Photo by Kassidy Duncan

Bailey Brantley, 10, tells about her experiences as a sailor.

Gazing out at the cool, clear water, sophomore Bailey Brantley sails across the lake in her boat. She adjusts the speed of her craft, making sure to accommodate to the waves and wind working against her.

“I was at the lake one day and I saw some people sailing on the water,” Brantley said. “I wanted to do it too.”

Brantley began taking sailing lessons at 7 years old. In her lessons, she learns the parts of the boat and how to sail correctly. After reviewing what they know at the dock, Brantley and other students in her class sail out on the water with the coaches to practice what they’ve learned.

“The lessons are very hands-on,” Brantley said. “It’s every man for himself out on the water.”

In addition to learning about boats and how they work, she also learns what to do in emergency situations. For example, if her boat keels over, Brantley has learned how to flip the boat back over by standing on top of it and using her weight to pull it upright again. If the wind picks up, she knows how to handle the challenge of working against nature. Brantley also competes with other students in order to test her skills.

“In a competition, there’s two-man teams, and you go against other groups,” Brantley said. “I won the first race I competed in, and I loved the thrill of it.”

In a typical sailing competition, called a regatta, teams of two race against others in order to achieve the fastest time. Conditions do not always stay favorable out on the water, and competitors must manage tall waves and heavy winds while concentrating on the race at hand. Brantley won the first race she competed in, but did not win the second.

“Each summer, we rent out a nice boat to use on the lake,” Brantley said.

Brantley is the only person in her family that sails. She and her family rent out a boat for the summer, and she has the opportunity to practice what she’s learned while giving her family time on the water with their own personal captain.

“Sailing is peaceful but exciting,” Brantley said. “I love getting out there and feeling the cool breeze.”