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Youth Sailing

San Francisco Bay Area Youth Sailing Programs

Looking for a new way to inspire and entertain your kids this year? 

The Bay Area boasts dozens of youth sailing and sailing-related programs, listed below. Many offer scholarships, and with rare exceptions, you don’t need to have your own boat. Unless noted below, club membership is not necessary.

High school sailing for students in grades 9–12 takes place around Northern California in the Pacific Coast Interscholastic Sailing Association. If your high school doesn’t have a team, or enough students to field a team, don’t fret. Most programs allow students from several schools to form a single team.

Alameda Community Sailing Center

Location: Encinal Boat Ramp in Alameda
Contact: Emily Zugnoni, ACSC Program Director
Phone: (510) 629-9282
Email: sailalameda.org

Description: ACSC is a nonprofit community sailing center and a US Sailing Siebel Sailors Program. Scholarships available for all programs. Extended care available. All sailors welcome!

Programs
-After-School Sailing Club: Ages 7–17. All levels. Six-week sessions in spring and fall.
-Spring Break Camp: Ages 7–12. April 11–15.
-Two-Week Summer Camps: Ages 7–17. All levels. June-August. Staggered starts approximately 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
-Adult/Family Weekend Dinghy Courses: Ages 7–99. Beginner and intermediate. Spring, summer, fall. $280 for first in your group; $130 for subsequent guests.
-Open Sailing Days: Every Saturday. Spring, summer, and fall. $30/boat •

Bay View Boat Club and Mariposa Hunters Point YC (San Francisco)

Email: [email protected] 
Location: 489 Terry Francois Blvd., San Francisco, CA

Description: Entry-level youth sailing on club boats for 8–15 years old. $35 per day and scholarships available. Dates TBA Saturday and Sunday. •

Benicia YC

Contact: Dan Carnahan
Phone: (707) 747-1808
Email: [email protected]
Location: Benicia Yacht Club, Benicia, CA

Description: Dates TBA in late March. YC member discounts, sibling and multiple-camp discounts, and scholarships are available for all programs.

Programs
-Half-Day Camps: Ages 8–12 with no sailing experience. Cost: $275.
-Full-Day: One-week camps, ages 10–18 or young sailors with experience. Cost: $375. •

Blue Water Foundation (San Francisco)
Phone: (415) 392-2018
 
Programs
-Thursday Sails: Afternoon sail programs with San Francisco schools and SFPD to build relationships and provide experience to at-risk youth in the City.
-Ocean’s Gate Program: Working with Alameda County Probation Department; convicted youth are given the opportunity to make their way back to society; offering both daysails and a multi-month intensive sail-training program.
-Community Sail Programs: Community group sails, ranging from science programs and S.F. Rec and Park programs to Project Avery and Edgewood Kinship, organizations for children of incarcerated parents. Weekdays and weekends.
-Probation Dept. Sails: With various youth probation departments throughout the Bay Area and Nevada City/El Dorado County foothills, taking their incarcerated students and students on probation on repeat sails. Emphasis on building teamwork and self-confidence; mentor system is utilized. Sails are usually on weekends. •

Call of the Sea (Sausalito) Youth Programs

Contact: Sylvia Stompe
Phone: (415) 331-3214
Email: [email protected]
Location: Bay Model Visitor Center, Sausalito. Access via Marinship Way

Description: We sail on a 132-ft brigantine called the Matthew Turner and an 82-ft schooner, Seaward. Activities include: sailing, marine life exploration, nautical science, history, crafts and building projects

Programs
Youth Summer Day Camps: M – F, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sessions June 12–16, June 19–23, July 31–August 4 and August 7–11
Bay Explorations, for school groups: fall and spring (age 8–18)
Aloft program ages 12+: Starting in April, 1–2 times per month
Overnight Voyages for Youth age 12+, dates TBD •

Coyote Point YC (San Mateo)

Email: [email protected] 

Description: Coyote Point Yacht Club offers a year-round sailing program to children ages 8 and up wishing to learn how to sail or improve their skills.

