Strictly Sail Pacific Welcomes Youth

With its status as the largest all-sail boat show on the West Coast, the annual Strictly Sail Pacific boat show (April 10-13 at Oakland’s Jack London Square) is a must-see for most Northern California sailors. To our way of thinking one of the coolest things about it is that it helps inspire non-sailors to give sailing a try, while encouraging neophytes to increase their knowledge and up their skill level.

In addition to everything else that will be going on, tomorrow — the show’s opening day — and Friday have been designated as special Youth Activity Days, where local school children will be introduced to our sport via the Discover Sailing program. "The young people learn how to put sails up, how to tack, jibe, leave and approach a dock, and steer a sailboat," the organizers explain. "They will also have the opportunity to tour sailboats on site. A few lucky kids will also get to go for a sail on San Francisco Bay." Show staff will be assisted by members of the Afterguard Sailing Academy.

Other youth activities at Strictly Sail Pacific include free dockside classes on the schooner Seaward Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. The Seaward will also take up to 40 kids for a complimentary sail on both Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to sign up early.

For an overview of all that the show has to offer, see the Show Planner, stitched inside the current edition of Latitude 38, and check out the comprehensive website here. To save time, show tickets can be purchased online. See you there!