Desensitized by the calming ocean view, abundant palm trees, blazing sun, and refreshing sea breeze, Floridians, specifically Southern Floridians, forget how their subjectively average home would be considered a paradise to many. Within this utopia, high school students are spoiled with the opportunity to engage in sailing as a school sport.

Even amongst Floridians, only private institutions performing financially well can supply such a program for their students, causing the sport to further their exclusivity.

“There are 22 private schools offering sailing as an interscholastic sport serving 17,438 students in Florida,” according www.privateschoolreview.com.

This limited number sheds light on the advantages and experiences given to Floridians that are often overlooked when living on the southeast coast.

With ILS being placed right beside the water, able to view the ocean whilst sitting in their classroom, students have access to a sailing program enabling them to pursue their unique sport.

“I have been sailing for one year at La Salle,” junior Lucia Martinez Moore said.

She continued and shared her shock as to being blessed with such an opportunity.

“It’s truly insane to think about how I go to sailing everyday after school and compete with my classmates. It’s a rare opportunity many people don’t have and students here are spoiled with,” she added.

Additionally, due to its uniqueness, universities do not offer scholarships for sailing competitors as it is commonly done for popular sports such as football.

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Regardless, sailing maintains the status of being a respected sport.

“Even though college sailing is not an official NCAA sport, it is a very popular one among universities. Many of America’s most prestigious universities have varsity or club sailing teams,” according to scholarships.com.