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Sailing Instruction: Catamaran Sailing Classes in California
Catamaran classes build confidence for racing, improve sailors' safety on the water and get new sailors ready for racing. Community classes are great for people thinking about crewing, interested in buying their first boat and looking for social activities. Schools not only provide the boats, schools provide lockers, showers, wetsuits, lifejackets and harnesses are part of the class.
Two California based sailing schools have been successfully teaching community catamaran sailing for years, the University of California Los Angeles and in Mission Bay the University of California San Diego/San Diego State University. Students, faculty and staff at California State University Long Beach can access classes that are not yet open to the general public. Contact information is provided at the bottom of this article.
Classes range in price from $145 per class to $185 per class. An additional one-time fee for membership in the community program may be required. The membership is usually part of the school's insurance requirements. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are often eligible for discounted class fees.
Classes are 4-7 hours long and usually total 2-6 classes in a series. Most classes are offered on weekends or late afternoons. Catamaran classes have a prerequisite of taking one or more basic sailing classes on a Holder, Lido or similar dinghy. These classes are available at the same location.
Private classes and youth classes are available upon request. The schools frequently organize social events such as open houses or sailing and a barbeque during the summer months. Additionally, inexpensive boat rentals are available to sailors who successfully complete the class. If you don't live near San Diego or Los Angeles, catamaran classes can be found through university sailing programs, yacht clubs with catamaran fleets and community organizations like the Boy Scouts.
Already Know How to Sail?
Skippers who know how to sail can still benefit from sailing schools. Sailing schools are great locations to find new crew and new skippers. For race organizers, sailing schools can be a source for a few volunteers for the committee boat, chase boat and photos. In some states, you might be able to donate equipment to schools for a tax write off. And, occasionally, a sailor from the school is looking for a catamaran to charter or in the market for his or her first catamaran.
Contact
UCLA Marine Aquatic Center
http://www.marinaaquaticcenter.org/
310-823-0048
14001 Fiji Way
Marina del Rey CA 90292
SDSU/UCSD Mission Bay Aquatic Center
http://www.missionbayaquaticcenter.com/
858-488-1000
1001 Santa Clara Pl.
San Diego, CA 92109
Shauna McGee Kinney is living in Perth, Australia and raced beachcats for six years prior to moving from Long Beach, CA. She is a member of Hobie Fleet 51 Las Vegas, continues to promote Hobie Division 2 racing and actively supports new crew in AZ, CA and NV. Shauna can be reached at shaunakinney@yahoo.com
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