Tristan Loescher: Where he wants to be

In recognition of Black History Month, US Sailing sat down with Tristan Loescher, Adult Program Director at Columbia Sailing School (Chicago, IL), to discuss his unconventional journey into sailing, the power of ‘stoke transfer,’ and his efforts to make the sport more accessible and inclusive for all.

What first sparked your interest in sailing, and how did you become an instructor?

Growing up in Bermuda, you’re surrounded by water, and sailing was a natural part of my environment. I first had the opportunity to sail at a summer camp, and I loved it. I continued sailing for several years, but after going to boarding school, I drifted away from it for a time.

What brought me back was my passion for coaching. I had always been a coach in some form—whether it was swimming, snowboarding, mountain biking, or skateboarding. I loved what I call “Stoke Transfer”—the idea of passing on my enthusiasm for something I love to others.

When Bermuda won the bid for the 2017 America’s Cup, I got involved with Endeavor, the event’s legacy sailing school. That’s when I started earning my sailing certifications and realized that coaching sailing was not only something I enjoyed but something I wanted to pursue as a career. I found it later in life, but it quickly became clear that it was where I needed and wanted to be. – Full report