By DELANEE BOGAN
Skimming across the glistening water of Lake Conway with the whistling wind in her ear, sophomore Gretchen Gutierrez sails alongside her father. Sailing has become more than just a sport for Gutierrez.
“I feel really relaxed [when I go sailing]. It’s nice to be at peace when I am out on the water. It’s exciting because there is always something new to learn. It takes both physical and mental strength and lots of patience,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez has only been sailing six months but Gretchen’s father has been sailing since before Gretchen was born. Sailing helps them spend time together.
Two years ago her father restored an 18’ Hobie Cat to teach her the skills of sailing. Gutierrez has grown up sailing with her father.
“I love spending time with my dad when we sail together. It builds teamwork because I take control of the jib [the foremost part of the sail] and my dad takes control of the main sail. But I like the feeling of accomplishment when I sail on my own,” Gutierrez said.
While sailing leads Gutierrez to feeling accomplished, it can be a dangerous sport. One has to learn how to deal with wind patterns or else the boat can flip over. According to theoceans.net, there are several ways sailing can go wrong. It depends on numerous factors including sizes and impact of waves and extreme weather that could ultimately lead to capsizing. Gutierrez avoids most of these factors because she sails on Lake Conway.
“I personally don’t consider sailing dangerous. So far, Gretchen sails on Lake Conway within our eyesight. As she becomes more competent she can challenge herself to different conditions based on her level of confidence,” Annette Gutierrez said.
Sailing is a sport that depends on the weather to determine when the right time to sail is. Before sailing, one must check the forecast to make sure the weather is clear while on the water. The best time to sail is between October and February because it is not the rainy season of the year.
“Sailing [is a sport that] requires patience, anticipation, readiness and multitasking. Being challenged under different weather conditions will be something that she can apply to life in general, and will continue to shape her into the woman she will become,” A. Gutierrez said.
Although Gutierrez has not had as much time on the water as she would like due to participating in soccer and school work, she plans to continue to learn from her father and increase her skills by sailing on her own more often.
“Gretchen can continue to acquire various levels of sailing skills throughout her life. She could join a sailing club in college and she could ultimately do a bare boat charter with friends or family in the future,” A. Gutierrez said.
There are different sailing clubs located throughout Orlando. There is a 15 hour comprehensive course at the Lake Fairview Marina that teaches one the skills of sailing and allows one to develop at one’s own pace. One can go to lakeviewmarina.com to make an appointment and to receive further information about sailing.
“[Sailing has] opened my eyes to a much bigger world rather than limiting yourself to what’s in front of you. It’s all about the effort and what you want to do. You have to have passion and drive for it,” Gutierrez said.