In a move coaches are calling “a natural evolution of the program,” The Pingry School sailing team confirmed this week that it has officially befriended a nearby pod of dolphins who now accompany the team to practice, assist with navigation, and occasionally glare at opposing crews during regattas.

Head Coach Lauren Kelly said the partnership began organically when several varsity sailors noticed the dolphins pacing their boats and “clearly demonstrating better tactical awareness than most sophomores.”

“At first we thought it was just curiosity,” Kelly explained. “But then one of them nudged our starboard side through a tricky wind shift and honestly we haven’t looked back.”

Team captains confirmed the dolphins now attend pre-race chalk talks, help identify favorable currents, and have “strong opinions” about starts at the committee boat. One junior sailor added that the pod has been especially helpful with morale.

“They just get the grind,” he said. “Also they’re faster than everyone else in the league.”

Rival schools have filed multiple protests with race officials, though judges ruled the dolphins technically qualify as “neutral maritime environment."

At press time, several parents were reportedly asking whether the dolphins could also help with college recruiting.

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