Alex Curtiss

• Office Phone: 949 645 4660
• Email Address: Alex.curtiss@northsails.com

A self-described “one design guy,” Alex Curtiss grew up in Chicago sailing Optis, 420s, and Lasers, as well as other one design and PHRF boats. In 2016, he graduated from St. Mary’s with an economics degree and two All-American awards, and moved to California to work as a sailmaker. He also sailed Etchells, J/70s, and TP52s; recent victories include the Etchells North Americans (as part of Scott Kaufman’s team) and the Prince of Wales U.S. Match Racing Championship. 

Asked to name his favorite boat, Alex laughs. “Honestly, if bathtubs were racing each other and they were all similar, I’d be happy to go race bathtubs. I wouldn’t say that I have one particular class that is better than the rest. I just love the game.”

Although he helms when team racing dinghies, Alex really enjoys crewing. “I feel like I can help the team more if I’m organizing and coordinating the crew. It is a little bit more fun and a little bit more of a challenge, just because there’s more moving parts.”

When it comes to sailing locally in California, Alex enjoy learning from local legends in the One Design fleets. “SoCal is unique in that “mainstream” sailing is not necessarily the normal. We have a very vibrant Etchells class in San Diego. I love sailing in that class as there are so many legends of the sport that compete in one of the best sailing venues in the world. Likewise up in Long Beach, Howie Hamlin organizes weekly 505 racing.”

On joining North Sails, he believes the people really make the company. “We are a group of passionate people who are trying to make sure sailors are getting the most out of their experience. It doesn’t matter if you are cruising to Catalina with the family for the weekend or putting together a TP 52 campaign to win the worlds. We have the people and products to help everyone.