Opening Bay

There’s often a lot of bluster about growing sailing, so it’s a welcome sight to see a new community program join the Bay Area’s collection of dedicated sailing programs. Kame Richards and an able and qualified crew of volunteers have patiently brought to life an impressive community program adjacent to Alameda Point (the old naval air station). At the end of a narrow access road between Encinal High School and Alameda Point lies a launch ramp, parking and a scrap of land that’s been transformed, by the arrival of the Alameda Community Sailing Center, into a very active sailing venue. 

Beyond bluster, Sunday’s blustery afternoon was also the time for a well-orchestrated open house at ACSC offering visitors and prospective sailing camp participants a chance to try out sailing, enjoy a buffet lunch, and check out the venue.

The center went from an idea to an ‘overnight success’ in just five years. The upcoming season is the sixth of putting new sailors on the water. This summer’s camp is currently sold out and looking for instructors.

Is it part of a sailing renaissance? Hard to know, but many Bay Area sailing schools and community programs are finding more and more people interested in sailing. There’s often a lack of instructors with the instructor training certifications necessary, which includes being certified to drive instructor powerboats, so the current shortage isn’t boats or students but personnel. We spent three college summers teaching sailing, so we know it’s a great way to spend a summer.

Alameda Community Sailing Center is one more of many great Bay Area community programs making sailing accessible to more people.