Under billowing, gray clouds, two Dartmouth High students dragged themselves out of bed and met at the New Bedford Yacht Club in Padanaram for 7:30 a.m.

Izaiah Farr, 15, and Sabrina Pires, 14, of Dartmouth competed in the NBYC Junior Regatta on Saturday, July 9, the first of a two-day, sailboat racing event. The two developed their love for sailing at the Community Boating Center in New Bedford, and just this year became the skipper-crew duo on sailboat #502.

“I just wanted something to do for the summer and I really liked it,” said Farr, who started sailing seven years ago and has done so every summer since.

The two prepare the boat, provided by the yacht club, by adjusting the tension on the sail, reviewing the weight in the boat, and shifting the mast forward.

“We want everything loose in this light wind,” said Farr. “You want to make sure all the water is out of the tank, too,” he said, explaining that water in the hull will weigh down the boat.

Farr and Pires are part of a 22-person, 11-boat team representing the NBYC in the 420 races. Two-hundred and fifty youths—all aged 18 and under—competed with Laser, 420, or Optis boats.

They gear up in spray pants, waterproof tops, and special boots to keep them dry. Topped with lifejackets and a trap harness—which allows them to keep the boat level by hanging out of it—they are ready to go.

Post-launch, every racer will spend eight hours on the water. “They throw lunch at you. The only time you come in is at the end of the regatta,” explained Pires. They will reiterate the process of prepping their boats, filing into the water, and completing about five races on Sunday, before again hoisting their vessels onto the shore.

“It’s good to be friendly with the person you’re sailing with,” said Pires, explaining that neither she nor Farr bring a phone or music onto the boat.

The two don’t have high expectations for placing. “My first regatta, I came in last place. That was pretty memorable,” said Pires about a race late in the 2015 season.

“That same regatta, I got first place,” said Farr. “Out on the water, it’s a whole other world. You don’t have to do be super competitive and serious to do well. We try to keep it fun.”

Cheering the two are coach Camden Tougas, Farr’s grandfather Gerry Queen, Pires’ brother Andre (who inspired Pires’ involvement), and participants’ parents, including NBYC members Jeff Davis and Karen Woodcock.

Around 10 a.m., the two set off in their 420 sailboat, Farr in the visor he only wears for competitions. “It’s a lot of money, so I only wear it at regattas,” he said.

By lunch, the team’s boat—named “The Hidden Agenda” by Farr—crosses the finish line, putting them in the top 20 for the first race of the day.