Connecting the Donor Dots

Posted on October 24, 2013 by skippersgift

Thanks to supportive donors and generous grants our J/24 fleet has grown to seven. Because of volunteers like Michael, Nigel and Sam, Delos and Barney headed for Pt. Richmond in yesterday’s fog. They’ll look new after Bay Marine Boatworks finishes.

As we drove over the new Bay Bridge back to TISC after delivering two J/24’s and a trailer to Bay Marine I was struck by the number of people and organizations who made this first step in our fleet renovation possible. As always the beneficiaries of their generosity are kids in our summer youth classes, year-around outreach program, and just-started SS Learn program.

Delos arrived on New Year’s Eve 2009. I remember the ultra high tide as we motored from Marina Green to TI, arriving to a Bay Bridge still very much under construction. The motor donated by Adam Slote and the trailer from RIch Jepson at OCSC are still key ingredients to our fleet. While the bottom growth on Delos was not as populated with marine growth as we found on Barney, it did take some serious scraping to remove it.

When I asked Michael Weinman to help with our transit to Richmond, I made sure he knew this was a fun “messing about in boats” job, not the grungy job he signed up for when Barney arrived. You may recall that clean up job from a previous blog.

Nigel Tunecliff showed up early Wednesday to help get boats launched and masts out.. We decided to use the 1-ton crane rather than ginn-poles, and with the tide rather low all proceeded smoothly after coaxing a few turnbuckles clockwise. Michael arrived right on time just as we removed the second mast..

With Delos and Skipper’s Gift motors mounted, Michael and Sam Warner got under way slightly behind schedule after a rudder switch on Delos. While starting to lift, the fog was still very much with us as they headed into a rather gray bay to “Red 6” just outside the Richmond Break wall.

Michael took these two pictures after they turned north at Pier 1 and as they ghosted past Angel Island.

Bay Marine Boatworks will sand and fix the hulls, apply two coats of epoxy, then polish the hulls above the waterline. To accomplish this they will use our only road-worthy trailer, retired earlier this year from Moore 24 duty after Karl Robrock’s gracious donation in support of Matt Harper’s gift of Barney.

My plan to get a nice picture with the sun out and two J/24’s teaming into Richmond Breakwater was foiled by Michael and Sam’s rapid transit. They made it just over 90 minutes !

Many connections, donations and volunteer hours lead up to our J/24 Fleet upgrade. The final and most critical was this summer’s donation from Team Luna Rossa via the Americas Cup Event Authority. Funds from their donation provided the opportunity for the work now being started at Bay Marine, and for the furniture in the new Activity Center now on line to support SS Learn. Both support our goal of providing launching points for new horizons for kids of all ages.

Regards from On the Cove,

Dave G

JYC Kids’ Crabby Day at TISC

Posted on October 13, 2013 by skippersgift

Ms Thormahlen’s Crabby Kids after spending at day at Treasure Island Sailing Center learning about SF Bay ecology, plotting new directions for Dungeness crabs, and sailing on Clipper Cove.

The bus with JYC Room 306 rolled in at 10am

The bus with JYC students from Room 306 rolled in at 10am

As 33 John Yehall Chin Elementary School fourth graders departed TISC after their SSLearn Day, I asked for six words describing their feelings. I was blown away when one student excitedly exclaimed “I’m crabby, day had to end”!

Thanks to the San Francisco America’s Cup Organizing Committee and Mayor Lee’s ONESF:Celebrate the Cup program, every fourth grader in San Francisco will be able to spend a day on the bay learning about the ecology of the bay and Dungeness crabs, or San Francisco maritime history, or renewable energy. And go for a sail at Treasure Island Sailing Center on Clipper Cove!

What makes this experiential learning program unique is the curriculum and how it’s delivered. Each day is split into parts: outside activities sharing ideas, inside hands-on time discussing and learning about bay creatures and history, and time in a sailboat driving, touching the water, grabbing seaweed, and experiencing the effects of wind, tide, currents.

