Marina del Rey, while crowded with traffic, is a good practice site with flat water and moderate winds-and don't forget the warm Southern California weather. In combined practices with Pepperdine, the two teams can put 12 boats on the water. While the school's top talents are seniors Gwen Garnett and Trisha Ward, there's a strong pool of underclassmen, led by sophomore Lisa Harrison, ready to keep the team going. A largely female team this year, they've set their sights on qualifying for Women's Nationals. UCLA won the College Nationals in 1978.
Money comes from a combination of private donations and school support.
The team just started a booster club. Since then, they've become a major player in the Midwest, finishing third at last fall's MCSA Area West Eliminations. With the nearest competition over four hours away, the team spends a lot of time on the road and usually sails in only one regatta per weekend. Last year they sent sailors to the Coed Nationals and this past fall to Singlehanded Nationals. Bowers sees a bright future for the squad.