Senior Annslee Maloy parts waves on her C420. She’s earned the title of skipper, or captain of her ship. This one is only manned by two people, her and her mate.
Maloy has taken after her grandparents, who introduced their two children, one of which being her father, to sailing. She laughs, saying it’s the only thing she talks about, that it’s become her whole personality. Which makes sense, considering that she started the sport when she was only 13 years old.
Her Wednesday and Sundays consist of long practices, though, she wishes she had more time to allocate for sailing.
“I want to have more time to spend event planning, more involvement with the Sea Scouts, and doing the actual activity. The only way to get better is to keep practicing, especially with racing,” said says.
Over the years, Maloy has created a mental plan for how she plans to improve. Self-described as motivated, she says all the pressure comes from herself. Maloy plays on starting a ship when she goes to college. After college, Maloy dreams of being a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officer. This includes traveling the world and communication with scientists to map coastlines and survey the number of fish in the ocean. This helps governments create legislation regarding fishing regulations for the next three years.
As soon as Maloy gets on her boat she feels freedom, exhilaration even. The wind in her hair, the salt on her skin, Maloy becomes a different woman.
“When you’re out there on this vessel with seven other girls, you’re the bosses. There’s a lot of responsibility and independence that comes with it,” she says. As skipper, Maloy orders her crewmates around and ensures the boat stays afloat.
Her teams will go maritime hopping and often picnics on the mangrove islands of the Bay. They also sometimes take two weeks trips sailing to the Keys, which Maloy feels improves the skill of her crew: “It’s the best feeling in the world to sit on the bough of your ship and watch the sunset with your friends. You always come back with a bunch of stories.”
Maloy’s advisor says, “Sailing is for people who think.” The sport requires the ability to be adaptable and fluid, like the waters. The boat, sometimes reaching 10 knots, must be maneuvered correctly to avoid collisions with other boats. Still, Maloy says it’s okay to occasionally to occasionally break a boat, having broken a few herself.
Maloy emphasized the relationships she’s made with her crewmates. Some have known her since the beginning, watching her progress over the years, while Maloy has had the opportunity to guide newer members. She takes on an almost “older sister” type of role, giving advice and watching her crew improve.