Sailing Advisor
Joe Cooper (Coop) is a highly experienced professional sailor who first sailed with his dad at the age of 2 in Australia. Since those early beginnings he has raced and sailed across many oceans of the world, including sailing in two America’s Cups. Later he moved permanently to the US where he integrated racing, rigging, rigging designs and deck layouts, coaching and sail making, including working for many years at Hood Sailmakers. He has been a tireless advocate for shorthanded sailing, promoting double-handed and single-handed sailing in the New England community.
In recent years, he has coached high school sailors and is promoting youth sailing in offshore races. Coop is presently self employed as a sail and sailing consultant in Middletown, RI. Clients include, Quantum Sails, coaching individuals interested in improving their (own, crew’s & the boats) performance, preparing yachts for sailing offshore, coaching high school sailing team, contributing editor for WindCheck Magazine, for whom he writes a monthly column, Coop’s Corner.
Phil and Coop first met in 2016 as Phil was preparing to sail in the Bermuda 1-2 race. Since then they have worked closely together: Coop has been helping Phil in boat modifications to enhance his current race boat for offshore sailing. Coop brings a breadth of extensive experience to the Sail4Epilepsy program that will be invaluable in boat and crew preparations, as well as in support during the voyage.