Talking while leading stretching excercises is a great way to burn energy while keeping kids’ attention.

Five minutes after the busload of JYC students from Ms. Thormahlen’s Room 306 class pulled into our parking lot last Wednesday at 10am they were running through exercises with our team, breaking into groups of six and getting right down to “work”.

Physical fitness was combined with an overview of TISC early in the day and content-related games as the day progressed. Busy kids are happy kids !

Small groups discuss their field guides in the Activity Center at TISC.

Inside our activity center the 4th graders shared ideas and learned through interaction with our instructor- who guided but did not lecture- and with each other. The Field Journal we provided in advance was their textbook for the day.

It’s no secret the time on the water in sailboats driving, touching the water, discovering seaweed and experiencing the tide, current and wind was the day’s favorite activity. And if a few of these kids show up next summer to take lessons at TISC even better !

TISC’s SSLearn program enables kids to drive an RS Venture sailboat, touch the water, and discover seaweed on Clipper Cove.

Happiness is sailing in an RS Venture on Clipper Cove

Seaweed !!!

When Mother Nature cranks up the breeze, smiles all around are sure to follow.

: Day’s end at 2pm

The pictures above are a few from the many “rolls” taken during the JYC field trip. If you’re a parent and would like to see more of the pictures, ask Ms. Thormahlen for a link to the picture folder. Or contact me directly if you have questions or would like to see additional photos.

Here are two more six-word quotes from Wednesday’s day on Clipper Cove: “So awesome I can’t explain it”; “Best field trip of my life”. To those quotes I would add “Many thanks to Americas Cup organizers”.

Regards from On Clipper Cove, Dave G

In the wake – Here are more pictures from JYC Elementary School’s SSLearn day-on-the-bay last Wednesday:

4th grade students from John Yehall Chin Elementary School arrive at Treasure Island Sailing Center Oct 9th under the new SS Learn experiential learning program

Chris Childers, Program Director at Treasure Island Sailing Center welcomes 22 JYC kids to SSLearn 2013

Yes, that’s West toward San Francisco

It’s not hard to love school when studying about the bay’s ecology and dungeness crabs during an SSLearn session at Treasure Island Sailing Center.

More games, this time used to create “crab stats”

So, what can we learn from this data on dungeness crab population?

The piling is dry on top – does that mean the tide is rising or dropping?

JYC 4th graders listen Phil as he describes the winds and currents on Clipper Cove

While the Oakland loading cranes were not the inspiration for the Star Wars BattleBots this myth sounds cool and lives on.

Meg learning names and introducing her small crew to TISC

An SSLearn RS Venture framed by the western end of Clipper Cove wtih San Francisco in the background.

An SSLearn RS Venture framed by the western end of Clipper Cove with San Francisco in the background.

On the water at TISC’s SSLearn program means REALLY “on the water”

Phil’s crew at Treasure Island Sailing Center on the way to check out life jackets – a mandatory accessory on the docks and of course in the boats.

Annie leads her crew down the ramp to board RS Ventures for their sail on Clipper Cove

Some day at least one of these kids from Wednesday’s SSLearn program will likely attend Berkelely, thanks to inspiration driven by ACOC and OneSF:Celebrate the Cup.

Construction cranes under the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge and container cranes in Oakland frame JYC Students during their October 9th SSLearn class at Treasure Island Sailing Center.

33 happy 4th grade John Yewell Chin Elementary School students depart TISC from their SS Learn class October 9th.

33 happy 4th grade John Yehall Chin Elementary School students depart TISC from their SS Learn class October 9th.

Six Teams Learn, Race, Network at BTR

Posted on October 1, 2013 by skippersgift

Mother Nature delivered near-perfect weather for TISC’s Big Team Regatta on Friday. PG&E set the pace while Goldman Sachs set a great example. Bishop Ranch, Hanson Bridgett and Recommind teams rounded out the generous teams who raised $30,000 for our youth programs.

