About
Shaun McKenna
Sailing history
I am a lifelong sailor with a broad background spanning junior dinghies, high-performance one-designs, keelboats, multihulls, windsurfing, and offshore racing. Sailing has been a constant thread through my life, shaping the way I think, prepare, and work within a team.
I grew up in a sailing family and had my first boat, a Minnow, at the age of eight. From there, I progressed into the Sabre dinghy, continuing to develop single-handed skills and an instinctive feel for trim and balance.
As a teenager, I moved into more complex boats and crewed environments. I raced the Corsair, a three-handed sixteen-foot monohull, winning the Victorian State Titles, and skippered 125 dinghies, a demanding two-person class with spinnaker and trapeze, competing regularly in state and national titles. These experiences sharpened my awareness of apparent wind sailing, boat speed, and close-quarters decision-making.
My teenage years also included Hobie 16 catamarans and windsurfing. Hobie racing taught speed management, dynamic balance, and rapid tactical decisions, while windsurfing refined my sensitivity to gusts, pressure changes, and sail shape — lessons that still influence how I helm and trim today.
I later owned, raced, and cruised a Sonata 8, rounding out my keelboat experience and providing a strong foundation in handling, sail management and navigation.
Dinghy sailing remains central to my life. I currently sail an RS Aero, having recently completed the national championships, and will compete in the World Championships within the next 12 months. The Aero continues to strengthen race instincts, fitness, and situational awareness.
In recent years, I have focused on offshore racing and yacht deliveries, gaining experience across a wide range of boats and programs, including Category 1 and 2 races, multi-day coastal passages, night sailing, and heavy-weather helming. I adapt quickly to new boats and crews, bringing reliability, calm decision-making, and a safety-first approach in all offshore environments.
The Sydney to Hobart remains the pinnacle of Australian offshore racing. I completed the 80th race aboard White Spirit as Second in Command and Navigator, responsible for routing, weather interpretation, sail selection strategy, and supporting the helm and watches. The race’s 625+ nautical miles, variety of conditions, and long, demanding legs reinforced my offshore experience and deepened my understanding of high-level crew coordination, resilience, and tactical decision-making.
My aim is to continue building offshore experience by contributing meaningfully to well-run boats and committed teams. I offer a lifetime of sailing knowledge grounded in strong dinghy fundamentals, a broad understanding of different boat types, and a positive, hard-working attitude suited to both competitive racing and delivery environments.
