VIDEO: A New Generation of Youth Sailors

There is an exciting movement happening in Hawaii. Kids are sailing nontraditional boats and getting more excited than ever about the sport. This movement is toward alternative pathways (think O’Pen Bic and RS Feva) as opposed to more traditional classes (think Opti, Laser and C420).

While many junior sailors burn out in overly competitive programs or simply lose interest in sailing, kids in the programs at Hawaii Kai Boat Club (Honolulu, HI) are proof that modern designs, paired with innovative approaches to teaching, can instill a lifetime of passion for sailing.

A short video of two 15-year- olds, Pearl Lattanzi and Ariana Long, shows them sailing a 29er on Moanalua Bay off. The girls are the product of a new generation that have made the transition from O’pen Bic to RS Feva to 29er.

“Pearl began sailing O’Pen Bics at 10 and RS Fevas at 13,” shared Karen Lattanzi, Peral’s mom. “She has never sailed an El Toro or Opti, and only a Topper and Laser one time to see what they are about. She just started sailing a 29er and this video was their first day out of the marina and in wind over 8 knots. Her best friend, Ariana Long, has been sailing for a year and a half. She also started on an O’Pen Bic and quickly moved into the RS Feva. She has never sailed any other boats.

“They have pledged to each other to try to make it to the 29er World’s. Pearl has won Top Overall Girl in the Open Bic North American’s, as well as the Goblin Regatta, Baron’s Cup, and Dinghy Transpac in the RS Feva class. Ariana has proven herself in other sports. She holds the Punahou 3000 intermediate running record, a mile time of 5.23, and ran a marathon at 13. She has discovered sailing to be A LOT more fun and less damaging to her legs:! They sail about 5 days a week and have been best friends since they were 3.”

This video edited by Ariana, reports Karen, is proof that it works.

Source: Karen Lattanzi, West Coast Sailing