I began sailing when I was 8 years old at the Cleveland Yachting Club in Rocky River, Ohio. The club has a summer long sail camp where members from the age of 8 – 18 learn the essentials of sailing, water skiing, kayaking and more while experiencing life on Lake Erie.
I was fortunate that when I started sailing my older sister Lianne was 16 and was racing her Laser Radial at local regattas. Since my dad was taking her to the Saturday regattas each weekend, I got to tag along and quickly realized that there was a group of kids my age sailing Optis (the boat I was learning to sail). By the end of the summer I had convinced my dad to let me race and from that moment I was hooked for life! I love racing sailboats and this love for all things nautical came from my beginnings on Lake Erie at CYC!
This month I was featured in the CYC monthly newsletter, The Islander. Without my foundation from CYC I would not be sailing at the level I am today. I am excited for my sailing future and the opportunity to be working on a campaign for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio but will never forget my beginnings. Thanks to CYC and everyone for getting me started. You can read the newsletter here! CYC Islander, March 2013
Take a look at what my future holds for me!