Enthusiastic teen tackles Tassie winds
IT was her maiden voyage to Tasmania, but Kayla Boothby proved uncharted waters will be the last thing that stops her.
Competing in the Australian 2k Team Racing Championships, Kayla and her colleagues came third.
The 16-year-old said she was happy with her performance considering she was out of her comfort zone.
“I went there with no expectations because I hadn’t done anything like it before,” Kayla said. “I’d never sailed in Tasmania so I was just hoping to sail well.
“I was really excited by the challenge. I’ve sailed in lots of places around Queensland but didn’t know what conditions to expect down there.
“I didn’t prepare for the wind that was there but my team had locals on it and they knew how to handle it.”
Kayla started sailing when she was 13 after becoming intrigued by the sport after watching her pate.
“I thought I’d give it a go and did some sailing courses,” she said.
“I’ve continued on with it since. I love being on the water and the racing aspect of it.
“It’s relaxing when you’re racing because it’s the only thing your mind is focused on.
“I also love the social aspect, you meet so many different people and travel to different places.”
The St Patrick’s College stufriends particident’s next goal is the Laser Nationals in Perth in January 2021. The man who will mentor her in the lead up, Matt Himson, said Boothby’s attitude was her biggest weapon.
“She’s becoming really enthusiastic, she just loves being on the water,” Himson said.
“As a coach you can’t teach enthusiasm, so people like her are really easy to work with.
“I’m looking forward to helping Kayla and the other North Queensland athletes in the build up to nationals.”