With the onset of warm weather, getting out on the water is a popular activity for students. For Molly Wilson '13, a member of the sailing team, being on the water is more than just a summer pastime.
How's the off season going? What are you doing to get prepared for your season this fall? MW: It's been good, we do workouts on our own, but it is also a big season for independent sailing. Some sailors chose where they live in the summer based on where there's good sailing
How many hours are you putting in per week?MW: I work out for an hour to an hour and a half six days a week. I am also doing a couple of competitions over the summer.
Now that the weather is nice, do you ever sail just for fun?MW: Definitely, I went on Saturday just for fun with some friends who had never sailed.
How much fun do you have sailing?MW: It's really fun it is something that you can do competitively or recreationally, young or old.
How long have you been sailing competitively?MW: Forever, I've been on boats since I was born competitively since I was 7.
Who in your family sails?MW: I sail a lot with my dad, who still sails competitively. My mom [sails] recreationally and my sister is very competitive as a senior in high school.
If you didn't get into sailing, what other sport do you think you would have liked or would have been good at?MW: I played lacrosse in high school, but I think it's really different lifestyle-wise. I don't know if I would have liked it in college. Our coaches are fairly young and our team is co-ed.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?MW:I guess happy and fun-loving, but also knowing when to be serious.Besides the summer being a prime time for sailing, what has been the best part about sophomore Summer thus far?MW: I'm only taking two classes, and I'm leaving time for summer activities.
Are your coaches on campus during the summer?MW: They are not on campus but are sailing on their own or coaching over the summer. I keep in touch with them fairly frequently and talked with one a few days ago, and I am sailing with the other this weekend. Some of the Dartmouth sailors work with the coaches over the summer.
Is it easier to train over sophomore Summer compared to last summer when you were on your own?MW: Location-wise, we have really great sailing facilities, but the wind isn't that great compared to other places as far as consistent racing weather. There's also not that much competition here over the summer. You have to drive at least to Boston.
What do you do for training off the water?MW: A lot of core strength and general body strength, some running for cardio, but just to build muscle, not to hit a certain time or anything.
How often do you work out with other sailors during the week?MW: I pretty much only work out on my own in the summer.
If you weren't here for the summer, would you have traveled?MW: Usually we would travel to Rhode Island or Massachusetts.
What else is left on your bucket list for sophomore Summer?MW: I am definitely taking advantage of being out of season and having time to do more things with friends who aren't on the team. I have a more slow-placed lifestyle.
What are your goals for this fall?MW: It's definitely always exciting for freshmen to come on the team. It's exciting to have really good competition even within our own practices. In the fall season, our goal is to do well every weekend and have individuals make strides to get better.
