If you haven’t been paying attention, you might have missed the fact that youth sailing is making a resurgence. Just this past weekend, about 170 high school sailors from around the Northwest gathered at Sail Sand Point on Lake Washington for the Combined Division Regatta. Sailing in pairs, often co-ed, teams (with school logos on their pinnies) had fun both on and off the water. The source of this resurgence is an increasing coordination of yacht clubs, community sailing centers and the marine industry. Hooray! This coming Saturday 19 groups are getting together to promote youth sailing at Seattle’s Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center. It’s a chance for kids and their parents to learn about all the sailing possibilities, and there are many, from the ever popular learn to sail to the more intense racing programs. The event is free and should be a lot of fun. Here are the details from our friends at 48 North:
Youth Sailing Open House with 19 Organizations — March 28, 2015
Learn about all the ways to get your kids out on the water this summer!
Seattle, March 4, 2015—Rat from the Wind in the Willows was right. “There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Fortunately for Puget Sound area residents, we live in a boating paradise with an abundance of programs and opportunities for kids to learn how to mess about in sailboats. From local after-school programs to day camps to multi-week voyages to Desolation Sound, on boats as small as eight feet and as large as 133 feet, the options are endless. Windsurfing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and rowing are also offered by some groups.
To help parents and kids learn about the variety of options available, a group of 19 of Puget Sound’s leading sailing organizations have teamed up and are holding a Youth Sailing Open House. Parents and kids will be able to talk with camp and club organizers and instructors and choose the best programs that suit their family, budget and calendars. Programs are available for children as young as four years old all the way through high school.
The half-day event is free and will also include fun land activities (knot tying, sailboat origami, face painting, burgee decorating and a spin-to win board) and on-water activities (sailing demos and free sailboat rides) and a free BBQ lunch.
Sailing is a sport that kids can enjoy at a very young age and for the rest of their lives. It builds self-reliance. It teaches teamwork and leadership. It’s social. And it’s just plain fun and makes for the BEST summer activity out there!
What:
Youth Sailing Open House, Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center
http://www.nwyouthsailing.org/youth-sailing-open-house.html
https://www.facebook.com/YouthSailingOpenHouse
Who:
Participating programs include:
Beach Camp at Sunset Bay: http://www.sunsetbaywharf.com/Pages/beachcamp.aspx
Center for Wooden Boats: http://cwb.org
Corinthian Yacht Club: http://www.cycseattle.org
Green Lake Small Craft Center: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/boats/grnlake.htm
Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club:http://www.mbycwa.org
Mt Baker Rowing and Sailing: http://mbrsc.com
Northwest Outward Bound School:http://www.nwobs.org/
Port Madison Yacht Club: http://www.portmadisonyc.org
Queen City Yacht Club: http://www.queencity.org
Renton Sailing Club:http://www.rentonsailing.org
Sail Sand Point: www.sailsandpoint.org
Schooner Zodiac:http://www.schoonerzodiac.com/
Sea Scouts – Puget Sound: http://www.seattlebsa.org/Main-Website-Content/Sea-Scouts
Sound Experience/Adventuress: http://www.soundexp.org
South Whidbey Yacht Club: http://swyachtclub.org/
The Sailing Foundation:http://www.thesailingfoundation.org/
SSS Yankee Clipper : http://yankeeclipperseascouts.wordpress.com/
Tacoma Yacht Club:http://www.tacomayachtclub.org/
YMCA Camp Orkila: http://www.seattleymca.org/Locations/Orkila/Pages/Home.aspx
When: Saturday, March 28, 2015.Rain or shine.
Hours: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Where: Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center, 3800 Lake Washington Boulevard, Seattle 98118
Located on Lake Washington Boulevard at Stan Sayres Park, mid-way between Seward Park and the I-90 floating bridge.
