Meet ‘Rocking the Boat’ in San Francisco
In the spree of new parks opening on San Francisco’s bayside waterfront, a new member of the youth boating community has emerged in the recently opened India Basin Waterfront Park. Rocking the Boat uses traditional wooden boatbuilding, rowing, environmental education and sailing to build skills in their youth after-school and summer programs. The program also offers boatbuilding and rowing opportunities to the general public.
The organization was born in the Bronx in 1997, stemming from a college project by founder Adam Green. Rocking the Boat’s motto is that Kids build Boats, and Boats build Kids. Participation is free, and returning students who can demonstrate foundational skills even receive a stipend to participate. Wraparound supports like on-site social workers, transportation assistance, and opportunities for families help participants stay engaged. Trips to local rowing and sailing organizations and boatbuilding schools provide well-rounded and dynamic experiences outside of the India Basin shop.
India Basin was a historical center of shipbuilding in the Bay Area, and Rocking the Boat is excited to help reconnect the Bayview–Hunters Point community to this important maritime heritage. Nearby military and industrial uses contaminated the area for generations and contributed to the community’s lack of access to the water and distrust of local institutions. San Francisco’s Department of Recreation and Parks, with other community organizations, guided the development of the new park with an Equitable Development Plan to ensure the park and its programming are culturally relevant and directly beneficial to the residents and the community. Among the desired opportunities were a youth job-skills program and establishing community access to the water.
The India Basin program is staffed by local Bay Area employees and supported by the East Coast headquarters. Students will receive instruction from graduates of the Bay Area’s various boatbuilding programs, including the Arques School in Sausalito, S.F.’s Downtown High School’s program, and the Sea Scouts based in Aquatic Park, plus other skilled volunteers and craftspeople from the community.
The chief programs officer for this new West Coast location of Rocking the Boat is Chris Childers, whom we’ve hosted on our Good Jibes podcast. Chris has been teaching youth sailing in the Bay Area for over a decade and has been a tireless advocate for youth development and environmental education.
The first semester of Rocking the Boat’s after-school program begins March 3. A year-round commitment is requested, and participants should have some connection to the Bayview-Hunters Point community. Interested students can learn more at rockingtheboat.org and complete an application to be considered for the program.
Open houses are available 2/19 (that’s today!) and 2/26 from 3:30–6:30pm.
Email [email protected] for more information.