Cooper Dressler was on hand to help the local Red Bull Youth America’s Cup squad celebrate christening its training boat last week.

This is important because the Oracle Team USA sailor is proof of the opportunity the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup affords.

While finishing his degree at the University of California, Dressler was sailing with the American Youth Sailing Force team in the inaugural Red Bull event in 2013. His team finished fifth out of the ten entries.

However, being exposed to such a high level of sailing and professionalism had a massive impact on Dressler and within a few months, he had quit his job with an engineering firm to pursue working full-time in sailing — but it was far from a glamorous start.

The story of his professional career is a tale of starting from the bottom.

“I started working with Oracle Team USA as a labourer at the base in San Francisco after the last America’s Cup,” Dressler said. “There were plenty of days I was ready to pack it in, but I held out, and it paid off.”

Dressler became known as the kid who would go above and beyond in doing whatever he was asked, and over time he moved from doing odd jobs around the base to joining the rigging department. After about six months with the team in Bermuda, he was asked to join the sailing team.

“It was a bit of a trial by fire,” Dressler said. “The first time I was on the sport boat it was as a guest. You just hang on and try not to get hosed off the boat. I’ll never forget the first bear away we did when the boat popped up on the foils — a huge adrenalin rush — an unforgettable experience.”

Now he is just one of the crew. From early morning workouts to long sailing days, the never-give-up attitude still serves him well. And it’s something he would like to pass along to the Bermuda sailors who are getting their opportunity with Team BDA.

“Don’t take this chance for granted,” he said. “Don’t waste it. There are hundreds of people who want to be doing what you’re doing.

“This whole experience will happen fast. It will be over before you know it. That doesn’t mean it can’t be fun, but make sure you take advantage of everything this opportunity gives you, whether it’s the coaching, the contacts you’ll meet, or learning about how to be a pro.”

With those words of wisdom, Dressler sounds like a seasoned veteran. But he’s only a few years removed from being in the position the Team BDA recruits are in today.

“It was a bit surreal being at the boat christening last week to be honest,” Dressler said. “I can remember doing that exact same thing — being introduced for the first time in front of sponsors and media. So I can definitely relate to what they were going through. They seem like a great bunch, I wish them all the best.”