Sailing through the south pacific

Growing up in the praries, with it's lack of water, I end up loving everything in the water.  In high school I dragonboat raced on the river, then had done kayaking a few times, and while living on Maui had the opportunity to take up outrigger canoeing.  I had never dreamed of such awesome activities because I thought being from the prairies that I would never get the chance.  Well dreams come true, and unexpected things happen every day, so dream big, and expect big things to happen.  With my time spent on Maui, I had dreamed of sailing and never knew how to get into it.  So my first day back I met up with an old friend who asked me to go sailing with him the next day.  Luckily there is a yacht club in town with sail boats for members of the yacht club to sign out and use whenever they please.  My first time out sailing was absolutely amazing, it was more of a chill ride then really sailing hard.  There was a rope behind the boat and we could jump off the boat while sailing and hold on to the rope and tow behind, and at 7-8 knots that's pretty fast crusing through the water.  Then when we were done playing at the back of the rope, you just pull into the boat and climb aboard.  After my first time sailing the captain had asked if I wanted to race in an all women driver race in a few weeks.  With so much excitement, the training days began, which were much more hardcore then the initial sail trip.  I have full guard of the helm, making sure the sails are always full, and the sailboat stays on course.  Driving the sailboat took a lot more strength then I had imagined, especially going through rough waters, or when the boat is at a 45 degree angle on the water.  So now my race is on Saturday, and I am really excited to power through the race, making smooth turns and quick recoveries.  I am so excited to have this opportunity, and have been enjoying every moment of it.  Wish me luck in the race, I'll be sure to post how I do. :)