Latitude 38 VOLUME 394 April 2010 WE GO WHERE THE WIND BLOWS APRIL 2010 VOLUME 394 THE ANTIDOTE — At first glance you might think modern American kids have it all: high- def TVs, computers, cell phones, iPods, the incidence of both childhood obesity remote-controlled toys, cutting-edge and diabetes are rising dramatically. video gaming devices, and more. But to Yikes! What's a parent to do? our way of thinking there's often an un- We think part of the solution is to seen 'cost' to the boundless acquisition fi nd outdoor physical activities that are of such high-tech gadgetry. That is, each both fun and engaging, while building successive generation seems to spend muscle, agility, and self-confi dence. Kids' sailing programs do just that. In fact, we like to think of them as the antidote for what we call the 'adolescent couch potato syndrome'. As you'll learn in these pages, the Bay Area offers a wealth of opportunities for kids 7 to 18 years old, from all socioeco- nomic backgrounds. Many Bay Area yacht clubs have instructional 'junior' pro- grams for kids, particularly during the summer months. And there are also a number of community sailing programs specifi cally designed to make the sport accessible to any and all Bay Area youngsters. Yacht Club Programs KEVIN WILKINSON / SBYC As you'll see in the accom- After completing SBYC's Intermediate Pro- panying sidebar, there are at least 16 gram, these young grads raced their FJ all the Bay Area YCs that offer summer sailing way ot Benicia in the Jazz Cup! programs, and nearly a dozen that offer less time engaged in good old-fashioned them during the school year. Most have outdoor play, having traded time spent been operating successfully for many grams for folks who can prove fi nancial in the great outdoors — a favorite realm years, thanks to dedicated club volun- need. It's important to note that parents of youth in generations past — for indoor teers who organize events, teach classes, usually do not have to be club members. time on the couch. and do maintenance on the boats. Right At YCs where youth membership is re- The problem is exacerbated, of course, now is an ideal time to check out their quired, kids are typically offered a youth by the fact that many modern parents various offerings in order to get your kids membership rate between $15 and $55. are afraid to let their kids roam their signed up well before summer begins, as The idea, after all, is to bring new blood neighborhoods unchaperoned, while most programs have limited openings. into the sport, not to set up deal-break- school budget woes have resulted in phys Although most YC summer sessions ing obstacles. Most clubs require that ed classes and after-school sports being charge a fee, many offer scholarship pro- young trainees know how to swim, but scaled back further every year. We prob- It's gratifying for YC volunteers to share their do not require previous boating experi- ably needn't remind you that two tragic expertise, while students discover a healthy ence. byproducts of this grim reality are that new outdoor endeavor — everybody wins! At YCs, the focus is almost always on dinghy sailing, as the idea is to build basic skills which will serve as a solid foundation for a lifetime of sailing fun. By contrast, some non-YC programs are run aboard large keelboats, as their primary goal is just to give kids their fi rst introduction to the nautical world. A wide range of boats are used in ju- nior programs, and in most cases they're provided at no additional cost. The vast majority of young sailors start out in El Toros or Optimist prams. Once they learn the ropes, they're likely to move up to Lasers, and eventually to two-person FJs or 420s (both jib-and-main boats). Some clubs also work with nearby high schools to provide race training and sup- KEVIN WILKINSON / SBYC YOUTH ACCESS TO BAY SAILING the Center's programs have continu- ally expanded over the years to promote in fact, probably wish they'd sailing and ecological awareness to the had such opportunities broadest possible spectrum — including when they were young. at-risk kids, and those who are mentally Community Access Programs For the purposes of this overview, we'll lump together all non- yacht club sailing op- tions. But in fact, they each have distinctly different qualities and offerings. That said, all 'community-access' programs do tend to share the same over- arching goal: to expose as many kids (and/or adults) as possible to the joys of sailing in the Bay Area's unique van GOOL ROBERT aquatic realm. Often, kids With fl at water and stiff breeze, the Sail Camps also come away with a put on by Sailing Education Adventure and the greater awareness of the Marin YC amount to big summer fun. Bay's