No question about it: high school sailing in the Midwest is a gear-intensive sport. To keep our sailors safe they have to be prepared for both cold air and cold water.
Required Gear
NTS pinnie and “tech-t” (required for regattas)
Type III Coast Guard-approved life jacket
Mask or neck gaiter face covering
Closed-toe shoes or neoprene sailing boots
Spray gear and/or other warmer/waterproof layers when weather gets colder
Dry suit (sometimes required for late fall, definitely required for spring)
Other Gear to Consider
Polarized sunglasses
Water bottle
Helmet
Hat with retainer lanyard
Warm caps
Summer and winter sailing gloves (or ask your teammates about lower-cost non-sailing gloves)
Wool socks
Waterproof watch with timer
Duffle bag
Bailer (typically a gallon jug with bottom cut off…ask your teammates)
NTS yard sign
NTS car magnet
NTS stickers
Ordering and Team Store(s)
Order your NTS pinnie, tech-t, yard signs, car magnets, and stickers via our gear order form.
The Team One Newport New Trier Sailing team store and the Squad Locker New Trier Sailing Team store have other (optional) NTS-branded gear, including from Patagonia, North Face and Nike.
About Drysuits
A drysuit is, by far, the most expensive piece of gear you will need. It seals around your neck, wrists, and ankles and keeps you dry even if you are in the water. Drysuits start at about $600 when purchased new. Consider asking older teammates if they have one they might have grown out of!
Coaches may require drysuits toward the end of the fall season; they will definitely be required for the spring season. If you don’t own one already, we we recommend you have a plan in place to acquire one. They are not always stocked in many brands/sizes at local retail stores, so plan ahead.
Retail Stores
These physical retail stores in Chicago and Lake Geneva have a good selection of sailing gear:
- West Marine at 1160 N Halsted St, Chicago (312-255-1464)
- Crowleys at 3434 East 95th Street Chicago (773-221-9990)
- Line Honors at 726 Geneva St, Lake Geneva, WI (262-248-8800)
These stores may give you a discount if you mention you are a high school sailor.