It’s a high school sport like no other. The sport has both fall and spring seasons. It is a co-ed activity which allows boys and girls to compete against one another or as a team versus an opponent. The sport is high school sailing, sponsored locally by Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club. Since 2008, the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Foundation has sponsored a junior sailing and tennis summer program. About 10 years ago, the foundation also began a high school sailing program open to local students attending grades 7-12. The high school team includes students from the Boothbay region, Lincoln Academy and other surrounding areas.

High school sailing is not an official Boothbay Region High School team sport; it is a club. The BHYC Junior Foundation sponsors the club which competes in two leagues. One is the New England Scholastic Sailing Association (NESSA) which includes both public and private school teams and the Pen Bay League which has teams in coastal Maine. BRHS teacher Chris Liberti has coached the local team for six years. He described the club as providing students an opportunity to sail in a competitive league. “The two leagues allows our team to compete against other teams with similar skill levels,” he said. “There is a regatta almost every weekend so our team members have many opportunities to compete.”

Regatta races typically last about 20 minutes with teams sailing in a 420 (dinghy) with a captain and a navigator. The race tests each sailor’s skills in maneuvering a dinghy in the ocean battling winds and competitors. In some ways, sailing is a unique sport, but Liberti points out it has similarities to others. “Where sailing is similar to other sports is that it teaches competitors about team work, battling adversity and reaching goals,” Liberti said. 

The spring season begins March 29, and Liberti is looking for more team members. During his tenure, he has seen participation levels vary, and wants community members to know about opportunities for middle and high school students to participate. “There is a small fee and the Junior Foundation also assists in financing the club,” Liberti said. “We’re not sure everybody knows about the team, and we want to get the word out.”

In 2008, the BHYC Foundation’s goal was providing students more recreational opportunities through the junior sailing summer program. The high school team resulted a few years later, as another way to provide older students more opportunities to learn about competitive sailing. The high school team has four practices per week. Liberti allows for a flexible schedule for team members. Even with a flexible schedule, Liberti reports about 75% of team members practice Monday through Thursday. “In the summer, kids may be busy with work or other activities and can’t dedicate themselves to the summer program. But our high school team allows them more flexibility. They tell me what days they’re available and I hold them to that,” he said. 

Team members don’t have an official uniform, but there is apparel necessary for sailors. Liberti reports sailors dress in layers, especially in spring, 40F and windy conditions, with a fleece, and either neoprene booties or an old pair of sneakers. 

BHYC Commodore Liz Rettenmaier said students participate in high school sailing and then sail throughout their lives. “This is a wonderful activity for our youth,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to learn how to sail. You don’t need a lot of experience or gear. Our primary goal is getting as many kids on the water as possible,” she said. 

Liberti said yacht club members and non-members are charged the same rate. Team members and any interested students should apply at BHYC in Boothbay Harbor. “We want to get the word out to families this opportunity exists,” Junior Foundation Treasurer Tony O’Neil said. “Financial assistance is available, and all the information is kept confidential. We do provide equipment for dry suits and other things.”