In early 2010, spring was approaching, and Parker Johnson—along with his mother, Jennifer Smith—was brainstorming in Wayzata. Spring sports season was starting, but Johnson didn’t feel any of sports at his school, Benilde-St. Margaret’s (BSM), were quite the right fit.
“They offer nearly every sport on the planet, but there are some kids who don’t have a place to fit,” says Smith. “Spring sports are extremely competitive, and for beginners there’s sometimes no chance to get on a team.”
As a family that had grown up sailing, and having heard of a sailing team that faded out at BSM from a few years back, Smith and Johnson set a plan in motion to create a new chapter of sailors at the private Catholic school in St. Louis Park.
Catching Wind
Smith began the only way she knew how: “I started calling coaches, trying to get information,” she says. She discovered a bit about the school’s previous team, and learned that their coach had been Holland “Cappy” Capper. Smith made announcements at school, marketing it however she could. A group of 16 kids arrived the first day, unsure what to expect but ready to dive in.
A slightly rough learning period began, including entering a regatta with only a handful of practices under their belt. As “team mom,” Smith set out to raise their status from a club to an official team, an approval that was granted with much surprise and awe from other clubs.
“Supposedly some BSM clubs had been trying for four years,” says Smith. “Some contacted me and asked, ‘How did you get this done?’ I said ‘I really don’t know!’”
Team status intact and a coach on board, the team took on their first year with all Smith told them they’d need. “I said, ‘All you need is a smile on your face, a good attitude and a life jacket!’” she says.
Second-year sailor and BSM junior Jessica Hickok says, “Even from day one, we’ve all been like, ‘Okay, we can do this, we’re gonna do this, this is awesome.’ And Cappy is a great teacher but is all about having fun, too,” says the Orono resident.
Experience
A life-long sailor who took to the water with his father when he was five, Capper is the executive director of the Wayzata Community Sailing Center on Lake Minnetonka. He also coaches BSM, Wayzata High School, the University of Minnesota, and a slew of other programs that all take place on Lake Minnetonka. Capper has won several awards, and was inducted into the College Sailing Hall of Fame in June 2010, receiving the Graham Hall Award for outstanding service by a college sailing professional.
His motto is “sailing for everyone,” a concept he has applied in his 27 years of coaching everyone from professional sailors to college athletes and high school students to blind and handicapped children in summer camps. “Sailing doesn’t discriminate,” says Capper. “It doesn't matter how old or young you are, your size or your background. And it’s something you can do for your entire life. You can learn at five and sail ‘til you’re 85.”
The Boom
Fast forward to this spring and word has spread at BSM. A team of positive, enthusiastic sailors and a coach full of encouragement saw a boom of interested kids looking to join. This year’s team has a whopping 40 kids, not including the 20-some others who were initially interested but realized there wouldn’t be room. What started as a group of 16 just last year has grown so large that it’s now one of the biggest sailing teams in the entire Midwest.
“It was really shocking,” says Johnson, who is a junior at BSM and captain of the team. “We were blown away.”
The team’s fondness for the lake area is widespread, agreeing that Lake Minnetonka is hands down the best Minnesota spot for their sport. “Lake Minnetonka gives you the mindset of a bigger scenario and prepares you for an even bigger lake,” says Johnson. “It helps you become a better sailor.”
The lake’s aesthetics appeal as well. “Being on the lake is the happiest thing,” says Hickok. “I can’t explain how happy I am and how happy I know my teammates are to get out of school, sit on the dock and be on the lake. It’s the greatest feeling in the world.”
Smart Spectating
Get to know the terms below so you’re keen on what’s happening on the water:
Starboard
The right side of a boat, when on it, looking forward. Also, a shout sailors use in a regatta to signify to another vessel that they are using a starboard tack, and therefore have the right-of-way over a boat that is on a port tack.
Port
The left side of a boat, when on it, looking forward.
Protest
A cry one boat will yell to another if they have made a foul move during a race. A protest can be a threat or can be carried through to judges where a mini-trial is held to determine possible disqualification.
Tacking
To change direction by turning into the wind.
Jibbing
The other way to turn, turning the boat’s nose downwind.
Fleet Race
A single boat represents a team against several with just one winner.
Team Race
Three boats from a team compete against other sets, strategizing heavily to use rules and points to block or delay another team’s course.
