Nick Kaschak
Program Director

Nick is widely regarded as one of the top youth sailing coaches in the United States. His efforts and successes earned him the honor of being named 2023 Sail1Design Coach of the Year. Nick’s motto: “Sail like a Champion Today” is a philosophy he instills in all his sailors. In his 10+ years as a professional sailing coach, Nick’s sailors have won over 20 major championships (US Nationals, North American, and Midwinters) in multiple classes of boats (C420, High School, Team Racing, and ILCA) as well as countless regional championships. Additionally, over 20 of Nick’s sailors have been named to College All-American Honors, Sailing World’s Jobson’s All-Stars, Sail1Design Sailor of the Year, and much more.

Nick was born in Connecticut and raised in San Diego, CA. He is a member of San Diego Yacht Club and attended Point Loma High School. During his junior sailing years, Nick earned titles of High School Fleet Race National Champion and Snipe Junior National Champion. In addition to a bronze medal at the Snipe Junior World Championship and two bronze medals at the High School Team Race National Championship (Baker Trophy). Upon graduating high school, Nick attended UCSB where he was named three-times All-PCCSC Skipper and helped lead the Gauchos to multiple post-season appearances. During his time at UCSB, Nick also worked as a SBYSF Race Team Coach. Following graduation from UCSB, Nick began his full-time coaching career as Head Coach of San Diego Yacht Club and Coach of Point Loma High School.

Nick is now in his seventh year as Program Director and Head Coach at the Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation. His efforts have transformed SBYSF into one of the top junior sailing programs in the United States. This includes leading the SMHS Team to their first ever High School Fleet and Team Race Nationals appearances in 2023.

Nick is still very active on the keelboat team race circuit and is one of only three sailors in history to have won the coveted big-three keelboat team races (Baldwin, Morgan, and Soiland Cups). He’s also a 4x winner of the SDYC Lipton Cup, a US Match Race National Champion, NYYC Resolute Cup winner, and much more.

Off the water, Nick spends time with his wife Krystal and kids Kyler and Natalia. He is an active Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, surfer, wing foiler, cyclist, and loves time outdoors camping.