That competitive spirit and support for each other shows up at every meet. Whether cheering during routines or sitting front row for a teammate’s event, the team brings energy and encouragement wherever they go; they even bring it outside of competition, with team dinners and bonding nights.
Jump rope is not the only niche club sport at UNC, though.
Over at Jordan Lake, the UNC-CH Sailing Club channels that same blend of fun and focus, but on the water.
Senior John Cole McGee, the club’s president, started sailing at age 7, with his dad coaching in a kayak next to him. At UNC, McGee found a team that’s just as passionate.
“Especially as a freshman without a car, sailing allowed me to get off campus, spend evenings on the lake and travel across the Southeast for regattas,” McGee wrote. “It’s been one of the best parts of my time at UNC.”
The club’s season includes beginner clinics, “fun sails” and travel for competition nearly every weekend. Members range from first-time sailors to lifelong racers. To help bridge that gap, the club recently launched a “transition sail” program — a middle ground for people who are learning the ropes but are not quite ready for competition.
The team carpools to competitions, often staying together in Airbnbs for weekend races. Sometimes they are intense, facing off against varsity-level programs with paid coaches.
At other times, though, they relax by the water.
“Sometimes, the team is very competitive, and sometimes, it wants to enjoy a weekend at the beach,” McGee wrote. “Either way, regatta weekends are always fun.”
McGee found the club during his first year at UNC.
“I joined for the community, the flexibility of a sports club and the prospect of building on my skills and leading,” McGee wrote.
Like jump rope, the sailing club takes pride in being accessible. Whether you’re an experienced sailor or have never set foot on a boat, there’s room on the team and a spot in the carpool.
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For both clubs, the joy comes not just from the sport itself, but from the people who make it meaningful.