Samara Walshe ’25 is a four-year Senior from New York City, a co-captain of Varsity Sailing, and a member of JV Girls Hockey. She is committed to sail at Stanford University next year.
Finn Grainger ’28 said, “Samara is an amazing captain. She is really fun on the team and knows how to keep us serious without making it feel overwhelming. Since I knew her before coming on the team, her help getting acquainted with everyone on the team really helped as a new Prep.”
How did you start sailing?
I started sailing on Martha’s Vineyard when I was eight years old. My older brothers sailed at our yacht club, and I got dragged into it. I then branched off to sail in Connecticut and Rhode Island as I grew up.
Why did you choose to come to Hotchkiss?
My brothers went to Exeter, but Exeter doesn’t have a sailing team. So I figured Hotchkiss was the next best option—with rigorous academics, but also a sailing team.
What is a favorite moment from your sailing career here?
My Prep year at New Englands, we originally thought we’d lost. Our team had so much potential that year, and we supposed we had the upper hand. Everyone was crying and calling their parents on the bus. We thought our dream of making it to nationals was over.
But a Senior on our team ended up fighting with the jury. A complication with the rules was discovered that resulted in us winning. This was a huge moment for us.
Another core memory was last year when we were racing Brunswick in Greenwich. One of the Olsen twins [Pierce and Fynn Olsen ’25] hit one of my good friends on the Brunswick team, his boat flipped over, and he fell in the water. My Brunswick friend was screaming at him and the entire situation was chaotic. But it was really funny, and we still make fun of him for it.
What is one of your favorite experiences as co-captain?
I really enjoyed leading workouts during our spring break trip this year in San Diego—specifically, forcing everyone to go on a run and do group stretching. I’m really happy I got to be a captain for two years now.
What was your college recruitment process like?
My recruitment started in the summer after my Lower Mid year. I emailed some coaches, some coaches emailed me, and when it came to the fall of Upper Mid year, I was able to narrow down my choices to two schools. That January, I chose Stanford.
Why did you choose Stanford?
I was debating between Harvard and Stanford. I felt that Stanford treated their athletes much better. They are like royalty there—with more freedom, good food, etc. As an athlete, that is really important to me.
I also don’t want to be in the Northeast again. Winters are so brutal and cold, and seasonal depression is real. I’m ready to go out to California.
What are your goals for college and beyond?
As a sailor at Stanford, I want to win a national championship. Hopefully, I can become captain of that team as well. I also want to be able to balance academics and athletics, which will be extremely challenging with Stanford’s rigorous academics. I’m undecided on my major, but I’ve always been interested in the mechanics behind sailing, which has led me to consider engineering.
Do you have any advice for new sailors?
Let yourself struggle and ask lots of questions. It’s not that hard to get to a decent level in sailing quickly. For example, Nola Lai ’25 started sailing during spring break this year. She was always in the meetings asking questions, and she’s gotten a lot better. If you put the work in, I believe any Prep could be on varsity starting in their Upper Mid year.
What is your favorite thing about sailing?
I love being able to see all my friends from across the country when I go to compete in California and Florida. The sailing world is very small, and everyone knows everyone. It’s nice to have a tight-knit community.
