Officially, Weston High School has a new team sport. Weston Athletic Director Mike McGrath has approved a proposal by Weston High School senior Katie Barlow to run a high school sailing team this year, open to all high schoolers as well as current eighth-graders. New and experienced sailors will be sailing on the Charles River out of the Community Boating facility in Boston.

The team will sail on five Wednesdays this spring–April 28, May 5, 12, 19, and 26. Possible extra days may be added. The bus will leave from the high school at 2 pm and sailors will be on the water from 3-4:30 pm. With middle school sports canceled, it is an opportunity for eighth-graders to be involved with a new team from the ground–ummm, water–up. The coached team will follow all Covid and other safety protocols.

“As far as I know, this is a new sport in Weston –and I was a student here in the 70s and 80s,” said Alison Barlow, Katie’s mom. “It’s officially a high school team but because this year is so different, and the announcement is late, it’s a great opportunity for eighth-graders to learn about a sport they can do longer-term in high school.”

Katie has been pursuing the creation of a sailing team throughout her entire high school career. Slow progress was made over her freshman and sophomore years, and in her junior year, she had interviewed and hired a coach, gotten space at Community Boating, and had everything ready to go….and then…. Covid. So, as a personal note, congratulations to Katie for her perseverance in creating long-term opportunities for others.

“I want to make sure I give a huge thanks to Athletic Director Mike McGrath for supporting me on this for so many years,” said Katie. “Sailing is a wonderful lifelong sport and I am glad that Weston can participate in it as a team for the first time.”

Community Boating is the oldest public sailing organization in the United States and there is no more beautiful spot to learn. Weston will share space at Community Boating with other schools such as Winsor, Fessenden and Newton North.

Interested students and parents should contact Weston Athletic Director Mike McGrath mcgrathm@weston.org with questions, or WHS senior Katie Barlow barlowk@weston.org. 

Go ‘cats! Who says they don’t like water?

Got out of town on a boat goin’ to Southern Islands
Sailing a reach before a followin’ sea
She was makin’ for the trades on the outside
And the downhill run to Papeete

-Southern Cross, Crosby, Stills & Nash