Son of a Sailor

My name is Alexander GeRen, and I started sailing in the spring of 2022 through the Hillsborough Sailing Club Youth Program. At the beginning, I was nervous. I didn’t know anything about sailing—nothing about how the wind works, how sails move, or even how to set up a boat. It all felt new and a little intimidating.

On my first day, I remember listening carefully to the coach and trying to help with setting up the boats. We started with the most basic ones, which made things a little easier. Still, I had no idea what I was doing at first. But little by little, I began to understand. I learned how the wind affects the sail, how to balance the boat, and how important teamwork is on the water.

After that first spring, I kept going. I joined more classes in the fall and then again the following spring. That’s when something changed—I realized I didn’t just like sailing… I really loved it.

As I improved, I moved from the basic boats to more advanced ones. Each step taught me something new and pushed me to grow. Because my brother and I loved sailing so much, and since we are homeschooled, my mom decided to enroll us in a homeschool sailing program at the Palm Beach Sailing Club. Every Wednesday became something we looked forward to. Those classes helped us learn even more—not just about different types of boats, but also about safety, teamwork, and understanding the weather and wind.

Over the past four years, sailing has become a huge part of my life. It’s not just an activity anymore—it’s part of who I am. I’ve learned how to rig bigger boats, study conditions before going out, and even think about sailing in terms of competition. But more than anything, I’ve gained confidence.

When I first started, I was unsure and inexperienced. Now, I feel safe and confident on the water. I know how to handle situations, how to stay aware, and how to respect the power of nature.

I am very grateful to the Hillsborough Sailing Club Youth Program for giving me this opportunity. It truly changed my life. Sailing has taught me skills I will carry with me forever, and it has opened a world that I didn’t even know existed when I first stepped onto a boat.