BTR is the major Treasure Island Sailing Center fundraiser each year. It’s made possible by the generous donation of facilities, boats and coaches from OCSC and the hard work of our TISC team plus many volunteers from Cal Sailing Team.

This regatta was the brainchild of Jay Palace at Group Experiential Learning. It provides an opportunity for companies to give back to the sailing community by sponsoring four participants who expand their sailing skills and have fun while learning to work efficiently as a team on and off the water. And meet other like-minded sailing enthusiasts and youth sailing supporters!

PG&E entered two teams this year and lead both on the water, placing one – two, and off with a total donation of $10,000. Goldman Sachs sponsored four junior sailors who represented TISC and accepted the donation made possible by all BTR participants.

Some of these junior sailors are new to TISC, some have been sailing with us over five years. They include junior instructors, office interns and an inventor creating a foiling Moth. They sail Optis and FJ’s. All great kids learning life lessons while developing self-confidence in themselves as they help others

OCSC’s Club Manager Tim Han was the regatta PRO who delivered pre-race briefings, kept everyone on schedule and ran 5 exciting races with help from Christina Ha and Tracy Rogers. BTR sailors were on high learning curves thanks to their OCSC coaches Ashley, Bruce, David, Eric, Jim and Larry.

Racing was very clost at this year’s BTR. The first race saw four boats cross the finishe line within seconds of each other.

Carisa Harris-Adamson, co-chairman of the TISC Foundation, reminded participants about the effectiveness of hands-on learning and highlighted our new Set Sail Learn program launched in partnership with ONESF: Celebrate the Cup.

Norbert Bajurin, commodore of Golden Gate Yacht Club and fresh from a dramatic ending to the 34th America’s Cup races, provided a timely and topical keynote. He spoke about the importance of junior sailing to our youth here in the Bay Area and worldwide, and the focus of GGYC and TISC programs high school and youth sailing programs.

A huge THANK YOU to this year’s participating companies for making Big Team Regatta 2013 a huge success. As with all such great events we have many sponsors and volunteers to thank, and we’ll do so in a future blog.

Thanks, from On the Cove,

Dave G

In the wake:

I was fortunate to have Isabelle and Jorge, youth sailors from our FJ and Opti racing teams, helping out on the photo boat. They helped track the competitors and took some of the pictures available HERE.

A few additional pictures of the six racing team are below.

Jimmy to Kids: “Never Give Up”

Posted on September 26, 2013 by skippersgift

On Clipper Cove is usually about kids’ smiles and volunteers’ hours. This one is different. Today’s message is for our kids, not about them: “Never give up and always support your team”.

We watched 19 America’s Cup races on our iPad, from the spit in front of Marina Green or from The Bay. Our entire family was aboard Skipper’s Gift as we watched fateful race 8 from the windward mark when the Kiwis nearly tipped over. Yesterday we were fortunate to watch from the deck on Golden Gate Yacht Club.

The media briefings following each day’s racing were as educational, insightful and motivational as the races were exciting. Jimmy Spithill and Dean Barker both remained poised under the relentless barrage of questions from the media.

Jimmy was positive and “single-messaged” at all times. As the score started to heavily favor New Zealand and even when Oracle Team USA was down 1-8 his message remained the same: “Our design team, shore team and sailing team are all working together to make the boat faster and we will never give up”.

Building self-confidence can often be harder than teaching communications, goal setting and team work to young sailors. In fact, self confidence can only be gained, it can’t be taught. Dedicated instructors and coaches, adults who really care, and role models like ALL the AC teams make a big difference in motivate kids to work toward self-confidence.

We have always taught our teams to play their best and have fun. At the end of the day, winning is always more fun than loosing.

Here again, Jimmy’s final message was positive and encouraging. He acknowledged the boat performance and boat handling leadership New Zealand provided to everyone. When he said this was a tough fought match and unfortunate someone had to loose, it was clear he meant it. Same with everyone from OTUSA I saw interviewed.

