Sophomore Kenneth White splits the sea in voyage for sailing success

Sailing has evolved from a method of uncovering new continents into a competitive and leisure sport. Modern day sailors such as sophomore Kenneth White proudly continue the sailing tradition.

“I enjoy sailing because I feel completely free in the water. It is very fun to sail with both my team and family,” White said.

White sails at the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club in San Pedro, and is part of the junior sailing team coached by Steve Natvig. His team consists of roughly 25 male and female students that attend Peninsula, Palos Verdes and the Port of Los Angeles High School. Team members practice from 3:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Monday through Thursday, but are only required to go twice a week. To be allowed to sail, high school students must pass a swim test, which includes treading water and swimming in the ocean. In addition to being competent swimmers, junior sailors must be able to deal with high pressure situations and be patient.

“Being calm is an important part of being a good sailor,” Natvig said. “ Having good control and flow
of your boat are also key to sailing.”

White’s sailing team competes in monthly competitions called regattas in the South Bay. In these competitions, a two-man team must maneuver its boat through a course of marked buoys. Each team consists of a skipper and a crew. The skipper, captain of the boat, is in charge of directing his team and operates the back sail, while the crew supports the skipper and operates the front sail.

“How fast you go and how effectively you run through the course determines where and if you are placed,” White said. “Being calm and seeing the big picture instead of just what’s in front of you are important to doing well in sailing.”

White wishes to continue his family tradition of sailing.

“I hope to become the skipper of my grandparents’ beloved boat, Astra,” White said.