Many people think that the only way to get kids involved in boating and water-based activities is to pay a bunch of money to a new boat for the family and take a boating course or join a private yacht club to teach them how to sail.
For the past decade or so, the Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside have partnered with marinas and other supporters to get about 2,000 inner-city kids involved with sailing and boating every summer. And the kids and their families don’t pay a dime.
“For most of these kids, it’s their first time ever being in the water,” said Kurtis Sundblom, director of advancement and philanthropy for the Boys and Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside. “It’s eye-opening. They get an opportunity to see the water and now they’re on the boats.”
Youth sailing has been in southern California for decades and the Boys and Girls Club has managed a program based out of Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey in partnership with Del Rey Yacht Club, Fairwind Yacht Club, and Santa Monica Windjammer Yacht Club, among others. The director of sailing for the boys and girls clubs is Nathan Mai, and the branch from San Gabriel Valley has worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Oxnard and Port Hueneme as well.
“We have the kids certified for sailing through the American Sailing Association and the American Canoeing Association,” said Sundblom. “Last summer we had more than 2,000 kids, and from what we’re seeing for this year, we’ll hit about 2,200.”
He said that Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell has been a big supporter of the program. “Her vision for the marina is equitable access,” said Sundblom. “Her goal for the marina is for all kids and families to experience the water and the activities on the water.” He adds that all the supporters of the program need to raise about $500,000 per year for it to continue.
At the Mother’s Beach venue, the kids sail 12-foot to 14-foot Hobie Cats and they learn how to use ocean kayaks and paddleboards. Thanks to the partnership with the Fairwind Yacht Club, some of the participants get to sail larger boats like J22s.
The age range is typically from tweens to teenagers and the kids with West San Gabriel Valley come from towns like Inglewood, Monterey Park and La Puente. The sailing program is part of the Boys & Girls Club’s “Beyond The Walls” initiative to bring new opportunities to club members from outside their neighborhood. They learn and apply skills like water safety, communication and teamwork while becoming familiar with Marina del Rey and opportunities within the recreational and commercial marine industries. Participants apply STEM education in classes that can vary from one-time recreational exposure sessions to five-to-six-week courses held under the supervision of ASA/ACA certified instructors.
Sundblom said that out of the 2,000 or so kids who participate in the summer program, he and his team identify up to 40 who show a desire to get more involved with boating. “Some teenagers are now open for opportunities to get hired as deck hands and crewmembers,” said Sundblom. “Some of these kids have never dreamt of being on the water. We have one who really wants to become a mechanic to work on boat engines.”
The Traditional Route
Of course, there are other ways to get kids involved in boating. The Log’s parent company owns Maritime Training Institute, which has boater education courses offered through a program called Boater U. Tony Coco is a certified boating instructor for Boater U and for the BoatUS organization. He said that about 10 percent of the students who take his courses are kids. “If they come, they’re almost always with their parents,” he said. “I had one girl who was looking to get into the industry and she went on her own.”
Regardless of the age of the student, Coco takes the same approach, starting with the fundamentals. “When I do teach a kid, I want you to try to get it perfect every time. When we’re doing a stop, I want you to be precise so when you get to drive dad’s boat you can be perfect.”
Parents who want someone else to teach their kids to sail can reach out to one of the myriad local private groups the California Yacht Club, the Dana Point Yacht Club and other local outlets.
Racing Opportunities
If a youngster has more of a need for speed, the American Power Boat Association has Junior Class powerboat racing. Junior Hydroplanes and Runabout classes are open to kids starting at age 9 and safety and fun are the priorities. The categories were developed to give young drivers the experience needed to prepare them for the larger, faster boats. Once a racer turns 16, they can move up to an adult category. Junior Class 15A outboards that are legal for all junior classes can be purchased through the ABPA Shop.
Junior hydroplanes and runabouts have a top speed of 40 mph and are open to kids aged 9 through 16. AX hydroplanes and runabouts are 10 mph faster and are for ages 12 and up. Rookie drivers take a written test and are required to stay in the back of the pack in initial events. They receive coaching from experienced drivers and officials to make sure they know the rules. All J-Class racers wear an approved racing helmet, a lifejacket designed to float drivers face up and Kevlar sleeves and pants to protect them from cuts. For more information, go to www.apba.org.