Were you able to fight back that small tear in your eye when the TV cameras showed the young kiwi on his father’s shoulders with the New Zealand flag in the background during the presentation of the Americas Cup ? I was not.

Sailing programs around the world will benefit from the excitement generated by the 34th America’s Cup. The 19 races over 19 days on these amazing foiling 72′ cats delivered a historical event which has changed how people view sailing forever.

The material legacy from this event can already be seen around SF Bay with new docks and refurbished piers. The Cup’s impact on fourth graders in the San Francisco Unified School District will start next week when students show up at TISC to attend the first “Set Sail Learn” classes we created in partnership with the San Francisco America’s Cup Organizing Committee and ONESF: Celebrate the Cup.

Regards from On The Cove, Dave G

In the wake:

All the races and press briefings are located here: America’s Cup on Youtube

Jimmy’s “imagine what an upset this would be if we won out from here” is at the very end (21:05) of the September 14th media briefing . The snippet where Jimmy talks about that possibility is here: Imagine . . .

Links to the Redbull/Oracle “No Second Place” videos about the AC 72’s and SF bay.

Episode 1 – About the race

Episode 2 – Training

Episode 3 – AC72 Technology

Episode 4 – Foiling

Episode 5 – Sailing the Bay

Episode 6 – Defending the Cup

A few pictures from the final race:

Jimmy talked about “the old girl” and the increase in upwind speed obtained over the last two weeks. It was this upwind performance that turned the tide in favor of AC17.

OTUSA AC17 and Aotearoa foil downwind during the last race. AC17 Foiling Downwind

Crowds from all over the bay watch as Oracle Team USA head for the finish line after 19 hard-fought races.

As the crowds dissipated junior sailors from St. Francis Yacht Club head out for practice on what just hours ago was the greatest racetrack in America’s Cup History.

From On the Rocks to On Clipper Cove in 60 Minutes

Posted on August 26, 2013 by skippersgift

With 1,000 student-drivers per year, dings, nicks and holes can’t be avoided in Treasure Island Sailing Center’s fleet. Dave Collignon, TISC Melges24 sailor and Revchem technical applications expert, shared his fix-it expertise with 26 students using fast-setting UV-cure polyester resin.

Dave’s approach for the class was clever and effective. He used an old Laser hull with four (self inflicted) holes on the curved chine. He took them to various states of completion before class started then used each to demonstrate a different step in the repair process after students arrive. At all times he protected the hull from “drips” with paper, and himself from “the itchies” with long sleeved shirt, glasses, respirator and long sleeves.

The secret ingredient used during the clinic was UV Cure Polyester Surfboard Laminating Resin that hardens in 10 minutes when exposed to sunlight. Pot life in the shade is hours to days. Along with a few other products (available at Svendsen’s Boat Works), simple tools and mother nature – repairs can be accomplished rapidly, even over lunch between the last morning race and first afternoon race !

Dave completed the steps for a simple repair by working on four similar spots in parallel.He used a grinder to remove material around the ding – being careful to leave as much damaged glass intact as a base for the patch. The entire repair to a real hole would easilly have been completed in an hour.A hard block was used for fairing to retain the shape of the hull. The final state, before application of gelcoat, was a “50 grit smooth” surface shaped like the hull slightly recessed to make room for the gelcoat.

Three additives provide the basis for repairs: milled fiber for strength and hardness, Q-Cell quartz microspheres to create a filler that’s easy-to-sand, and fumed silica to act as a thickening agent. Used in various combinations they form a putty with adjustable properties from super strong to super workable. Sitting on the shady table they remained workable all afternoon and into the evening.

Students arrived at 6pm. With the four dings at various states Dave took the class through each step of the repair process.

Even with the sun’s rays weakening, students were able to observe best practices for each step in the process as dave took the repairs to completion.

