Everything Under The Sun: Sailing On The SF Bay With Local Youth

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Sailing On The SF Bay With Local Youth

One of the youngsters takes a turn at the wheel.

Inner city youth learning the joy of sailing. It all happens in San Francisco, courtesy of the BLUE WATER FOUNDATION. While enjoying the sights and sounds of a short voyage in the San Francisco Bay, away from their usual neighborhood haunts, these youths learn about the tasks involved in making that sail so enjoyable.

The Foundation has been working closely with San Francisco public schools. Available to every public school student in the area, the group offers three-hour sails on the Bay, beginning every Thursday at noon, with students required to be at the marina by 11:30 AM. One of the perks for the students is being given that chance to navigate at the wheel.

Because of storms during March, some of the sails had to be rescheduled. But those circumstances led some of the boat captains to search out and purchase inexpensive raingear for the students, so that sails could still take place under rainy, but not stormy conditions.

Captains Ron and Tim coordinate the above sails, which are known as the Exploration Sails Program. This particular program has been in operation for about 25 years. As part of their community outreach program, police officers will be joining the sails as volunteers.

Another set of programs occur as Community Group Sails, led by Captain Les. They usually take place on board Bear, departing from San Francisco. The Student Conservation Association has been participating, mostly on Sundays, with the next sail being April 17. Project Avary, which serves students who have an incarcerated parent, has also been participating. Their next sail is May 21. There is a hope that Honor Jackson or Mike Carter, both ex-NFL players, can join the sail.

Then Ocean's Gate Program, which serves probation departments, is expanding. The Alameda County Probation Department students from Camp Sweeney have been participating in these sails. They sailed on the Benjamin Waters last month and are scheduled to for monthly sails through late spring. The girls program at Camp Sweeney is where the expansion occurred. The girls sailed for the first time on April 9, with an all-women crew, under the direction of Captain Bill.

The El Dorado Probation Department has been involved in monthly sails and will also have one this month; Captains Bill and Lee are in charge. Other probation departments are being asked if there is any interest in the Ocean's Gate Program for their students. Program leaders are arranging for meetings this month.

One of the boats used by the Foundation.

There are also additional programs, sails, and events, taking place at the Foundation. That even includes various certification trainings. We wish all of those participating in sails a happy voyage and great learning adventure.