delicate marine eco- or physically disabled. A broad range of system, and an apprecia- programs give 7- to-18-year-old trainees tion for the region's colorful exposure to sailing aboard dinghies as maritime heritage. Most, if well as Moore 24s and J/24s. not all such programs, have Thanks to extensive community sup- provisions for kids to sail port and volunteer fundraising, nearly for free through need-based 80% of participating kids sail for free. RICHARD GILLETTE grants and scholarships. With its unique location at the edge of While sailing beneath the Golden Gate aboard This fact has led to one of their greatest Clipper Cove — renowned for brisk wind 'Pegasus' it's no wonder these East Bay kids successes, as they are accessible to dis- over fl at water — the Center conducts are all smiles. advantaged youth who otherwise might serious racing classes here also, and has port racing teams. never have a chance to set foot aboard a hosted at least one national one design YC junior programs tend to be a win- sailboat, let alone learn to operate one. championship. ning idea all the way around: The kids For many years, savvy corporations Oakland Park & Recreation Dept. have a blast, get some healthy exercise, have used 'team-building' exercises — Two other 'gems' which greatly ben- gain an appreciation for the simple phys- aboard sailboats to build character efi t Bay Area kids are the Lake Merritt ics of wind power, and perhaps even pick among their employees and foster Boating Center, near the city center, and within them an appreciation for mutual the Jack London Aquatic Center, located cooperation. The teamwork required Beginning sailors learn the ropes in the calm Each successive to maneuver a big keelboat or rig and waters of the Paradise Cay Yacht Harbor, during generation seems to spend launch a fl eet of sailing dinghies yields a Tiburon YC summer session. similar results in kids of less time engaged in good all ages. old-fashioned outdoor play. Here's a quick look at some popular community programs: up a lifelong hobby. The club members Treasure Island Sailing have fun sharing their expertise, while Center — Located literally getting to know potential future club in the middle of the Cen- members — or possibly future sailing tral Bay, this multi-facet- rockstars. (John Kostecki and Melissa ed facility is well-named, Purdy both spent a lot of time in the as it is indeed a 'treasure' Richmond YC's program, as did Paul for the surrounding com- Cayard before moving on to the St. Fran- munities. Established cis.) And the kids' parents come away by a group of Bay racers with the satisfaction of knowing they've in 1999 after the City of introduced their son or daughter to a San Francisco obtained new form of active, outdoor fun. Many, use of T.I. from the Navy, YOLANDA LOPEZ THE ANTIDOTE — callofthesea.org, www.callofthesea.org A FULL MENU OF KIDS' SAILING OPTIONS Nehemiah, Richmond — See article text. Investigate further details at: www.latitude38.com/YRASchedule/youth.html Rod & Joni Phillips, (510) 234-5054, captain@ and at the websites of individual organizations. sailingacross.com; www. sailingacross.com Oakland Parks & Rec Dept. — Sarah along the north shore of YACHT CLUB PROGRAMS 8-14; Pinto Lake, Watsonville; Sun, Sep-Mar; in Herbelin, (510) 238-2196, www.oaklandnet.com/ the Oakland-Alameda Benicia YC — Derith Lutz, (707) 746-0739, El Toros (some available for charter); $60 + $55 parks/Prgms/boating.asp • After-School Learn-to- Estuary. www.beniciayachtclub.com • Summer Prgm, ages YC junior membership; Scholarships available • Sail Prgm, 5th-8th graders; Lake Merritt Boating A number of intro- 9-12 & 13-18; Two 5-wk sessions Jun-Aug, Tues- Scholastic Prgm, grades 8-12 from Pacifi c Col- Center; Wed or Tue & Thu in school year; in Optis ductory programs are day afternoons; in DeWitt Dinghies, Optis and El legiate, Santa Cruz, and Soquel High Schools; (provided); $145/10 wks • Basic, Intermediate Toros (provided). Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor; Saturdays, September- Summer Prgm, ages 7-18; Lake Merritt Boating offered at the lake for Encinal YC (Alameda) — Billy Zlotocha, March; in FJs (provided), Lasers, 420s • Advanced Center; One-wk sessions, Jun-Aug; in kayaks, grade-schoolers, includ- (510) 769-0221, www.encinal.org • Summer Sailing Prgm, independent competitors; in Moore dragonboats, Optis, Sunfi sh, Bytes, JY15s, La- ing after-school Learn- Prgm, ages 8-18, all levels; 3-wk sessions, Jun- 24s (provided), Lasers, 29ers, etc. (BYOB). sers (provided); $145/Oakland residents; $172/ to-Sail courses in El Aug, Mon-Thu; in Optis, Lasers, FJs, 420s (pro- Sausalito YC — Dan Leininger, (415) 332- non-residents • Advanced Summer Prgm, ages Toros.