Reno Yoder sets sail for a high seas adventure
Hiland High School senior Reno Yoder has been sailing for many years despite his youthful age. Competing in events both local and throughout the nation, Yoder has already fashioned a solid career as a competitive sailor.
Hiland High School senior Reno Yoder was sailing smoothly at the front of the pack during the recent Train Wreck Regatta, a recent sailing competition at Lake Eustis Sailing Club in Eustis, Florida.
Near the front of the pack, Yoder was preparing to make the turn around the furthest buoy and head for the backstretch, but he cut his angle too sharply, got inside the buoy and had to readjust, sending him tumbling back to the middle of the pack in a race featuring every division.
The young sailor wasn’t angry, instead using the moment as a learning tool as he continues to develop his sailing skills in a sport few people know about or understand in Amish Country.
“I think I might be the only person around here who sails, and most people don’t know the sport even exists,” Yoder said. “It’s almost a tough concept to share with people because most people don’t know anything about it.”
Yoder has been sailing for many years while participating in the youth division of sailing races throughout the Midwest and was introduced to it by his father Trent.
An avid sailor who calls Atwood Lake his sailing home, Yoder uses every opportunity to sail as a chance to grow in knowledge, develop his skills and take his game to the next level.
Trent Yoder took sailing lessons in the early 2000s and passed along his passion for sailing to his son. Reno quickly took to sailing on the 30-foot boat at Atwood Lake, and when he was only 9 years old, he took a class and was hooked. He continued his lessons there through the age of 15 and has developed a passion for sailing and competing.
At Eustis, Yoder won his division, despite the early miscue, and finished 39th overall in a race that featured many of the top sailing competitors in the nation.
While most youth are playing soccer, basketball, baseball or any number of high school sports, Yoder has followed his passion for sailing and invested the time necessary to become a gifted sailor.
“It’s definitely different than your typical high school sport,” Yoder said. “The learning curve to it is big, and every time you go out on the water, there are different challenges. Conditions change, competition varies and the tactic to racing is what I think makes it so much fun.”
One of the things Yoder has enjoyed is getting to know the other sailors. He said racing against other juniors in his younger days was enjoyable, and he won a lot, but moving up to where the MC Scow contenders compete and getting to glean from them is something he has found exhilarating.
“It’s the challenge of competing at the next level, and I love it,” Yoder said. “It’s been like going from Little League Baseball to playing in the Major Leagues. You have guys that have been sailing for 50 years, so it’s been a steep learning curve for me.”
Going from the big fish in a little pond to a little fish in a big pond and accepting he isn’t going to win right out of the gate against great competition as he learns on the fly is something Yoder is willing to work through as he improves his skill set.
“I’ve learned a lot already from many of those more experienced sailors,” Yoder said. “I try to talk to as many of them as possible, and overall, everyone is very helpful and willing to share their knowledge because they want to see young sailors grow.”
Yoder has been traveling all over Ohio, into surrounding states and has traveled to Eustis the past couple years. The thrill of competition is trumped only by the thrill he gets from sailing on open water.
“We’re always looking for places to compete,” Yoder said. “This is something that I can see myself doing for many years to come. We’ve got 80-year-old guys competing, and nothing feels like the experience of sailing. It’s peaceful to get out on the water, and while it gets very competitive, everyone who competes loves the sport and wants to see each other succeed.”
Yoder has been competing with the Atwood Sailing Fleet about two times a week. There are two youth sailing camps two separate weeks in the summer. In addition, there is a Jr. Regatta Series 5 on Saturdays throughout the summer. For more information call Neal Beavers at 419-309-0266, which is how Yoder got involved.