The final step was the addition of the gelcoat layer. After application of the gelcoat he used a freezer bag to cover the patch to ensure an almost-smooth finish. After curing the gelcoat is sanded with 220-600-800 grit sandpaper then buffed smooth. Fiberglass cloth is available in a wide range of weights, construction and materials. Dave went through many of them, including a short discussion of carbon fiber cloth. He also touched on the use of epoxy resin (best for structural repair) vs the polyester resin used in class ( best for cosmetic repairs).

The last repair of the day was a J/24 hatch cover damaged on one edge. This was a good segue into the use of thick, unwoven glass fiber cloth. Dave showed the key to success with this ungainly material: gloves and various sized resin rollers !

As the sun was finally setting Dave talked through the repair of an Opti with damage to the bow. The trick on this one was a combination putty made with both milled fibers and fumed silica. The deck and hull were then clamped securely but not quite touching. For both the J/24 hatch cover and Opti bow, the last step would be external finishing using same techniques as with the Laser. Questions and wrap-up followed at 7:30.

After the last pizza box was cleared and tables/chairs put away the UVA from Mother Nature was replaced with moon beams over the new Bay Bridge. While not great for UV Cure resin it made a nice bookend for the first annual TISC “Glass Class”.

Thanks again to Dave Collignon for an entertaining, fact-filled, hands-on fiberglass boat repair clinic. And thanks in advance to those attendees who will be using their new-found-skills to help maintain the Treasure Island Sailing Center fleet as they set sail heading out for new horizons.

From On the Cove, Dave G

In the wake:

Here is a link to the reference materials from Wednesday’s clinic: TISC-glass-class-aug-2013

Phone number for Matt Ford, the manager at Svendson’s Chandlery: 510-521-8454 ext# 34. These guys sponsor the Thursday night Laser/V15 races and are great TISC supporters. If you need supplies they are willing to drop off at TISC.

And by the way, if you have a skill you’d like to share with other tenants or a suggestion for upcoming clinic let me know: daveg@onclippercove.com

Two Days, Two Bays, Kids Smiles

Posted on August 19, 2013 by skippersgift

We spent yesterday with our kids on the bay with AC72s, O’pen BICs and Emirates Simulators. Thursday was photo day on Clipper Cove for the last TISC summer session. Hiking, gybing and capsizing with kids smiles all around.

Last things first. On Sunday we watched race two of the LVC series with our kids. Our favorite viewing spot is just east of Golden Gate Yacht Club. The stands west of St. Francis Yacht Club also offer great views, as do the stands and breakwall at Marina Green.

The Americas Cup Event Authority created a packed schedule of events on and off the water at Marina Green and AC Village. This weekend BIC Sports hosted 20 kids aged 10-14 from the US, New Zealand, Hawaii and Bermuda to sail O’pen BICs right in front of the Marina Green grandstand. The course was a zig-zag with final upwind. Check out this video for some of the action from Sunday. bic-slalom

The rules for this event include required sailing maneuvers called for in real-time by on-course judges. As the kids rounded a mark the may be told “stand up”, “gybe”, or “capsize”.

Following the AC72 and O’Pen BIC sailing we visited AC park where we enjoyed the Kids Zone and racing the Emirates sailing simulators. Would have been nice to have time for a nap on the bean bag chairs!

We often talk about the many life lessons included in the TISC sailing curriculum such as self confidence, communication, teamwork and leadership. Of course a key objective of our programs is to train junior sailors to continue with their life on the bay be it through racing, instructing or simply enjoying. This means seamanship, boathandling and safety drills.

Last Thursday’s lessons during the final summer sailing session of the year, were typical of a day on Clipper Cove. Some kids were challenged with mark rounding rules while racing FJs while others in Bugs played follow the leader.

As was the case with the O’pen BIC races, our instructors also required sailors to capsize “on demand” while racing. Winds were on the light side Thursday morning so some capsizes had to be helped along by shifting weight to leeward.

The bugs also got in the act with capsize drills.

Just like on SF Bay, the winds pick up in the afternoon at TISC as well. A favorite part of the day is the downwind sail home.

