Miles Orozco
1/6/15
English 3
Molly Fenn
Sailing
Sailing. Its an amazing sport. To clarify, I do small-boat sailing, where the boats measure no longer than 14 feet. Sailing these is no big challenge, racing however involves an immense amount of fitness to be highly competitive, though the intesityvaries greatly, as this is mainly decided by dedication and class of boat. You can be hyper dedicated and buy your own boat, sail it for 2-3 hours every day, or if you just want to have fun with the boat, join a club, like Encinal Yacht Club, for example. The club allows you to borrow and race boats with other people, who quickly become very good friends. That is the other reason I love sailing so dearly, the community is amazing. I was honestly astounded when I learnt how competitive people were when racing the boats, but when they got back on shore, they are still the best of friends. If theres any sport that allows you to just be yourself, sailing allows you to do that. The most exhilarating feeling is sitting on the boat, wind ripping through your hair and sails, threatening to push you over, to thrust you into the forever vast sparkling blue water, but you’re fighting, you push back with all your energy, all your weight, until you can’t push back any longer because you have no more energy to. You can take out a one-person boat and do pretty much whatever you want, within the law, of course. It's an amazing experience to be in control of where you go, how fast you go, and the pure freedom of being by yourself, yet still so close to other people. It definitely takes a toll on your body and mind, after each day I come home exhausted and burnt out, but the sport is not tiring. I feel after I come off the water I have completed something that day, I may have just sailed around in a bunch of circles, but that day, every day, I learn. I feel accomplished after every day, that cannot be said for many other sports. I love my sport, debunk it all you may, but sailing is still the epitome of both brains and brawn on display.