While most students put on a sweatshirt when the wind blows, members of the Gunn sailing team rejoice at the opportunity, and are immediately out in their boats zipping up a different kind of outerwear: a lifejacket.

The unofficial Gunn sailing team currently has six members, including junior Michael Rivlin, sophomores Lawrence Jau, Neil Bhateja and Yoni Alon and freshmen Travis Cottle and Michael Hooten.

“The sailing community is small so everyone gets along relatively well with each other,” Jau said. “At times, we have an odd type of team spirit. We fight for the best boats and equipment, but we still joke around a lot.”

All the sailors who represent Gunn are part of the Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation (PYSF). PYSF is a Redwood City-based club that attracts students from a variety of high schools around the Bay Area. Members form groups of four to compete in races, called regattas, usually under the name of their school.

On April 19, Rivlin, Jau, Hooten and Cottle teamed up and traveled to San Diego to represent Gunn in the High School Silver Pacific Coast Championships (PCC).

According to Rivlin, this two-day regatta is equivalent to the finals for competitive sailing. Gunn competed against 21 other sailing teams from different high schools to finish in sixth place. “Sailing is a sport that’s really at the mercy of the wind and the weather,” Rivlin said. “If you want to succeed in sailing, it’s all about being fairly consistent.”

The season for high school sailing starts around September and ends in April.

PYSF practices in the San Francisco Bay near Redwood City. Members devote an average of 15 hours per week to sailing.

Not only is sailing good exercise, but according to Cottle, “I’ve learned how to be more responsible for my actions and to be patient when problems arises,” he wrote in an e-mail message. “But most of all, I’ve discovered a sport that I love and plan to carry on for awhile.”

According to Rivlin, the current Gunn sailors might start a sailing club next year.

“We are still looking for many members to join the team,” Cottle wrote. “We are always wiling to teach and learn from people who want to sail.”

Those interested in joining should visit www.pysf.us for more information or contact Rivlin at michael@rivlin.net.