Above all else, safety is the #1 Priority at Treasure Island Sailing Center. Lifejackets are worn at all times and instructors watch over the capsize drills.

While most of our instructors have returned to school or jobs, others are looking forward to the Fall. You can find information on our Fall Programs HERE.

Regards from on the Bay and on the Cove,

Dave G

In the Wake:

If you are a parent with a child who took lessons at TISC and would like to view more pictures let me know via email (DaveG@onclippercove.com) and I will provide a link to high quality, password-protected JPEGs you can view or download. Be sure to include your name, your child’s name, the session attended and a memory your student shared with you about sailing at TISC.

Even better, if you would like to help our team create a 2-3 minute slide show about TISC SMILES please contact Madison in the TISC office.

ACEA Community Outreach Programs Benefit TISC

Posted on August 13, 2013 by skippersgift

Twenty three TISC students had front-row seats for Race 3 of the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals courtesy of the America’s Cup Event Authority. Our team used public transportation and boats to get everyone to Marina Green. Some made it back.

Thank you Kelly Cowden for providing tickets to last Friday’s LVC race between Artemis and Luna Rosa. Thanks also to Chris Childers and Madison Gattis for figuring out the logistics of getting kids, staff, guests and parents to the venue before the event and re-connected after the event. Even real-time glitches in the public transportation system did not prevent our team from pulling off a fun and educational day for all.

The pre-race events included youth racing right in front of the Marina Green bleachers. Following the races the teams were interviewed live – more good training for these young sailors who handled questions on strategy and tactics as easily as a C420 gybe.

Close finishes were the norm during LVC pre-race program

Marina Green provides awesome viewing. The “defender access” period (have you been watching “No Second Place“) before races ensures lots of action well in advance of the races.

Marina Green provides great “head on” view of Oracle team practicing their starts

Prada practice start prior to LVC Race #3

While our RS Ventures provide exciting planning experience and flying water, there is nothing like seeing AC72s foiling close by. Pictures below are two more examples of the excellent non-stop viewing from Marina Green.

Prada foils past Marina Green during LVC Race #3

Artemis crew foils during LVC semifinal race #3

Our kids, staff and guests were glued to the action during the race. The large TV screens on both sides of the Marina Green bleachers give the feeling of being on the boats at all times. Easy access and ring-side seats make this an excellent location for taking in America’s Cup action.

Action all around engaged TISC student sailors at LVC semifinal race #3

Jumbo screens bring AC excitement to the Marina Green bleachers

ACEA’s Community Outreach Program managed by Kelly Cowden is focused on exposing as many people in the Bay Area as possible to sailing, especially kids. One of our parent volunteers and a junior instructor took in the Friday race from course-side on the San Francisco Fire Department “Guardian”, also courtesy of Kelly and her team.

SF Fire Boat Guardian Hosted Community Service Volunteers During the Race

Students, instructors and staff gather for a quick “Hi and thank you Americas Cup Community Outreach Program” after Friday’s races at Marina Green. Our team is also very appreciative of the financial support received from ACEA through their generous donation from the rockin’ Sublime concert on August 4th.

As the afternoon came to an end, some kids met parents in San Francisco after the races. Others did make it back to TISC in two of our safety boats. AC72 viewing continued as Oracle Team USA boats continued their practice session.

Oracle AC72s dwarf CFD’s during practice run following LVC Race #3

TISC students head back to Clipper Cove following LVC semi-final Race #3

Treasure Island Sailing Center is working with thirty plus outreach partners to provide positive life experiences on the bay for kids in the Bay Area. The support from the America’s Cup Community Outreach program is greatly appreciated.

Regards from Marina Green, Dave G

CAPSIZE !

Posted on August 6, 2013 by skippersgift

Photographing kids can be challenging. Moving boats, variable winds, clouds, shaddows and dynamic backgrounds add further complications. Fortunately our TISC instructors are there to help with boats and drills. The kids favorite was CAPSIZE!

