Summer Youth Sailing officially ended last month, with more than 300 kids sailing in our programs and more fun had than anyone could measure.

We also fulfilled our mission by providing twelve full scholarships to underserved families and honored  partial scholarships to more than 12 families who needed a bit of help. Two of our campership went to siblings Kylie and Brooke, both from San Rafael . Here is a great summary of their sail camp experience:

My passion for sailing started when my very enthusiastic sailing friend would tell me wild stories about his experiences on the water. Sailing sounded like a very exciting sport, so I knew I had to give it a try. When I heard about a sail camp at the Marin Yacht club, I eagerly signed up.  I was just 10 years old. Now, five years later I am still sailing, and I have become a very passionate sailor.

What I enjoy the most about sailing is the wind. When it's light,  sailing becomes very relaxing. Though when there’s heavy wind, it becomes one of the most exhilarating sports out there. The conditions on the water can change at the drop of a hat so you must always be prepared to adjust. However, no matter what the conditions are, sailing is a great way to clear your mind.

I love to sail under the Richmond Bridge where the wind is often howling. And I love sailing to and exploring places such as the Marin Islands, Red Rock, and China Camp.

Coastal Cleanup, it's 27th year, is scheduled for September 17 at Horseshoe Cove, and SEA is making final preparations to participate, as we did last year.

Date: September 17, Saturday
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Location: Horseshoe Cove at Fort Baker
Category: Members

California Coastal Commission has scheduled many great events in both the Marin and San Francisco Counties.

As active users of the wonderful Bay and beyond, it's in our interest to help insure we all do our job to keep our environment clean and healthy. You can help!

*CELEBRATE COASTWEEKS!*

Each fall, people across the country participate in COASTWEEKS, a celebration of our coastal and water resources. In 2011 the California celebration takes place from September 17 to October 9, kicked off by the 27^th Anniversary of California Coastal Cleanup Day! The California Coastal Commission has compiled a calendar of over 200 coastal and water-related events taking place in 31 counties.  Please visit the calendar at www.coastforyou.org and find just the right activity for you, your friends, and your family to celebrate our coast and inland waterways! 

Date: 8/27 - 8/31
Days: Monday - Friday
Hours: 9:00 - 12:00
Ages: 9-14
Price: $310

SEA is proud to announce the SEA Explorers program in partnership with Romberg Tiburon Center.  This Citizen Science Sailing Program connects youths with their marine environment by engaging them with hands on skills and marine observations.

A program teaching youths ages 9-14 how to sail on the Bay, while introducing them to marine sciences with an emphasis on plankton's vital role in our oceans. Four days of full immersion sailing and a full day of samples collection and microscope observations with an on the water field trip to Angel Island and other data collection points in the bay.

The curriculum includes lessons and hands-on activities focused on:

• Zoo- and phyto-plankton
• Sea water density
• Solar stills
• Currents, Charting

Each day culminates in journaling local conditions and samples observations.

Fish Restaurant has been a generous supporter of Camp Clipper and our environmental outreach efforts. And, did you know that corkage fees go to the SEA Camp Clipper fund?

Anytime you're at Fish Restaurant, please tell them how much you appreciate their support of SEA's sailing program for the underserved youth community. You've got another reason now to feel good about the wine you drink at Fish!

I've always been drawn to the water, so when my friend and I decided that we were going to do a camp together in third grade, sailing seemed like the perfect choice!  Since then, we've changed boats, instructors, and even yacht clubs, but we have sailed together every summer for the past 10 years.  It began as a way for us to hang out during the days, but now we both just love sailing!

I think my favorite part about sailing is the freedom that comes with it.  I realize that's cliché, but it's also very true.  When you drive a car, you have to stay in one lane on one side of the road and follow that line for as far as you want to go; when you drive a motor boat you have a bit more freedom to go places, but you are still very dependent on your gas.  A good sailor, on the other hand, can go anywhere he wants.

I've been sailing for 10 years now, every summer and often during the school year as well. I think the Marin yacht club and surrounding areas are probably my favorite place to sail consistently- the wind is great for beginners, and once in a while we get lucky with some higher wind that the advanced sailors (and counselors) can really enjoy.  The water here is amazing, hands-down the nicest temperature in the bay, and it's sunny almost every day! I came to SEA because one of my close friends was sailing with the camp in San Rafael, and he recommended it so highly.  I remember going to visit him at camp on day and absolutely loving it.  That summer, I switched sail camps and I've been an SEA boy ever since.

I started sailing when I was a baby onboard my parents Cape Dory 25 in Tomales Bay. My father has sailed since he was eight and sailing has been a family tradition.

The thing that I enjoy the most about sailing is that it can really be done anywhere around the world, providing that you have wind and water. It’s also a lot of fun in high winds.

I have had a lot of fun sailing the entire San Francisco Bay on my parents’ Catalina 30, as well as the coastal waters off Wales, and the Aegean Sea near Turkey and Greece.

I was first brought to SEA by a friend of mine who also sails and told me that the program was a lot of fun. We both ended up becoming counselors at the Youth Camp.

My favorite sailing experience would be the second sailing holiday in Turkey and Greece, stopping by whichever anchorage looked nice at the time. It allowed me to see a different part of the world and experience new cultures.

I love music and I have been playing the piano and singing for the last 11 years. I have also just recently started playing the guitar. I love most sports and I am on my university’s rugby team.

I would love to spend a long time sailing the Pacific, finding remote and unspoiled places.

Camp Clipper raised sails at the SEA docks for 2 weeks of sailing fun this July. The instructors and crew dined like royal sea captains at FISH Restaurant, also the event co-sponsor. Twenty children of the Performing Stars of Marin, a youth advocacy group promoting enrichment programs for the underserved communities, learned about sailing, seamanship and marine habitats. SEA gives a huge thank you to FISH Restaurant, America True and Performing Stars of Marin for continuing to support this incredible program - one that has created life long memories for twenty great kids in 2011.

And, what did they have to say about it?

"It was scary, until I learned what to do. Then it was fun!"

"We saw a stingray and seals!"

"The instructors were awesome!"

Alex Carter was first introduced to sailing on Picos in Bordeaux, France. He said he had a wonderful time; however the instruction and the atmosphere were a little unsettling. When he arrived at SEA's Youth Camp, he was just out of our harbor and his sailing partner freaked out when the boat started to heel. His partner dropped the main sheet and started screaming to be let off, and Alex had to single hand the Pico back to the safety boat. According to him, while scary, that was also extremely exhilarating, and made him wanted to do it more and more. Just the feel and the knowledge that he could maneuver a boat completely by himself was astonishing and made him want to sail again and again.

For Alex, the most enjoyable part of sailing is, without a doubt, when you are in high winds and hiking out all the way, hearing the water rush under the boat is awesome. He first got on a Pico in 2009. So this makes his third year of sailing. Just like the others, his favourite place to sail is around the Marin Islands and out towards the Richmond bridge.