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Young Hands on the Tiller

Despite the fact that 15-year-old Cody (left) and Alex, 18, live in the high desert, sailing is one of their primary passions. 

Tim Brill
©2015Latitude 38 Media, LLC

During its 21-year history, a number of famous and semi-famous boats have participated in the Baja Ha-Ha cruisers’ rally. But probably none was more of a household name than Intrepid, the Islander 36 that then-17-year-old Zac Sunderland singlehanded around the world in 2009. Next month Intrepid will set sail again with young hands on the tiller in the 22nd annual San Diego-to-Cabo San Lucas rally.

Having been introduced to sailing a few years ago in Ireland, Alex, 18, Cody Brill, 15, and their father Tim fell in love with the sport and have been on the fast track to proficiency ever since. "We are an adventurous kinda family: camping, mountain climbing, skiing and travel," explains Tim, who owns an aerobatic flight school in Reno, Nevada. "But sailing triggered the boys’ imaginations."

The family began taking sailing lessons from Lee Pearce of Learn to Sail San Diego. And today Alex and Cody have completed the American Sailing Association (ASA) 101, 103, 104, 105 and 106 certifications (Basic Keelboat Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, Coastal Navigation and Advanced Coastal Cruising). When their proud papa checked in with us last week, he and Cody were completing a course in celestial navigation, and we learned that Cody has been teaching the basics to other kids via a local US Sailing program. Despite the kids’ sailing prowess, they’re ‘letting’ their dad come along on the Baja run too. "Someone has to pay for all this stuff!" he says. 

One of the most fascinating aspects of running the Baja Ha-Ha for the past two decades has been meeting sailors of all ages with wildly diverse backgrounds. Look for mini-profiles on many of them in the October issue of Latitude 38. (Available free October 1 from marine retailers and downloadable from the website.)

If you’re on the fence about joining the fleet this year, make note that BHH registration ends at midnight September 15. 

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In its 20-year history, the Clipper Race, a round-the-world race in multiple legs for paying crew, has had an excellent safety record.