Courtesy of Harris Padegs
What do a camel and a sea hawk have in common? From a biologist’s perspective, not much – but on the Thames River, they’re working together to coach a dedicated team of collegiate sailors toward the elusive Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association National Championship. Connecticut College alumni Harris Padegs ‘23 and Charlie Anderson, a 2024 graduate and collegiate sailor from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, join the varsity sailing team’s coaching staff for the 2025-26 season. Padegs will take on the role of visiting head coach while Head Coach Jeffrey Bresnahan is on medical leave. Anderson is the new full-time assistant coach, replacing Coach Makalynne Dyer, who departed Conn to accept a head coach role at Hampton College.
I spoke to Padegs and Anderson about their previous sailing experience, their perspective on the sport at a collegiate level, and their hopes for the season.
Harris Padegs returns to the mighty Thames River after sailing for Connecticut College from 2018 to 2023. Following graduation, he held coaching positions at various yacht clubs and a consultant position at U.S. One-Design. Padegs also served as the head ILCA (Laser) coach at Annapolis Yacht Club.
Where are you from, and when and where did you begin sailing?
I am from Buffalo, New York, and sailed for the first time as a kid during a summer camp in Chatham, Massachusetts! I was instantly hooked.
What was your sailing experience like prior to college?
I founded the sailing team [at the Nichols School] and was the team captain! We were very successful, qualifying for the district championship. When it came time to choose a college, I had always been around college sailors, and I knew that was something I wanted to do. Hunter Rosenthal ‘18 introduced me to Conn and its sailing program while he was one of my sailing coaches!
What did you study at Conn?
I was a Psychology major and a Statistics and Data Science [double] minor. I really enjoyed the variety of classes Conn offers – my senior year, I took Acting 1[with Professor Jaffe], which was very different from my usual classes, and it ended up being one of my favorite classes! I also loved the Arboretum and spent a lot of time going on walks there.
How does it feel to be back?
Not too weird to be back! Since graduating, I have been involved [with the team] and around at regattas. It’s less of a full return because I never really left – it feels like home!
What experience do you hope to bring to Conn?
Since I was in your shoes so recently, I know what it takes to be a successful student-athlete. I understand the challenge of maintaining that balance, and the mental side of competition – sailing at the highest level is a mental game, with the end result being a culmination of the process.
What goals do you have for the team in your first year?
Singlehanded Nationals is definitely a goal! (Sailboats sailed by one person are referred to as singlehanded boats. In collegiate sailing, the National Championship for the singlehanded ILCA/Laser dinghys is held during the fall season.) I would love for the team to show up every weekend, be competitive in our conference, NEISA (New England Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association), and put Connecticut College on the map as a top sailing school!
What is your coaching philosophy?
Throttle down, or humps down, I guess! I believe in practicing how you play and giving your all in everything you do, whether it be on the water, in team lift, or in the classroom. Roll Humps!
Charlie Anderson joined Connecticut College following his graduation from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he served as team captain his senior year, working with Coach Adam Werblow ‘88 to lead the Seahawks to the Open Fleet Race National Championship. Conn is no stranger to St. Mary’s – the sailing team has spent spring break training at the college for the past two years. Anderson brings his own experience as a college sailor who excelled in both team and fleet racing while contributing to national rankings and conference titles, and coaching experience from his role as Head Coach of the ILCA Travel Team at Severn Sailing Association.
Where are you from, and when and where did you begin sailing?
I’m from Maryland! I moved to Annapolis when I was 8, and my parents needed something for me to do over the summer. They signed me up for a week-long sailing program. After the first day, I asked them to sign me up for the whole summer!
What was your sailing experience like prior to college?
I sailed throughout high school for the Severn Sailing Association, competing at the national and international level. My goal was to aim for the Olympics in the Laser class. In my senior year of high school, I visited St. Mary’s College of Maryland and fell in love with the team aspect. Since I was sailing a single handed boat and training for the Olympics, I hadn’t experienced that team element, and I really liked it.
Who was your most influential sailing coach?
Connor Blouin, who is currently the head coach at College of Charleston and a world champion in the Laser class. He coached me when I was 13 or 14 and was my first racing coach.
What did you study at St. Mary’s?
I majored in Political Science and Public Policy with a minor in Economics – I chose my major because it was the closest building to the sailing center. It was a great experience to go to a school where sailing is a really big focus, and to get to sail every day. I miss it!
What experience do you hope to bring to Conn?
I sailed these boats for the last 4 years (quite literally – Conn’s fleet of Flying Juniors was purchased from St. Mary’s), so I know them by feel and how they should look, and what sailors are thinking in the boat. I also understand the stress and how difficult it can be to balance being a student-athlete. I love learning and teaching, and want to share as much as I know!
What was your first impression of Conn?
Since St. Mary’s is in a different sailing conference than Conn, I had never been to New London or sailed the Thames River before. Conn is gorgeous – it’s nicer than St. Mary’s! I’m a big fan of the weather and the culture here. I was very impressed with the athletic facility, particularly the varsity weight room and the sailing center.
What goals do you have for your first year of coaching?
This team has an incredible amount of talent and dedication. With the amount of talent we have, I don’t think it would be fair to put a goal on us, because where we are right now, anything is possible. Our goal is to win every race we sail.
Under the leadership of Padegs and Anderson, the Conn varsity sailing team will continue their season this weekend, with the women’s team travelling to Dartmouth College and the coed team competing at Brown University. You can follow the action on scores.collegesailing.org! As Padegs would say, it’s time to go “throttle down” for the rest of the fall season. Roll Humps!
