Whenever I am asked what my hobbies are, or what I do in my free time I never think to say sailing. Sailing isn't a hobby to me, it is far more than that. I started sailing when I was 6 years old at Frenchman's Bay Yacht Club. I was enrolled in the summer sailing school program. After my first day I hated it so much I made my parents promise they wouldn’t make me go back. They asked me to go back for one more day and if I still didn’t like it didn't have to go again. I came back the next day, and am so thankful they gave me the push I needed.
I went to sailing school for 2 years and joined the Opti race team the following summer. I sailed that boat for two years before transitioning into the C420 with my older brother. We raced together for 5 years competing at local events such as CORK International regatta. He went off to university and I decided that I wanted to take sailing more seriously. I switched to sailing the Laser Radial, as it is an Olympic class boat. This past year, 2019, was my second season sailing Laser radial. I love sailing the Laser because of the physical nature of the boat. There is nothing more exhilarating than sending it down wind in 15+ knots and swells. Nothing compares to the sensation I get when I am in complete control of the boat; it seems we are dancing in perfect harmony.
In the fall of 2019 I spent a lot of time and work to prepare myself to compete. I lost 65lbs to make myself lighter and quicker in the boat. All that work paid off as it was an extraordinary season for me. This season I am continuing to further my skill level in hopes of representing Canada at to 2020 ISAF Youth World Championships in Brazil. A commitment like this takes a very intense program, and with it a fairly large price tag. My parents have supported me through my entire sailing career and I hope with your help I can take some of the costs off of their shoulders.
Thank you for reading!