Two Days, Two Bays, Kids Smiles

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”.bic-stand upbic - alcatraz bic-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.TISC - sorting it out TISC - upwind

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.TISC- fj righting TISC - team practice TISC - going over

The bugs also got in the act with capsize drills.TISC-bug righting

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.TISC-homeward bound TISC - downwind

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.TISC-Lifejackets TISC-rigging and safety

TISC-safety boat

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.