Summer Is for Sailing With Shoreline Lake, Alameda Community Sailing Center, and Others
The days are hotting up! Though that’s not apparent given the current weather conditions. But we’re also speaking figuratively. A bunch of summer-sailing program emails have sailed into our office recently. We want to share them with you because they cover opportunities for a broad range of sailors and “wannabe” sailors from juniors to adults — starting this weekend!
First up, we learned about Shoreline Lake’s Sail-A-Dinghy-Day, co-hosted with the Fremont Sailing Club (FSC), kicking off the summer sailing season and the Sunday Sailing Racing program. The date is April 21 (that’s this coming Sunday). From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the whole family can get on the water and experience sailing. Visitors will get access to free, skippered sailboat rides helmed by Shoreline Lake’s experienced instructors.
There’ll also be land-based activities and demonstrations showcasing the range of sailing programs for kids, teens and adults aboard boats such as the Lido 14, El Toro, Sunfish, Laser, Holder and others.
Christina Ferrari, president of Silicon Shores Corporation, which operates the Shoreline Lake facilities, says Sail-A-Dinghy-Day is designed to ease new sailors into the sport with a hands-on experience on small boats. “Their small size makes dinghies approachable and enjoyable for everyone, especially in this protected environment, which is a safer experience than sailing in the San Francisco Bay,” Ferrari says.
Get more details here: Shoreline Lake Sailing
Alameda Community Sailing Center is another Bay Area organization creating opportunities for new and experienced sailors. Along with summer sailing camps and Learn to Sail classes, the organization is hosting Open Sail Saturdays, which run from April to November, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Open Sail Saturdays are described as “an opportunity to practice and improve your skills in a safe and supportive environment.” Sailors are expected to sail independently, but there is a safety boat and instructor on water to assist. You must have completed a course with ACSC within the last two years or pass a checkout to participate. The boat checkout consists of a written knowledge test and an on-water skills check. Open Sail is weather-permitting — boats sail in less than 15 mph winds.
More information here: Open Sail Saturdays
While we’re talking about sailing, Call of the Sea is also getting ready for summer. This Saturday they’re hosting their fourth annual Tall Ship Celebration. The event is at the Bay Model Visitor Center — 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 — and will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This year’s event also marks Call of the Sea’s 40th anniversary of on-the-water education. The free event will feature a range of activities and hands-on opportunities for all ages.
- 11 a.m. –1 p.m. — Tour the ships (Matthew Turner and Seaward), learn to tie knots and make rope with Call of the Sea
- 11 a.m.–2 p.m. — Sailing Science Center and Spaulding Marine Center exhibits
- 11 a.m.–2 p.m. — Paella, ice cream and bevs for sale. Sea Shanties & Old Time Tunes
- 2 p.m.–5 p.m. — Join a sail on Matthew Turner, (advance ticket purchase required for sailing)
More information here: Tall Ship Celebration
Throughout the coming summer, Call of the Sea will run regular and special-event sails and youth summer camps.
Want to make a friend smile? Give them a gift subscription to Latitude 38 or pick up a copy at Shoreline Aquatic Center in Mountain View.
