Sailing
How it Started
At the start of my middle school experience, I was introduced to a whole new school and set of teachers, one being an Argentine-born sailor. In the 6th grade, my math teacher not only taught me the foundation of algebra that I would use throughout high school, but he also taught me the importance that the ocean has on our body and community. Every Friday, right after school, he would take me and my friends out on his sailboat and explain to us the importance of a clean ocean. By taking us out on his boat, he showed us the issue the whole planet struggles with: pollution. During our fun adventures out on the water, we would make sure to bring multiple contractor-grade XL-size garbage bags, to fill up with all the trash we would find floating in the water and mangroves. By doing this, we were able to clean over 15 pounds of garbage, hurting our local ecosystem, every Friday.
When the end of my 6th-grade year of school began to end, news broke out about my math teacher leaving the school. At that point, I was heartbroken; the math teacher I had for only one year was going to be leaving, and I would have to be taught by someone else. The school system had put him under an immense amount of stress that was both mentally and physically killing him, forcing him to leave his position at the school and move on somewhere else.
However, before leaving, he had sparked something inside of me. Almost like how a seed is planted in the ground, the love for the ocean, wind, and music was planted in my soul. In the next coming years of my life, I began to yearn for the ocean and feel the freedom I had felt alongside my math teacher. This eagerness would grow to become what I love doing most in my life, sailing and listening/playing music,
Although at first, I was sad, I have grown up since then and realized the importance that leaving the school system was to my math teacher. The last lesson he taught me was to not give up on my dreams and that there is always good, even if it seems bad. By leaving, he was able to follow his dreams of sailing and giving the experience of sailing to as many people as possible. He has now sailed multiple times from Tampa down to the Florida Keys on an 18-foot catamaran sailboat and continues to give more people the experience of sailing Biscayne Bay, just like I did every Friday.
The Race to the Race
Sailing ILCA boats in Biscayne Bay has been both a physically and mentally demanding journey, requiring 22 hours of on water training each week and countless hours in gym before and after school. Under the guidance of my coach, Orlando, I have pushed my limits in a sport that demands endurance, precision, and adaptability. Each training session consists of long hours on the water, perfecting boat handling, tactical decision-making, and race strategies. The ever-changing conditions of the bay—shifting winds, strong currents, and unpredictable weather—have taught me resilience and quick thinking, both of which extend beyond the sport and into my daily life.
My coach, Orlando, immigrated from Cuba just one and a half years ago and is still learning English. Despite the language barrier, we have built a strong connection through sailing, using each session not just as training for me but as an opportunity for him to practice English. His dedication to improving both as a coach and as a communicator has been inspiring, reminding me of the power of perseverance. Through him, I have also been introduced to a diverse sailing community, meeting competitors and mentors from around the world who share a passion for the sport. These connections have broadened my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for teamwork and cultural exchange.
Sailing has instilled in me the belief that "success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Competing in ILCA races has brought moments of victory as well as setbacks, but each experience has reinforced my determination to grow. Whether battling through rough conditions or refining small technical skills, I have learned that improvement comes through consistency and a willingness to embrace challenges. This mindset will continue to guide me, not only in sailing but in every aspect of my academic and professional future.