Taking pictures for our annual report is best done toward the end of a two-week youth sailing session after the kids have learned basic sailing and are tuning up their boat handling skills. They can navigate inside and outside of Clipper Cove, play follow-the-leader, turn when the whistle blows and consistently pluck a life jacket (“Man Overboard”) out of the water on the first pass.

And tip over on cue.

By 11:30 on my first “shoot” the same question came from several students after running through morning drills: “Can we capsize now?”. “OK”, Alison announced, “You can capsize now, then we’ll head in for lunch”.

Treasure Island Sailing Center classes stress on-the-water safety and self confidence. Safety is stressed at all times whether on the land or on the water. Self-confidence builds as students’ skills progress from day to day. Our instructors encourage students and guide them to the next level in their sailing and life skills.

Some of the pictures in this blog were taken while an instructor was simultaneously driving, commanding students, and trying to go where I asked. Others were made possible when they shared boats so I could have one to myself. None would be available without our top-notch instructors who created these self-confident smiles.

Beach time provides another opportunity for kids to gain confidence around watercraft while having fun.As students progress from level to level their horizons expand as they move beyond Clipper Cove both in terms of skills learned as well as waters sailed.

Looking forward to our next shoot, regards from on the Cove, on the beach and in the water, Dave G

In the Wake:

If you are a parent with a child who took lessons during the last two sessions or the current session here at TISC and would like to view more pictures send me an email (DaveG@onclippercove.com) and I will provide a link to high quality, password-protected JPEGs you can view or download. Be sure to include your name, your child’s name, the session attended and a memory your student shared with you about their time at TISC.

If you are a parent or simply a friend of TISC and would like to help us create a 2-3 minute slide show from TISC please contact Madison in the TISC office to work out the production logistics. If you have videographer skills, even better !

ETNZ and TISC Teams Race to Encourage Junior Sailors

Posted on July 26, 2013 by skippersgift

Picture from our vantage point on Marina Green taken 7/23

Aotearoa would never clear the shallow sandbar protecting Clipper Cove’s entrance. Fortunately several members of ETNZ used a land route to visit TISC on Wednesday, sharing high 5’s with our kids and challenging our instructors to a few informal races.

The excitement of this year’s Americas Cup is not lost on our students, especially those involved in weekend regattas California. No surprise our students were all smiles to see four members of Emirates Team New Zealand show up at Pier 12 to watch them sail, answer their questions and get out in TISC BUGS for a few races with our instructors.

ETNZ smiles with TISC kid’s smiles

Rigging an 8′ Opti or Bug is simple compared to readying a 13,500 pound carbon fiber winged catamaran to race (see “Preparing ETNZ for Racing“), however they share one common characteristic: there is a right and wrong way to rig any sailboat and to be successful during a race you better do it the right way. Learning early on to rig their own boats helps build student self conficence.

The impact positive role models have on our students is even more valuable than the four-point “life skills” learning we teach here at TISC. When the role models are wearing black shirts, represent Emirates Team New Zealand and speak “with a way cool accent” ( according to the students I talked with at TISC today at lunch) then even better. Kids “get it” when adults are willing to share time with them – even if the the “thank you”s are not alway verbalized.

Clipper Cove provides a picturesqe venue for sailing and hosting a few races for our visitors from Down Under and TISC instructors provided everyone with an opportunity to do what we all like best -SAIL ! The pictures below are courtesy of our Program Director Chris Childers and Head Instructor Ann Butts.

Clean Start on Clipper Cove

Close quarters on Clipper Cove

Splitting tacks on Clipper Cove

Port – starboard on Clipper Cove

Friendly conversation on Clipper Cove framed by Oakland cranes

Racing onn Clipper Cove framed by new Bay Bridge

There are many opportunities for volunteers to support our programs here at Treasure Island Sailing Center. The most fun are the on-the-water sailing and by far the most rewarding are seeing the smiles on the faces of kids of all ages when the light first goes and they’re able to sail solo around Clipper Cove.

Thanks again Emirates Team New Zealand for sharing your time and love of sailing with our team, much appreciated !

