Vote on Alameda Marina on Tuesday
Attention Alameda residents, and anyone concerned about marine services, access, and the Bay Area’s working waterfront. On Tuesday, May 29, the Alameda Planning Board will meet to discuss the new Master Plan for Alameda Marina. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m., and will be held at Alameda City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Alameda, CA 94501.
In Cityspeak: the Planning Board will be holding a public hearing "to consider a recommendation to approve the Master Plan, Density Bonus Application, and Environmental Impact Report for the Alameda Marina property." In sailor speak: What do you want Alameda’s waterfront and, more importantly, water access to look like?
For Tuesday’s agenda, go here. For information from Alameda Marina, go here. And for a dissenting view, go here. And if you’d like to send us a letter with your thoughts, please write us here. We will share a few letters about life in Alameda from the June issue in the coming weeks and further the discussion.
A Cautionary Tale in Berkeley
"I could not make out the transom name, but could see how well the mud held the small sailboat which anchored out overnight east of Hs Lordships restaurant, just south of Berkeley Marina," wrote Nancy Schimmelman, who snapped this photo of what looks like a Cal or Columbia 20-25 high and dry (or low and muddy).
"Higher tides later on May 17 freed the vessel, which apparently grounded softly enough to escape unharmed." We’ve been sailing in Berkeley for 13 years, and have rarely seen the tide quite so low. It’s just more insubstantial and anecdotal evidence to support the narrative that the sea level is most certainly not rising. (Just kidding.)
Women’s Sailing Seminars
The Bay Area is has endless opportunities for anyone wanting to learn how to sail. For women in the Bay Area, there are a few events with a long tradition of introducing beginners to the sport.
The Corinthian Yacht Club has opened registration for its 33rd Women’s Sailing Seminar, which will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon. Registration is open to all interested women at the CYC website, here.
"It’s a great way for women who would like to learn to sail both in a classroom and then on the Bay with skilled sailors sharing their expertise and love of sailing," said Sharon Meyer, a leader of the seminar and long-time Corinthian Yacht Club member.
During the seminar, students learn the basics of sailing including terminology, boating etiquette, and fundamental skills such as tying knots, boarding and docking, and general safe-boating practices. The two morning classroom sessions are reinforced by two afternoons of sailing with instruction on San Francisco Bay. Instructors take the students out in small groups and teach them to read the wind, tack and jibe, crew, and take the helm.
As summer sailing begins, June is an ideal time for anyone to brush up on skills and perfect for women who want to get started sailing the Bay. In the fall, Island Yacht Club will host their annual Women’s Sailing Seminar on September 22-23.
A Great Weekend to Watch Sailing
It’s been a gray, cool week but things are looking to get brighter, warmer and more colorful for a much better Memorial Day sailing weekend.
First on the color charts are the International 14 Nationals held at the St. Francis Yacht Club on the Cityfront. If you want to check out high-speed, double trapeze, high-tech (but old-school) dinghy sailing, this is a class to watch. International 14s date back to the 1900s but, because it’s a development class, the boats are more advanced than almost any dinghy on the water. They’re racing the 26th-29th and, if you’re out sailing this weekend, it’s worth a detour to watch the show. Just give them plenty of room because they’re fighting for a national title! They’ll be back in the fall to race at Richmond Yacht Club for the I-14 Worlds.
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Another weekend event full of colorful characters is the annual Master Mariners Regatta, held on Saturday. Racing starts at noon off the St. Francis Yacht Club with the final class start at about 1 p.m. Boats will race Bay courses before finishing down at the Encinal Yacht Club.
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The weekend is forecast to start a little cooler, with sunscreen requirements increasing as we progress toward the holiday. If you sail Saturday, you’ll have some great contrast in spectating when you watch the most high-tech dinghies and most low-tech classics face off in hard-fought rivalries, all from the cockpit of your cruiser! We look forward to seeing you on the Bay.