Programs
Learn to Sail Qube, kids will learn the fundamentals of sailing in an easy-to-handle single-person boat called a Qube.
Intro to Race Qube, kids will review the basics of sailing and be introduced to the competitive side of the sport.
In Learn to Sail FJ, kids will learn the fundamentals of sailing in a team setting.
In Intro to Race FJ, kids will review the basics of sailing and be introduced to the competitive side of the sport.
Up-to-date calendar schedules and pricing can be found at cpyc.com. •

Encinal YC (Alameda)

Phone: (510) 769-0221
Email[email protected]
Location: Encinal Yacht Club, Alameda, CA
Programs
Summer Sailing Program: ages 5–18, all skill levels. Three-week summer sessions Monday – Thursday from June 12– August 10.
Learn to Sail in Optis and FJs.
Advanced Race Team: ages 9-18 by application only. All year, application/tryout period during spring.
High School Program: grades 8-12. Weekends and after school September–April. CFJs provided.
Scholarships are available through the Encinal Sailing Foundation. •

Half Moon Bay Yacht Club (Pillar Point Harbor)

Phone: (650) 728-2120
Email: [email protected] 
Location: Half Moon Bay Yacht Club (hmbyc.org)

Description: Located on the protected waters of Pillar Point Harbor using club boats
Non-members and members are welcome. No experience is necessary; beginners are welcome! Campers do need to be able to swim and be comfortable in the water while wearing a life jacket and wetsuit.

Programs
Dates TBA. Check our website and calendar for the scheduled classes

-Award-Winning Summer Youth Camps: Ages 8–162 on club boats: Optis, Lasers and FJs. Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. •

 

Monterey Peninsula YC  

Email: [email protected]

Programs

Regular training at all levels, all year long.
Varsity Sailing Team: grades 8–12. When: Practices twice weekly, September–June.
Junior Sailing Team: grades 6–7. When: Practices twice monthly, September–June.
Summer Sailing Camp: ages 8–17. When: Weekly sessions from June through the end of July. See website for more info. •

Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development

Contact: Gabriel Gipson
Phone:
(510) 238-2196
Email: [email protected] 
Location: Lake Merritt Boating Center, Oakland, CA

Programs
Basic and Intermediate summer programs: ages 10–17. One-week sessions, June–August. $250/Oakland residents; $300/nonresidents. Scholarships available for Oakland residents.

Pegasus Project (Berkeley)

Phone: (510) 717-4439

Description: The mission of the Pegasus Project is to enable youth to become productive members of a sustainable society through positive outdoor environmental education and by reinforcing life skills.

Objectives: Life skills sails aboard Pegasus for youth including youth at risk; to provide youth participants (and adult crew) with a basic environmental understanding and appreciation of the San Francisco Bay; to provide a multi-year track for underprivileged youth that will enable them to experience their backyard Bay through on-the-water activities. •

Peninsula Youth Sailing

Contact: Molly O’Bryan Vandemoer, Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
Location: 1200 Chesapeake Dr, Redwood City, CA and 101 Westpoint Harbor Drive,
Redwood City, CA

Programs: Check in for more information! •

Richmond YC

Contact: Sam Normington
Phone: (510) 237-4100
Email: [email protected]
Location: Richmond Yacht Club, Richmond, Ca.

Description: Located in Point Richmond, RYC offers classes to sailors and non-sailors alike. Boats available for use: Optis, Teras, Fevas, 420s, ILCA (Lasers), 29ers, and J/22s. Ages 8+

More info online: https://www.richmondyc.org/sailing

Programs:

Winter: Active for 70+ years, the volunteer-run sailing program operates most Sundays from October–March. Ages 8-18. Registration opens August 1.
Spring/Fall: Weekend and after-school courses from February–May and September–October. High school teams and adult classes available. Check the website for course list and active registration.
Summer: Weekdays from June–August. (9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.). Two-week sessions. Ages 8–18. Registration opens January 15. •

Sailing Education Adventures (San Rafael)

Contact: Megan Hartnett
Phone: (415) 775-8779
Email: [email protected] 
Location:
Loch Lomond Marina, San Rafael

Description: Inquire for more details. Scholarships available! •

San Francisco YC (Belvedere)

Contact: Youth Office
Phone: (415) 435-9525
Email: [email protected]

Location: 98 Beach Road, Belvedere, CA

Description: Pricing listed on website, subject to change. Scholarships available through the Belvedere Cove Foundation.

Programs
Summer Learn-to-Sail Program: ages 6–16. Two-week full-day sessions, June 12 through August 4
Session 1 (June 12–23), Session 2 (June 26–July 7), Session 3 (July 10–21), Session 4 (July 24–August 4) Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Boats: Optis, Opti Cubes, CFJs, J/24s (provided). Registration opens to the public on January 31, 2023
Race Teams: ages 8–18, all levels. Offered year-round
Boats: Optis, Lasers, C420s, RS-21s •

S.F. Sea Scouts (Aquatic Park)

Contact: Tamara Sokolov
Phone: (415) 517-3943
Email: [email protected]

Programs

Sea Scouts is a club for ages 14–21. The club meets Saturdays and Tuesday evenings in person. Sea Scouts also have weekend overnight trips, competitions with other scout groups, and a 2-week- long Summer Cruise. Cost is $200 annually.

