Teamwork On The Water For Buccaneer Sailors
November 7, 2008
By Dan Crowley, Sandwich Enterprise Sports Editor
SANDWICH- On the water keeping it "flat and fast," explained Massachusetts Maritime Academy sailing team crew member Devin Tetzlaff, is his job, along with making sail adjustment and boat tactics. Tetzlaff, a sophomore marine engineering major, crews on 420s and FJs (Flying Juniors) for the Buccaneers. He began his sailing career in high school, where he spent four years on the water with the Sandwich High Blue Knights. Now in their fourth season in the same boat, Tetzlaff and Skipper Rob Gallagher, also a Sandwich High graduate, have become one of the top sailing duos for the Buccaneers.
Gallagher had some sailing experience before joining his high school team. Tetzlaff joined the Sandwich High team on the recommendation of a friend.
"I began sailing when I was about 7, Gallagher recalled. "My uncle had a boat and in the summer we'd sail."
During their first two high school seasons Gallagher and Tetzlaff would occasionally find themselves in the same boat. By their junior season the two sailors had become crewmates, with Gallagher at the helm and Tetzlaff acting as crew.
When they arrived at MMA they stayed together and, now in their fourth season in the same boat, they have become a smooth sailing machine.
"We work well together," Gallagher said. "We know what to expect from one another. After a while, you just get to know what he (Tetzlaff) is going to do."
"I guess you'd say we're compatible," Tetzlaff added. "What we do in the boat is second nature."
Gallagher, a sophomore international maritime business major, navigates the boat over the race course, while his crew, Tetzlaff, makes sail adjustments and handles the tactical planning. Having spent four years on the water racing similar boats in high school the pair admitted has given them a big advantage.
"Sailing experience in general is an advantage," Gallagher admitted, "but having done this in high school gets you into the boat quicker in college."
At the high school level most of the sailing is team racing, while in college the majority of the competition is more individual. Rather than have three boats from each team fighting it out on the course, at the college level competitors can find themselves on the water with nearly two dozens boats, all from different schools, vying for first.
"It's a different kind of sailing," Tetzlaff explained. "What we do in college is fleet racing. There is a high skill level and you're the only one from your school in your division."
"Like most sports," Gallagher added, "when you reach the college level, the competition gets tougher; the people you're sailing against are better."
Tetzlaff and Gallagher have sailed for the Buccaneers both in both fresh and salt water, from Casco Bay to Buzzards Bay.
"In salt water you might get some waves, current, and chop," Gallagher pointed out, "while in fresh water there are usually wind shifts to deal with."
Both Massachusetts Maritime sailors have taught sailing. Tetzlaff was an instructor last summer at one of the MMA sailing programs, while this summer Gallagher hopes to do some coaching. Tetzlaff plans to ship out after graduation and spend some time at sea, visiting ports around the world. Gallagher intends to move into the business end of the industry.
"Sailing at MMA has been a lot of fun for both of us," Gallagher said.
"It has been," Tetzlaff agreed. "I love being on the water, and there are a lot of good people here and I like being around them."
For anyone considering a similar path, or just setting sail the two Buccaneer sailors have this advice.
"Get out on the water as much as you can and just sail," Gallagher said. "Sailing here (MMA) has allowed us to travel and see different places and meet different people."
"Push yourself," Tetzlaff added. "Push yourself to be better, whether it's in or out of the water. Just go for it."
Both Gallagher and Tetzlaff are considering a move from 420s and FJs into the larger offshore boats that some members of the Massachusetts Maritime team compete in. Their regular sailing season came to an end last weekend at the University of New Hampshire, when the MMA duo sailed in "Underdog Trophy Regatta," where they finished third, along with teammates Kevin Denien and George Fleischfresser, falling just short of qualifying for the Atlantic Coast Tournament.
One event remains on the Buccaneer schedule in 420 racing on December 30 in New Orleans on Lake Pontchartrain during the Nokia Sugar Bowl. MMA has yet to select the team members who will make the trip, but Tetzlaff and Gallagher are hoping they'll get the chance.
In October 2006 they sailed at the same Southern Yacht Club on the big lake with the Sandwich Blue Knights under Coach David O'Hara, in the Great Oaks Regatta. Nothing would make them happier than to return as members of the Mass Maritime team.