Cal Sailing Club Wins Appeal to Remain at J-Dock
When Berkeley’s Cal Sailing Club (CSC) received notice last May that they were to be relocated from J-Dock at Berkeley Marina, where they have been based for over 50 years, to make room for 40-ft boats, the club was concerned that the move would “kill” their program — docking maneuvers would be more hazardous and could lead to the club’s sailing program being shut down. Members and the community took action and rallied together to try to keep the club’s operations at its existing base. Last week their efforts were rewarded.
“I am very happy to share the good news that we’ve been successful in our campaign, and the Berkeley City Council voted to protect Cal Sailing Club in its historic location on J-Dock at the Berkeley Marina and dedicate those berths to sailing instruction (as long as we continue to do the Community work we do),” wrote CSC’s co-commodore Nicholas (Nicho) Waton. He then told us about the scores of letters (over 100) that members and the supporters sent to the council on the club’s behalf.
“We were also able to take many of them out for a sail, and some of them are very tempted to start taking lessons,” Nicho added.
Councilmember Terry Taplin is a member at Cal Sailing Club. When the club received the notice of relocation, he took measures to help save the organization, proposing a resolution that would see the six J-dock slips in question dedicated to teaching safe boating, community and education.
“He had a very poignant personal story,” Nicho continued. “He grew up near the waterfront but had never been on the water and had a fear of it. He was able to overcome his fear and is now really enjoying the process to learn how to sail. He’s been volunteering during our Open Houses (he joined the last three this year and will be there Sunday).”
When the resolution was to be voted on by the council, many of the volunteer-run club members attended the meeting in person and online, as they had done on many previous occasions.
“It was also really nice to raise awareness about community sailing, and the fact that anyone can get on the water through this community and learn to sail,” Nicho concluded.
Each year Cal Sailing Club provides more than 2,500 free sailboat rides to new and aspiring sailors. In 2023 alone, they provided 2,942 sailing lessons. Its membership currently stands at over 1,000. The club’s programs are open to everyone through low-cost and no-cost access to membership, and ongoing free community events like monthly open houses, and youth rides.
You can view the final resolution here.
Learn more about Cal Sailing Club and how you can join the program, here.
Great news!!
I worked with the Cal SailingClub on this project. It felt good to be able to give them insights into how they needed to frame their concerns and put them in contact with several Councilmembers. Congratulations on getting the decision you wanted so much.
Bravo to the council for saving CSC. Learning to sail there in the early 90s changed, and probably saved, my life. Haven’t been back in a long time, but I think maybe I’ll wander up there from Santa Cruz and join again, just to help fill the coffers.
Be great to have you back!
So glad you were successful! A sailor since 2000 at OCSC I am a big fan!
I was a member in the early 60s when the club was called the University of California Yacht Club (UCYC) and they were based at the end of the original break water/harbor entrance along side the old Berkeley Yacht Club building. Many wonderful memories of learning to sail and eventually teaching others to sail.
Outstanding news! Cheers
I am happy to hear this. I come from a landlocked country, and CSC was a great place to learn sailing and windsurfing for me. Very friendly community and affordable.
congratulations. You are a needed group. The smaller boats are the initiation of many people to saailing and offers many benefits to our people who might never be able to afford it.