12 year old sailor heading west!

My name is Matthew McGonigal, I'm 12 years old and I live in Clearwater, Florida.  Sailing is my passion.  When I was 5 I started sailing, my grandmother brought me to sailing camp, and I kept on going again and again.

I recently received an award for 2019 Optimist SE Championship (which is a sailing regatta). I placed 4th out of 83 sailors.  The age category that competes is age 11 to 15.

This competition qualified me to sail/race in 2019 Team Trials in Marina Del Rey, California. There will be 250 participants competing to be on "Team USA" (the biggest sailing race for Optimist in the United States).

I hope to be one to join the action with your help.  More info can be found on the home page for the United States Optimist Dinghy Association https:www.usoda.org/ Then click on CALIFORNIA YACHT CLUB TO HOST 2019 OPTIMIST TEAM TRIALS. 

The expenses I'm asking for your help with are;  I have to register, I have to fly there with Dad (from Tampa to Los Angeles), then rent a boat, pay for a hotel and food.   My coach, Justin, is required to be there, Dad and I are responsible for a percentage of his expenses.

Thanks for helping me go West!

Matthew