The Sailfit Story

SAILFIT Inc. started in 1994 having been originally incorporated under the name of Great White Performance Racing. The idea for the business came when I saw the difficulty sailors were having in moving their boats from one regatta to the next. Some would not attend certain regattas because they did not have a decent boat available to them. It was quite a dilemma for these sailors.

I had just finished a West Coast tour of sailing events when I decided that I really wanted to pursue this sport and see what I could do if I focused on sailing full-time. I knew it would take years to become an internationally known, high caliber Laser Sailor. I also knew that no one would pay the expenses in this dream of mine except me. So I started a business that chartered and transported Laser sailboats and sold parts. I saw a need for this service and I wanted to compete in the events as part of my campaign exposure anyway. So it was a natural. I would travel to the events with extra boats and equipment. Other sailors that had travel or boat issues could simply fly in and pay to charter a boat.

I quickly learned that I really needed to know what I wanted to buy and would get back for the money that I spent. I ordered the first trailer from a guy that builds heavy duty trailers out of his shop at his house. What a trailer it was, what a tank. But I could not convince myself that a 3,000 pound trailer was necessary to carry six 130 pound Lasers. It was way overkill. I lost my deposit and had another trailer built that gave me the ability to carry seven Lasers with half the weight!

Once I got started going I didn't stop. With my trailer and van I have traveled extensively to both coasts and am sure I have traveled through all continental states at some point. Over the past twelve years I have traveled some 400,000 miles to compete at various championships around the country. After refitting the trailer it is now capable of carrying 12 lasers. If I put two more on top of the van that means I can transport a total of 14. It is quite a sight! Usually I can charter around ten boats at the major championships in the US.

Although the chartering Lasers proved to be a good idea, the opportunity for income growth has been limited so, over the years, I have come up with ideas for additional services. The one that has really taken off is the fitness side of the business. I have a deep interest in health and fitness and simply trying to better myself. I have studied fairly extensively in exercise and nutrition and try to practice what I have learned. Many people come to me for advice because I have the reputation of being very fit and healthy. Additionally, I was incredibly fortunate to be joined by Meka Aiken (now Taulbee) in August 2000. She is the one who has really built up our fitness services, allowing me to focus on the sailing.

Meka is the main contact for SAILFIT responding to the requests for charters as well as sales and all fitness-related issues. She does all the accounting, banking and advertising and generally keeps things moving forward. At regattas she helps me stay on a good fitness program, prepares my nutrition, and helps me keep a cool head when things get tough.

Meka studied hard for the ACE exam, became certified and then started generating interest in our Fitness programs. At the moment, she has about eight clients each on a six-month program. Meka is really a pioneer in her approach because her knowledge of nutrition is much better than anyone else in the industry. Her understanding of how to achieve success makes her unrivalled. Meka's services are something that any ambitious sailor needs - she really will help you perform at your best!

Since 1998 I have coached sailors and began running training seminars. We have now added fitness into our program and this is taught by Meka. The seminars are growing into a truly comprehensive event that includes on-the-water sailing instruction, dry land sailing instruction, exercise and nutrition education.

So what does the future hold? We plan to manufacture and market exercise equipment to help sailors strengthen the muscles used when sailing. SAILFIT™ Strength Equipment is high quality equipment that sailors can use to simulate hiking (the position a sailor assumes in order to keep the boat from tipping). This is the first professionally made hiking strength trainer available to dinghy sailors.The first piece in this line came out in 2001 and is called the Quadzilla™ Hiking Trainer. We also plan to manufacture an abdominal board and an abdominal slide. The equipment is designed for sailors but is also helpful to anyone who wants to strengthen leg and abdominal muscles.

In 2005 came a new addition to the SAILFIT team. Our son has already gotten a taste of the Laser and jogs every morning with Meka. In 2007 came the next member of the SAILFIT team. Now with two sons we have crew and are ready to take the sailing world by storm.The only change this has brought to our future goals for SAILFIT is the addition of coaching. We will put more of a focus on group and private coaching as well as continuing to be the coach for the Clearwater Racing Team.

Other than that, We will be looking to enhance our existing services; add new performance-related Laser sailing items to our store; manufacture fitness equipment; and produce more sailing and fitness videos. With all that happening we will be busy but, of course, there'll be time to fit in some sailing as I continue on my campaign to reach the 2012 Olympics!