So You’ve Had a Sailing Lesson, Now What?

A team of volunteers at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, led by Sharon Meyer, Vida Cheng and Petra Jacobson, put their heart and soul into producing another successful annual Women’s Sailing Seminar. We joined about a dozen other boat owners who volunteered boats and time to teach almost 40 women new skills while taking them for their very first sail. It was a perfect intro weekend with gentle breezes and warm temperatures.

So now what?

Many people get a fantastic introduction to sailing, but then, once inspired, have to figure out a way to continue. Sailing might seem easy to us, but not everyone has the simple access on demand that we’d like to believe. After the seminar, we put together a quick list of ideas, including the Latitude 38 Crew List, to send out to the participants.

We’re sharing it with you to see what you might have to add. CYC is inviting participants back for one of the club’s regular member sails; some will try to join CYC’s Friday night beer can racing, but we’d love to share all the ideas we can.

Here’s the quick list we put together:

• Continue with lessons or charter at one of the Bay Area’s many excellent sailing schools and charter companies. (Please see elsewhere in this ‘Lectronic Latitude for a warning about illegal charter boats.)
• Sign up for the Latitude 38 Crew List.
• Attend a Latitude 38 Crew Party: The next one is on Wednesday, September 11, at the Bay Model in Sausalito.
• Join a sailing MeetUp group: www.meetup.com/sfbay-sailing or www.meetup.com/San-Francisco-Bay-Sailing.
• Keep an eye on the Latitude 38 Calendar and pick up and read Latitude 38 every month.
• Join SFSocialSailing.
• Learn more about Bay Area sailing history and culture by attending the Master Mariners Wooden Boat Show at Corinthian YC in Tiburon on Sunday, June 23.
• Go for a free sail on the schooner Seaward on Summer Sailstice.
• Join Cal Sailing Club — three months of sailing for $99.
• Rides are sometimes available at beer can races all around Northern California — all you have to do is show up!
• Volunteer at a community sailing center like Sailing Education Adventures in San Rafael, sail at Shoreline Lake in Mountain View, or volunteer at other youth programs listed here.

Since this was a women’s sailing seminar, we’re also including a link to the trailer for the movie Maiden coming out June 28. Judging from the trailer, we think everyone will like it.

Next year’s Women’s Sailing Seminar at CYC is scheduled for June 6-7. Island Yacht Club in Alameda will also host a Women’s Sailing Seminar September 21-22.

Numerous other clubs and individuals take people out all the time for their first sail. Many experienced sailors will recall their first experience and say, “I was hooked.” So what would you suggest to people who’ve had a start and want to find a way to continue? Comment below, or let us know here.