As much time as the University of Hawai‘i sailing team spends in the water, a hectic day in the air may be the biggest obstacle the Rainbow Wahine will face over the weekend.
The 'Bows are set to compete in the ICSA Women's Fleet Race National Championship in St. Mary's City, Md. from May 20-23. Ideally, head coach Andy Johnson would like the team to depart for Maryland on Saturday, given the time it takes to reach the East Coast from the Islands.
The only problem? Saturday is also the same day UH-Mānoa is holding its spring commencement ceremony, and a handful of members of the team are set to walk the stage.
"They want to walk and graduate with everybody else," Johnson said. "And that's the day we probably should be leaving, so we're going to be bombing into Maryland and just doing our best and hanging in there with all the jet lag."
Hawai‘i has reached four straight national championship tournaments and has competed in 22 total. The Rainbow Wahine are hoping to advance to the finals round for the first time since 2012. Under Johnson, UH also won its first and only sailing national title in 2001.
UH practices at Ke‘ehi Lagoon, as well as select sessions at Kaneohe Yacht Club. Johnson praised the dedication of his team, who show up to every practice with intrinsic motivations.
"The thing about (collegiate sailing) is that people don't really realize all the sailors are student-athletes and paying their own way. There's no scholarships in sailing nationwide," Johnson said. "The intercollegiate Sailing Association has kept up that standard all the way through. There's under 200 programs nationwide, so if you can rise to the top and feel good about it, it's good.
"They work hard. A lot of them have jobs and are paying their own tuition, their own housing and everything else, and doing everything that all the other athletes at UH do."
One of the sailing seniors walking on Saturday is Johnson's daughter, Malia.
"Everyone's really excited we leave the day after graduation," said Malia Johnson, a communications major. "All the seniors on the team are pretty hyped and pumped, ready to go have fun and make some memories.
"I would say it's been challenging, but it has been one of the best experiences of my life. My dad is a role model for me. He is an amazingly talented sailor, and being able to learn from him and under him on the UH-Mānoa sailing team has been life-changing."
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