From On the Cove, Dave G

In the Wake:

If you are a friend, a regular volunteer or a tenant here at TISC looking for volunteer hours you may have received an email recently listing up-coming opportunities to spend time on the water sharing YOUR love of sailing with others. In case you missed it, see below. Please contact Chris Childers (programs@tisailing.org, 415-421-2225) if you can help on one or more of these dates.

Saturday 7/27 Group Sail – 11am-2pm (2 volunteers)
Sunday 7/28 Community Sailing Day – 10am-1pm (1 volunteer)
Monday 7/29 Group Sail – 10am-1pm – (1 volunteer)
Tuesday 7/30 Group Sail – 10am-1pm – (1 volunteer)
Wednesday 7/31 Group Sail – 10am-1pm – (1 volunteer)
Thursday 8/1 Group Sail – 9am-12pm – (2 volunteers)
Saturday 8/3 Group Sail – 1pm-4pm (1 volunteer)
Saturday 8/3 Blind Sailing Day – 10am-3pm (5 volunteers) – This requires a training session on 7/31 in the afternoon
Wednesday 8/7 Group Sail – 10am-1pm – (1 volunteers)
Wednesday 8/7 Group Sail – 12pm-3pm – (5 volunteers)
Thursday 8/8 Group Sail – 10am-2pm – (7 volunteers)

Think Fast ! (gasp, gasp)

Posted on July 15, 2013 by skippersgift

The Tetons were breathtakingly beautiful and Yellowstone NP showcased Mother Nature in live-action color for a recent family wedding in Wyoming. Saturday we watched Emirates Team New Zealand race Luna Rosa from Skipper’s Gift. Also colorful and action packed.

The time seemed to fly by quickly between setting up chairs at 7:30 Saturday morning at Heart 6 Ranch and the first music from the string quartet at 10:30. I can’t say our hearts were racing but I will admit to working up a deadline-driven sweat before the wedding. The Tetons delivered a view unlike any other wedding we’ve attended.

A week later we were watching the pre-start action between Aotearoa and Prada – the most strategically significant part of Saturday’s match race. Seeing two foiling AC72’s was the most exciting part of the day.

Maneuvers were a highlight. Synchronizing the efforts of all eleven crew has to be one of the most demanding aspects of racing these boats. Watching the Emirates Team New Zealand boat round the leeward gate put a new perspective on dropping the chute on our J/24. Thanks to my friend Youssef Ismail for this shot taken as we passed south of Alcatraz.

Back home I watched “Training to Win”, the second episode in the Red Bull series “Inside the Americas Cup: No Second Place” and was impressed by the focus on decision making under great stress and elevated heart rate. Especially the scene where crew members were stopped in the middle of their grinding and running exercises to solve mind puzzles.

The America’s Cup presence here in the Bay provides exciting, even heart-throbbing, action whether you race sailboats, enjoy sailing, or have spent little time on the water. We’re fortunate to be able to watch live from the bay, on land, via TV and over the internet.

TISC doesn’t claim to train our kids for sailing in the Americas Cup (well, not yet anyway!). We do use sailing as a platform to teach goal setting, communications, teamwork and self-confidence to help them be successful now and later in life. We hope to peak kids’ interest in racing and we provide opportunities for racing individually and teamed with others.

Regards from On the Cove, Dave G

In the wake:

Manufacturing and repair technology has progressed rapidly over the last decade, even few years. We’ll be hosting a hands-on materials technology clinic here at TISC mid-August on a week night to be announced. If you’re interested in learning more about the current state of technology of epoxy resin, gelcoat and carbon fiber materials used to manufacture and repair sailboats and sailing gear let me know via email (daveg@onclippercove.com). We will send additional details when available. Registration will be limited, with TISC tenants receiving first priority with advanced registration. A great opportunity to learn current best practices for working with epoxy-based materials.

OnClipperCove

Launching Point for New Horizons

Category Archives: Uncategorized

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