With a goal to grow its sailing program, Cape Cod Academy (CCA), the only independent, co-educational, college preparatory school serving students from kindergarten to grade 12 on Cape Cod, has named Rob Hurd as Director of Sailing Operations.
“It is widely known that Coach Hurd has one of the best sailing minds in the country,” said Head of School Jeff Thompson. “Working with our Head Coach Russ Gasdia, I know that Cape Cod Academy will build a program that will be the best in the region.”
Most recently, Hurd was the Head Sailing Coach and Waterfront Director at Tabor Academy. Over his tenure, he celebrated eight national championships and over 40 New England championships with several other podium finishes. Last year, he surpassed 500 wins as Head Sailing Coach. Hurd worked with hundreds of students in his 35-year high school career, developing many future college All-Americans.
“Personal growth and improvement are always a goal of any good program,” said Hurd. “I look forward to working with Cape Cod Academy’s Head Coach, Russ Gasdia, to enhance the mindset of the sailing program.”
Hurd is also one of only five Master Instructor Trainers in the country. Appointed by U.S. Sailing, the U.S. governing body of the sport of sailing, Master Instructor Trainers work closely with the National Faculty to create a modern, adaptable, national curriculum to introduce sailing and racing to a new generation of sailors. In this role, Hurd is responsible for training the individuals who go on to train the sailing instructors.
Through CCA’s several enrichment opportunities, including its Seminar Program and Winterim, Hurd plans to introduce the US Sailing Level-1 Instructor Program into the CCA curriculum. This will make Cape Cod Academy the only school in the country licensed to run such a program. Hurd also works closely with the Massachusetts Environmental Police to conduct boating safety courses.
In addition to teaching math and physics, Hurd’s primary role as Director of Sailing Operations will be to support the logistics of the sailing program.
“We are exploring a wide variety of options, including a new fleet of boats, shore side support, enhanced scheduling, and college placement assistance for our athletes who want to compete at the next level,” explained Director of Athletics, Jeff Conlon. “All of which will help CCA foster, attract, and retain talent. The goal is to make the day-to-day operations flow smoothly, create a seamless transition from the growing middle school program to varsity sailing, and to generate the best possible experience for our athletes. Coach Hurd is the key piece for this growth.”
Cape Cod Academy runs both a fall and spring sailing program for students in grades 6 through 12.
For more information about Cape Cod Academy and the sailing program, contact Coach Hurd at RHurd@CapeCodAcademy.org.
