Bay. For non-sailors, it's an invitation to connect with sailing at one of the dozens of Bay Area sailing programs and facilities that are open and available to the public on the SailSFBay.org website. For current sailors, this means starting their summer of sailing by hoisting sails on the summer solstice weekend of June 20-21.
Kids from all around the Bay can easily access sailing through the Treasure Island Sailing Center on Clipper Cove. The Sailing Center offers a wide variety of sailing programs for people from all backgrounds, with scholarships available to many meeting the financial requirements. Photo Courtesy of Treasure Island Sailing Center
By BC Staff
Published: June, 2015
Ever wanted to sail the Bay? As part of the 15th annual worldwide Summer Sailstice celebration of sailing, many SailSFBay.org affiliate organizations are inviting Bay Area residents to come out for a sail on the Bay. For non-sailors, it’s an invitation to connect with sailing at one of the dozens of Bay Area sailing programs and facilities that are open and available to the public on the SailSFBay.org website. For current sailors, this means starting their summer of sailing by hoisting sails on the summer solstice weekend of June 20-21.
The Summer Sailstice website again plays host by allowing everyone to discover sailing opportunities in the Bay Area—or, in fact, anywhere in the world. People can find nearby sailing event and post their weekend sailing plans to showcase their weekend in the life of sailing.
“We really want to make people aware of just how accessible sailing is,” said Travis Lund of the Treasure Island Sailing Center and member of the SailSFBay steering committee. “With seven million people living in the Bay Area, there are just too many people who don’t know how to connect to sailing on the Bay and, with all the affiliated SailSFBay.org organizations, it’s much easier than most people think.”
While the California sailing season is really all year long, the summer solstice weekend works out to be an ideal time celebrate all aspects of sailing. School’s out, there’s maximum daylight, and the peak summer sailing season is about to begin. The summer sailing season includes numerous summer camps, community sailing programs, charter boats, cruising clubs and numerous other sailing entities active with both new and experienced sailors.
“I grew up as a small boat sailor in New England and, like so many lifelong sailors, have always wanted to share the sailing I’ve enjoyed,” said Summer Sailstice founder John Arndt. “I think more people should know how to get out and sail San Francisco Bay, which is right here at everyone’s doorstep and is a world-renowned sailing venue. The Bay Area has plenty of breeze, sunshine, protected waters and dozens of facilities to learn, rent and connect to the sailing the Bay.”
The concept of sailing was discovered over 4,000 years ago, but many people living today have yet to discover its everlasting magic. Simple, small boats on protected Bay and Delta waters take thousands of people sailing every year. “There are dozens of learn-to-sail programs from community programs like Lake Merritt Sailing Center in the heart of downtown Oakland, Cal Sailing Club on the Berkeley shore to professional, commercial sailing schools and yacht club youth programs open to non-members and members alike,” said Lund.
Lund continued: “For Summer Sailstice we’re encouraging as many SailSFBay.org affiliates as possible to throw open the doors, hoist their sails and get as many people out on the water as possible. When new people discover sailing at any of these facilities they discover one of our great escapes, a place to learn new skills, meet new people, relax and enjoy one of America’s best forms of environmentally friendly, wind-powered, close-to-home adventures. And there’s no better family time than sailing time.”
The Summer Sailstice website allows everyone to find an event near them. The events are marked by either a yellow pin, meaning that the event is open to the public, or a red pin meaning a demonstration event showcasing the best of sailing life. When you browse the site you’ll find all kinds of sailing, from cruising and racing to tall ships to backyard dinghies. The beauty, fun, simplicity and accessibility of sailing is all on display and being celebrated across the United States on the Summer Sailstice weekend. Find a boat, jump aboard and hoist your sails to start your summer of sailing.
To learn more about Summer Sailstice, visit www.summersailstice.com and visit SailSFBay at www.sailsfbay.org. In addition, Bay Crossings includes numerous sailing activities every month in its Waterfront Activities section, located this month on pages 18 and 19.
The annual build-a-boat-in-a-day contest is always a fun event during Summer Sailstice at the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda. Photo by John Arndt