Makani is our junior boating club for ages 11–13. We meet every other Saturday to learn the basics of sailing, rowing, kayaking, and more. Sea Scouts also go on day trips throughout the year to explore the many nautical sites around the Bay. A great intro for those who can’t wait to join Sea Scouts. Cost is $100 Annually

Summer day camps available. Please see website for more detailed information.•

St. Francis YC (San Francisco)

Contact: Brent Harrill
Phone: (415) 820-3729
Email: [email protected] 
Location: StFYC, San Francisco, CA

Programs

St. Francis teaches kids as young as 8 years old, in boats sized just for them. For the older and more accomplished, the club offers trapeze sailing with spinnakers, keelboat sailing, and anything that pops up when opportunity strikes. You do not have to be a St. Francis Yacht Club member for your child to participate in these programs.

New sailors start with the Learn to Sail program and grow into Learn to Race. Sailors ages 8 – 11 sail the club’s very manageable RS Teras. At about age 12, students grow into the RS Feva and C420, a two-person dinghy that more ambitious teenagers race in national championships. The J/22 programs are popular for teens who want to sail with friends, friends and more friends and get a grip on handling keelboats. All of these are excellent training vessels, provided and maintained by the Club. •

Santa Cruz Yacht Club

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (831) 425-0690

Programs
Summer Sailing Program: ages 8–18, Beg-Int., Week-long sessions June–August
School Year Program: ages 8–18, Beg-Int., Weekly sessions Sept–May
Boats: Optimists, CFJs, Lasers, El Toros, C420s
Scholarships possible through Santa Cruz Sailing Foundation

Sausalito Yacht Club

Contact: Caitie Bryson, Youth Sailing Director
Phone: (415) 332-7400 x 114
Email: [email protected]

Location: 100 Humboldt Ave., Sausalito (next to the ferry terminal)
Programs: Ages 8–18. Summer camp and fall/spring after-school programs for beginner and intermediate sailors. Learn to race and race teams. Tamalpais and Marin Catholic high school sailing teams. •

Sequoia YC (Redwood City)

Email: [email protected] 
Location: Redwood Creek

Description: The Sequoia Yacht Club Youth Sailing Camp is an annual series of events with the aim to instill a love for sailing and the outdoors for those 10 to 15 years old.

Each camp is one week long, Monday through Thursday. Camps are during the summer vacation period. Scholarships available.•

Shoreline Lake Youth Sailing

Contact: William Gardner,
Phone: (650) 965-7474
Email: [email protected]
Location: Shoreline Lake Boathouse, Mountain View, CA

Description: Shoreline Lake offers a variety of dedicated sailing programs, from Beginner to Advanced, for Kids and Teens (ages 8–16). Located in a nature preserve within the heart of Silicon Valley, kids can have a great time learning to sail (according to US Sailing standards), without the risk of the actual Bay. Besides a focus on learning new skills, pushing existing ones, and safety, experienced instructors ensure each program is suited to the interests, skills and age level of every participant.

Programs
Kids summer camps (8–16 years old): https://shorelinelake.com/summer-camps.html
Beginner Sailing
Basic Sailing
Beginner Windsurfing and Sailing
Intermediate Windsurfing and Sailing
Advanced Sailing
Performance Sailing
Group weekend classes (14+ years old, held Feb–Nov): https://shorelinelake.com/sailing.html
Introductory Sailing
Intermediate Sailing
Advanced Sailing •

South Beach Yacht Club

Contact: Wendy Hanrahan
Email: [email protected]
Location: Pier 40, San Francisco (in front of Oracle Park)

Description: One-week programs for youth ages 8 to 16. Cost is $550 per week. Registration is open to SBYC members and non-members. We provide the boats: RS Teras, Lasers, RS Feva XL. We have a limited supply of lifejackets and wetsuits. Partial and full scholarships are available for families who qualify based on household income and size.

Programs
SBYC Summer Sailing Camp: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. M–Th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. F. One-week sessions begin June 5. Last summer session is August 7–11. For more information: southbeachyachtclub.org/youth-sailing. We offer weekend sailing to youths who have participated in summer camp. •

Spaulding Marine Center (Sausalito) Youth Programs

Contact: Pete Brewster and Heather Richard
Phone: (415) 332-3179
Email: [email protected]
Location: Spaulding Marine Center, Sausalito, CA

Description: Spaulding Marine Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Students will learn to sail on a fleet of S.F. Pelican sailing dinghies built and maintained in-house by our staff, volunteers and youth. All other boatbuilding programs and marine-servicing classes can be found on the Spaulding website.

