What would you say if someone told you Penn State had a sailing team? You would think he or she was crazy, right?

Here in Centre County, with the nearest ocean or major river at least three hours away, you will find the Penn State sailing team, a club with a very rich past that has been rejuvenated in recent years.

The sailing team is looking to continue its success tomorrow at the third-annual Nittany Lion Open.

For those of you who have no idea what goes on at a sailing regatta, it is simply a race around what is called a modified inverted triangle 3/4 of a mile long, and is only one lap long, according to club member Scott Umbel.

The team will be competing against six other teams from around the mid-atlantic region in fifteen races. Racing starts at 10 a.m. at Lake Glendale, located just near Tyrone, and will conclude at 5 p.m.

This club started over 20 years ago and consisted of over 80 members all with a passion for sailing.

This passion translated into a national ranking for the team. In fact, sisters of the team went on to compete in the American Cup, the equivalent of the Super Bowl for sailing according to current president -- or commadore, in sailing terms -- Carrie Waddle.

Eventually, for various reasons such as loss of interest and drop in membership, the club was shut down.

In the early 90s, the club was brought back by a few die-hard sailors who had little money but a passion for the sport. By 1993 the club had a full two-semester schedule for competition.

This passion has brought the sport back on track to be as competitive and successful as it once was a long time ago. According to Umbel, the team has just purchased from Saint Mary's College eight FJ's, or flying juniors. These boats are the newest edition to the rapid growing co-ed club team.

Umbel also stressed the fact that, "This is a sport that involves physical ability, but mental strength as well. It is not by any means the preppy stereotype it has received from the past."

"Thirty new members have joined just this semester, and their interest has been very enthusiastic, said sailing club vice president Tammy Larzelere.

The team competes in the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association conference, the equivalent of the Big Ten conference to Penn State football. It consists of 32 teams throughout the mid-atlantic region.

Last year the No. 16 sailing team competed in the finals of the MAISA sailing championship. If the team is not back to its ranks of old yet, it's certainly on its way. What may be so impressive in this comeback is the fact that there is no coach to guide them, just the leaders of the team.

The rich history of this club has been brought back, so the team will be reading the winds as it continues its success.