A Port Alberni teenager will be chasing the wind and travelling the world this school year after receiving a scholarship to a prestigious kiteboarding school.

Sam Gentleman, 17, has been accepted to the World Class Kiteboard Academy, which is an accredited private high school based in the U.S. that combines academics, athletics, travel and cultural immersion with the sport of kiteboarding.

Students will be B次元官网网址渃hasing the windB次元官网网址� across the world this fall and winter, travelling to Greece, Brazil, Australia and Italy. Days will consist of school in the morning and kiteboarding in the afternoon. Students will also be able to explore and learn about each of the countries they are visiting.

Sam was the only Canadian accepted this year, and one of only 16 students selected from around the world.

B次元官网网址淚 heard about it from a friend and applied kind of last minute,B次元官网网址� Sam explained. B次元官网网址淚 liked the way it soundedB次元官网网址攊t was something I wanted to do. There was no way I wasnB次元官网网址檛 going to apply. They responded right away and were really welcoming.B次元官网网址�

He went through a rigorous application process, where he had to write seven essays and provide an athletic resum茅, then went through an interview process. In the end, Sam was accepted and received a scholarship to cover most of his tuition.

B次元官网网址淚 still have to pay for travel expenses,B次元官网网址� he said.

SamB次元官网网址檚 father, Rob Gentleman, explained that it can be B次元官网网址渜uite expensiveB次元官网网址� travelling around the world with kiteboarding gear. Kiteboarding is a sport where riders use wind power, a board and a large kite to pull them across the waterB次元官网网址檚 surface.

Sam first started kiteboarding last summer at China Creek Campground and B次元官网网址渓oved it right away.B次元官网网址� Both of his parents kiteboard, which is what first piqued his interest.

B次元官网网址淚 fell in love with it and wanted to keep doing it as much as I can,B次元官网网址� said Sam.

Although China Creek is a popular location for kiteboarders, it has its downsides.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 the only one there under the age of 25,B次元官网网址� Sam explained. B次元官网网址淣obodyB次元官网网址檚 pushing me there. I wanted to see what it would be like to kite with people my age.B次元官网网址�

In addition, the thermals at China Creek die down in the fall, so he canB次元官网网址檛 kiteboard year-round.

Rob explained that kiteboarding is a unique sport, in that it depends entirely on the wind.

B次元官网网址淚t makes you appreciate when you do get a session,B次元官网网址� he said.

Sam attended one competition in Mexico shortly after he started kiteboarding, but otherwise this will be his first experience kiteboarding competitively.

B次元官网网址淗e won the biggest crash award,B次元官网网址� Rob laughed.

Outside of kiteboarding, Sam is involved in a number of other sports. He is a mountain bike coach for the City of Port Alberni and he also plays basketball and skis in the wintertime. He was previously involved in track and field, soccer and badminton.

But kiteboarding has now taken the lead, said Sam.

B次元官网网址淚 like the ability to learn new things quickly,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏eing able to ride with other people and push each other to learn new things. IB次元官网网址檝e built so many relationships through kiteboardingB次元官网网址攊n Mexico I made so many new friends. ThereB次元官网网址檚 also the adrenaline rush,B次元官网网址� he added with a laugh.

Although the academy is focused on kiteboarding, students are required to keep their academic marks high in order to go out on the water.

B次元官网网址淔un will be motivating [Sam] to get his schoolwork done,B次元官网网址� Rob joked.

Sam says he is most looking forward to meeting new people and building relationships on his journey.

B次元官网网址淧lus going to all these new places and learning things about the world,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd it will be good for my future. College applications are coming up and having this on my resume will give me a huge lead.B次元官网网址�

While SamB次元官网网址檚 scholarship will cover most of his tuition, he is still looking for sponsorships to help with covering travel and gear expenses. A fundraiser can be found at GoFundMe by searching B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址� and interested sponsors can reach out to Rob Gentleman through this fundraiser.

Sam also plans to start a blog where people can follow his journey throughout the year. In the meantime, he can be found on .

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