Sailing: "the fine art of moving across the surface of water by means of the wind filling one or more sails" (that's better), is a skill only a small percentage of kids know how to do. But sailing is one of the healthiest things a kid can do (unless, of course, you're subject to seasickness). Read this article to find out why kids and sailing should go hand in hand.

First of all, to be very simple, sailing is just a fun thing to do. Flying silently across the waves gives me an indescribable, excited thrill. Actually, you don't fly all that silently. The bow bashes into the waves, the wind whistles and whips, the winches click, the genoa flaps when you come about. But in some strange way, for all the noise, sailing is a quiet sport. And to know that you, only you, are in charge of the boat, that the boat will yield to your every command, (well, almost… commanding a perfect jibe and capsizing instead usually isn't planned) definitely is enough to make you want to sail all day. Sailing is FUN, period.

Second, sailing builds character. Knowing that when you have the tiller you are completely in charge of the boat teaches responsibility. Knowing that you can sail well, that you are able to do something a large number of your peers can't do, raises your self-esteem. Taking care of the boat and keeping it in working order teaches respect. Being able to control the boat under harsh conditions teaches you self-control. Sailing teaches all these things and more.

In my experience, sailing is also a stress-reliever. You are concentrating so much on the motion of the boat, the sails, the tiller, the wind, your painful wind-burned lips, and the fact that you have no Chapstick that you totally forget about that math test that you forgot to study for.

Why should parents take their kids cruising? So many reasons, I can't write about them all! I will write about some of them, however, and since I am a kid myself, they are all true (and good) reasons!

One reason, and the most important reason for me, is the closeness with your family (literally!). The summer of 2002, my family went on a 2-week cruise on Lake of the Woods. We started at Northern Harbour in Kenora, Canada, and most of our Lake of the Woods exploring took place in Canada. Our boat is a Chrysler '26, which, as most nautical people know, isn't really the biggest boat, although it is very reliable. So, I was very close to my family for 14 days. Since I love my family, I didn't mind this. Not too much. Anyway, the point is I got to spend some quality time with my family. Cooking over the propane stove with mom. Laughing at myself when I was too scared to light it. (Well, hey, I didn't want singed eyebrows.)

Watching the stars with dad, and seeing the International Space Station pass overhead. Running back onto the boat when we heard suspicious snorting in the woods. Reading books with my sister on the bow of the boat, leaning into the genoa bag and watching the sunset throw its pastel colors against the evening sky. And of course, playing the "super hero game" with my 5-year-old brother.

A cruise is a great learning experience. I learned some great things on our trip. For example, why does lichen grow on rocks? Because it LICHENS it there! (My very intelligent father taught this piece of knowledge to me). Also, I learned never to drink pine needle tea, and how to judge the coldness of the lake water by how loud my sister's scream is when she jumps in. I learned not to take pictures of birds because they won't turn out. Well, they do turn out, but they turn out as black, white, or brown specks. I also learned how to get the best berth when it is raining outside, that a crayfish can be caught with a stick and some moldy cheese, and that I can live without a computer for two weeks! These are all very important lessons for life.

Cruising also teaches responsibility. Everyone with you relies on you to do many things. Whether you are raising or lowering the anchor, rowing ashore to catch the lines to tie up the boat, tying a tight bowline knot, or even cooking meals, you are always depended on to do it right the first time. This can make cruising a little stressful, but when you learn how to do something and accomplish it for the first time, you get a certain sense of pride and satisfaction that makes the stress worth it. On a cruise, every person is an extremely important part of the crew, and everyone is expected to do his or her share, however young or old.

Another good thing about cruising is how good you feel after going on a long sail. Now, I am generally a pretty quiet person. But, I, quiet, shy Kelsey, have tacked up Sturgeon Channel in Lake of the Woods, Canada, in 24-knot winds. While my brother and sister slept, I either handled the tiller, which was experiencing some weather helm, or fought the genoa. I learned to read the tell-tales and when to turn away from land on a different tack. I did! And I had fun doing it. When it was over, I was so proud of myself, and so filled with self-satisfaction. I had accomplished something huge, and good feelings abounded. Every kid should have that experience!

Sailing is something that you can get better at with practice, like many other things in life. My dad says that all the sailing I do is training, so I will be ready to sail to Desolation Sound and places North. (That is my dad's dream…to sail Desolation Sound) I am very excited for that, and I hope I really will be a good enough sailor someday. So, the life lesson, "practice makes perfect" applies to sailing, and sailing applies to life.

So, to conclude, I'd like to say to all parents… TEACH YOUR KIDS THE FINE ART OF SAILING! TAKE YOUR KIDS ON CRUISES, TWO HOURS OR TWO WEEKS! You definitely won't regret it.

By Kelsey Larson

Age 13

Cambridge, MN