Programs
Youth summer programs run through June – July – August and offer experiences in Sailing, Exploring, Kayaking, Hands-on Woodworking and Boatbuilding, Navigation, Weather, Tides and Currents, and Marine Science. Our programs are a week long and operate out of our facility here on the working waterfront of Sausalito. One-week camps are $850. Discounts for multiple weeks, and full and partial scholarships are available. •

Tahoe Community Sailing Foundation

Contacts:
-Bryce Griffith, Sailing Director, (775) 772-2428
-Denise Springsteel, Recreation Superintendent, (530) 583-3796

Description: This joint venture partnership provides Youth Sailing Programs June–August at Obexers Marina and Lake Forest Boat Ramp. •

Treasure Island Sailing Center

Phone: (415) 421-2225

Programs
Fall programs offer an exciting opportunity for children ages 8 to 17 to either begin their journey on the water, or develop their existing sailing skills in our intermediate and advanced classes.

TISC’s summer camps are a wonderful way for children to learn about sailing, water safety and the environment. Everyone who sails on our little gem in the Bay, Clipper Cove, leaves with a renewed self-confidence and a big smile.

Camps are open to children ages 8–12 and teens ages 13-17, and will be running this year from June 13–Aug 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We’ll also be offering extended care from 8–9 a.m. and from 4–5 p.m. for those that need it. All camps will be based on the beautiful Clipper Cove, which provides safe and unrivaled opportunities for your young sailor to develop their skills, make new friends, and most importantly, have a lot of fun. •

10 Comments

  1. Alice Cochran 3 years ago

    MORE – looking again I see that SEA is listed but it’s mixed in with RICHMOND YACHT CLUB. Scroll Down 16 lines to
    Sailing Education Adventures (not in bold, blue or set apart). The dates are posted on the website and camps are filling up fast.

    • John Arndt 3 years ago

      Alice – thanks for catching our mistake. Now fixed. Happy sailing.

  2. David Cohan 3 years ago

    I don’t see Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation listed. Based in Redwood City, they have kids and youth sailing and racing programs: pysf.us

    • John Arndt 3 years ago

      How could we miss that? Molly runs a fantastic program in the South Bay and we know hundreds of enthusiastic new and skilled sailors emerge from the program every year. We’ll make sure it’s updated.

      Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

  3. Al Groh 3 years ago

    Sausalito Yacht Club has a active youth Sailing program which is not listed ?

    • John Arndt 3 years ago

      Once again we thank you for the ‘heads up’ and we’ll make sure to correct our omission.

  4. Sylvia Stompe 3 years ago

    Hi John,

    Here is another camp!

    Call of the Sea (Sausalito) Youth Programs
    https://callofthesea.org/sail-with-us/youth-day-camp/
    Youth Summer Camps
    Where: Bay Model Visitors Center, Sausalito
    When: June 14th – July 2nd / July 5th – July 23rd / July 26 – August 13th, 2021
    Time: M – F 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    Activities: Sailing, Exploring, Kayaking, Crafts and building projects
    Boat: 82′ schooner Seaward
    Contact: (415) 331-3214, [email protected]

    • John Arndt 3 years ago

      Thank you Sylvia and everyone who’s pointed out what we’ve missed. We’re practically neighbors of Call of the Sea in Sausalito but somehow didn’t have their information. It’s now posted: https://www.latitude38.com/feature/san-francisco-youth-sailing/

      More kids sailing is a good thing. Thanks to Call of the Sea and all the programs, instructors and volunteers who make youth sailing happen.

  5. Emily Zugnoni 3 years ago

    Hiya! Thanks so much for spreading the word about ACSC! Looks like our 2019 schedule/pricing weaseled its way into this page though. Here’s the 2021 info:
    After School Sailing Club: Ages 7-17. All levels. Eight week sessions in Spring & Fall.
    Spring Break Camp: Ages 7-12. April 5-9 and 12-16
    Three Week Summer Camps: Ages 7-17. All levels. June-August. Staggered starts approximately 9 a.m.-4p.m.. Extended Care available. Full and partial scholarships available.
    Adult/Family Weekend Dinghy Courses: Ages 7-99. Beginner and Intermediate. Spring, summer, fall. $280 for first in your group; $130 for subsequent guests.
    Open Sailing Days: Every Saturday. Spring, summer, and fall. $30/boat

  6. Scott Risser 1 year ago

    I have a MacGregor 26C (center board with water ballast) with trailer, engine, new main, etc. I am interested in donating to any youth sailing programs that might be interested. As with most boats, it can use some work but she will do fine as is. Please reply if your organization might be interested. The original owner used her on the bay for nearly 30 years. She has never been named officially.

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