UCB’s RecWell Makes Sailing Easy and Fun in Berkeley
Learning to sail on San Francisco Bay can be a challenging exercise to access the right boat, to acquire the proper gear, and to find the best instruction for your skill set and interest. UC Berkeley Recreation and Wellbeing Adventures, or RecWell (part of the UC Berkeley athletic department), meets these challenges with a friendly enthusiasm at their outdoor adventure center adjoining the Berkeley Marina at 124 A University Ave. on alternating weekends. These facilities are open to both the UC Berkeley student body — at a deeply discounted cost — and the Berkeley community at large, with the simple mission of providing meaningful recreation on the water to enhance daily life of study or work.
The adventure center offers instruction and watercraft for the sports of sailing, kayaking and windsurfing, with the sailing program offering instruction using the RS Venture 17-ft centerboard sloop. Introduction to the sailing program can be made by taking a two-hour class that spends the first hour going over boat terminology and rigging with the boat in the adventure center yard, and the second hour spent on the water with an instructor at the helm, using three students as crew. This class is offered to the public for $60, and is free for students at UCB.
The next step in course progression is to take a four-day, two-weekend course, which allows students to qualify for access to the sailing fleet at the discretion of the instructor at a cost of $300 for the public and $200 for UCB students. The sailing area south of the Berkeley peninsula offers both protected waters on windy days, and full exposure to winds from the west through the Golden Gate, providing exciting opportunities for learning to manage both high winds and strong currents in controlled circumstances. All boats are required to stay within sight of onshore observers to facilitate rescue by outboard-powered inflatable craft.
The adventure center provides wetsuits and life jackets in all sizes to ensure every student is comfortable onboard, and safe in the event of immersion in the Bay. This gear is included in the cost of instruction or rental fee. Safety procedures are well taught, including capsizing recovery techniques with instructors joining students in the water! Dockmasters provide logistical support for instructors and staff, managing registration, gear fitting, rescue assistance and observation duties, and is a great volunteer opportunity for anyone interested in getting exposure to on-water activities.
The ”vibe” of the adventure center is “magical,” in the words of Bruce Katz, windsurfing director, who has been with the adventure center for over 30 years. The leadership and organizational skills provided by program director Morgan Collins during the last five years has created a staff that is both knowledgeable and full of infectious enthusiasm that makes everyone eager to get out on the water.
The future of the adventure center depends on increased participation from both the public and student body, as University budget constraints put pressure on recreational and wellbeing funding.
A visit to the adventure center on an upcoming weekend is a great way to sample what the Berkeley waterfront has to offer as a recreational choice, while supporting this great program.
Here are details on how and when you can participate: UC Berkeley Recreation and Wellbeing Adventures/Sailing.