Molly Riihiluoma grew up on the water and thought that every child in Bermuda had a similar experience.

Her parents sailed; her brothers sailed; she was rarely away from the surf.

As a head instructor for the America’s Cup Endeavour Programme, she welcomes a new group of M1 students every week — many of whom can’t swim.

“Everyone arrives on Monday morning nervous and apprehensive about what they’re about to do, but you see them come around on that first day,” said Ms Riihiluoma.

“You really see their eyes light up. They warm to it a lot more and by day three you can’t get them off the boat.

“It’s such an exciting time to ignite their passion for sailing. They’re sailing next to the best sailors in the world.”

The impact on the community has been “incredible”, she said.

“[It’s exposed] kids that wouldn’t have had the opportunity to go sailing before being introduced to the programme. It’s done a really good job of introducing other Bermudians that may not have gotten the opportunity to be involved as much as they can.”

The 22-year-old spent summers coaching the Sea Squirts at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. She cut her human resources studies at Highpoint University short when she got the call to join Endeavour in January.

“I watched the last America’s Cup in my freshman year at college in 2013 and I remember how exciting that was. For Bermuda to get a bid and then be chosen to host the next America’s Cup was incredible.

“[This experience] introduced me to the idea of working with a team of people that are all dedicated to doing the best that they can, and putting on an event that’s so dynamic kind of made me fall in love with it even more — not just the sport, but the team behind it.”

In September she’ll head to Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island to study marketing with a minor in sports management.

“It’s kind of made me re-evaluate school, realising that once you find something you love to do, the excitement to go back and learn about it is even more is incredible.

“And being able to excite these kids about sailing makes you fall in love with it even more.”

The Endeavour programme is made up of six modules created using the Steam (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) approach to education.

“Once we’ve covered a few classroom modules we take it to the water and apply what we’ve done,” Ms Riihiluoma said.

“It’s just like any school day [but] obviously, being able to sail during your school day’s a little different.”

Students are invited back for another two weeks based on such things as their willingness to learn, teamwork and attitude.

“You get two whole weeks with the same group of kids, so developing relationships with them and getting to know their personalities even better has been incredible,” she said.

“I don’t have a competitive sailing background, whereas our other coach Katrina [Williams] does.

“[I enjoy] being able to show kids that it doesn’t need to be a competitive sport — it also doesn’t need to be sailing. If you’re comfortable being on the water find a way to get out there whether it be windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkelling, swimming; if you enjoy it you don’t have to compete.”

Her brother Oliver sailed competitively for Bermuda and was recruited by a sailing college; she didn’t take to the sport at first.

“I grew up on the water. Born and raised in Somerset, having parents [Sue and Jay Riihiluoma] that were water enthusiasts and brothers that enjoyed spending time on the water, I couldn’t help but have a passion for it.

“My parents thought it would be a good idea to get me involved. I ended up hating it.

“I’d eject myself out of the opti every time it got close to rocks.”

Despite that imperfect introduction, she will “110 per cent” miss her current role when it’s done. Her hope is to stay “in the sailing circle” by getting involved with the Volvo Ocean Race next year.

“I’m taking it all for granted right now. It’s going to be hard in Newport, Rhode Island in the winter when it’s snowing and grey.

“I’ll think back to this time when I was on the water, sailing with kids with bright pink sails on Bermuda’s blue waters.”