Emma Ball, a Mid-Pacific junior, is headed for the Olympics.

Despite only having participated in the sport for two years, she plans to try out for the 2028 Olympics in the new iQ (a windsurfing class selected by World Sailing to replace the RS:X for the 2024 Summer Olympics) foil windsurfing class.

The Olympics are arranged to take place in Los Angeles, California.

On average, Ball trains 2-3 days a week with Windclub Hawai’i and their windfoilers to prepare.

During the summer or on long weekends, she trains around five days a week. This results in her juggling of school, dance, iQing, and rock climbing.

“It’s really hard to train more than three days a week. On the days I’m not trying, I go to the rock climbing gym and strengthen my arms and such. This sport is very wind dependent, so if the whole week is light wind, I usually won’t go out,” Ball said.

For Ball to participate in the Olympics, she must train and compete at events to qualify for the United States (U.S.) Women’s team.

To attain her goal, Ball trains with Wind Club Hawaii at the Kaneohe or Kailua yacht club. She is also on the US sailing team.

“Some of my coaches are Sammy, Tom, as well as the coaches that come to Hawaii for the Olympic development camps, who are Adrien and Maxi. [I also train] with other coaches from around the world,” Ball said.

“Most importantly, my number one coach is Jesse. He is always out there helping by running classes and has been my first coach at Kaneohe Yacht Club. He helps out with everything and is Kaneohe Yacht Club’s sailing director,” Ball said.

Despite difficulties she may encounter, Ball’s motivation for the sport stems from the gratification it offers.

“It’s an extremely fun sport where the foul gives you so much speed and power that I feel like I’m flying,” Ball said.