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There's no way to control the four winds, but you can learn to harness them.
The sailing club at Chico State teaches those willing to learn how to wear, tack and sail free.
Team coach David Baker was a team member last year. This year, he's behind the team tiller.
Baker is trying to put together a squad of interested sailors, no matter what kind of background they have with ropes and sails, he said.
"If someone has raced around the world, I'd love to have them," Baker said. "If someone has never seen a sail boat before, I'd love to have them, too."
Baker, who has been sailing since he was 5 or 6 years old, is eager to teach novices how to work with a team to get the most out of a boat, he said.
The San Diego native has worked on both "The Star of India" - the oldest active wood sailing ship in the world - and the sailing ship known as "Surprise," the star of the movie "Master and Commander," Baker said.
He's also a former America's Cup racer. Needless to say, he's got some experience with team sailing. All he needs now is a bigger team to teach.
Only about six or seven sailors are regulars at team practices, he said. So Baker wants anyone he can get.
"We welcome all sailors," he said.
When the team recruits more members, Baker hopes to get involved in some competitive races, known as regattas, he said.
"At this point, the club is not competitive," Baker said. "Most of our club members are first-time sailors, but we hope to start entering some regattas with returning members next year."
Club president Paul Ruiz is one of those returning members.
The Monterey Bay native grew up next to the water but never did any sailing until he got to Chico, he said.
Looking for an inexpensive way to get into the sport, he paid the club fee - usually between $50 and $100 - and was instantly addicted, Ruiz said.
"I fell in love with it," Ruiz said. "I'd have to liken it to a car guy getting track time on the weekend. It's just a lot of fun."
Right now, fun is the only thing on the club's agenda. Practices usually involve some on- shore teaching from Baker, then free sailing for the rest of the day. The team practices at the Forebay Aquatic Center on Lake Oroville.
It's a long way to drive, but it's worth the payoff, Ruiz said, who describes the sailing experience in just two words.
"It's unbelievable," he said.
Jose Rojas can be reached at jrojas@theorion.com
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