremost sailing directors in the United States, his journey reflects

both personal and professional growth. Whether coaching at a high-performance level, managing sailing programs at top yacht clubs, leading the U.S. Optimist Sailing Team, or inspiring the next generation of sailors, Juan Carlos's impact on the sport of sailing is undeniable.

Today, Juan Carlos continues to live his passion for sailing and coaching, sharing his expertise with the world and helping young sailors chart their own paths to success.

We are thrilled to welcome Juan Carlos to our team and all the valuable experience he brings to our program! The Junior Race Team is deep in their winter training, working hard to prepare for the season. The first youth TSA regatta is coming up in late February in Houston, and the team is gearing up to give it their all.

Club Racing

Sunday PHRF Racing Series

Get ready—the Marigail Series kicks off on January 5th! This exciting winter tradition will have participants taking on the chilly waters of Eagle Mountain Lake and braving the brisk winter winds to compete for the coveted Marigail Trophy. Last year, Matthew Arno and Blue Flash claimed victory—will you be next? Don’t miss your chance to join the fun and be part of a community that loves being on the water. See you on the water!