What's it like participating in sailing at the Naval Academy?

I'm looking into the extracurricular options at the Naval Academy, and sailing caught my interest. Can anyone share what the sailing experience is like there? Is it competitive, or more of a recreational activity?

The Naval Academy offers a pretty unique and well-rounded sailing experience, suitable for both competitive and recreational interests. For those interested in a competitive track, there are different competitive teams, such as the Intercollegiate Sailing Team, the Offshore Sailing Squadron, and the Ocean Racing Team.

The Intercollegiate Sailing Team competes in races across the country and has been successful over the years. The Offshore Sailing Squadron takes part in different races along the East Coast during the summer, including classic coastal races. The Ocean Racing Team competes in Transatlantic and Pacific Ocean races, providing a real offshore experience.

On the other hand, the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron (NASS) offers introductory and recreational opportunities for midshipmen of all years, not only for those pursuing sailing as a competitive sport. It offers basic sail training that is compulsory for all midshipman, hence students get involved in sailing from the get-go. Further, the summer sailing program is an essential part of a midshipman's experience and is designed to challenge them on a variety of levels.

So to answer your question, the Naval Academy offers both competitive and recreational sailing, making sailing an inclusive and engaging activity at the academy. Keep in mind that regardless of the level of involvement, the program aims to instill leadership and seamanship abilities, which are essential for a career in the Navy.