Compared to other sports, sailing always seems to be hard to access or get started in. However, here in the Bay Area, we’ve got you covered! Below, you’ll find some recommendations to experience sailing in the Bay.
1. Meetup.com
Meetup.com is a platform for people to do all kinds of activities together. You will find different groups of sports enthusiasts and events in your area. For sailing, there are several groups that organize meetups for both beginners and advanced sailors. I have joined the SF Bay Sailing Meetup Group, and I highly recommend their meetups! It is a perfect place to meet new people, learn sailing skills, and enjoy a safe and relaxing day out on the water. Don’t worry if you have never sailed before. Members of the group will introduce the basics and answer all the questions you have!
Here's a picture of me sailing with the group (right):
2. Sail a Small Boat Day (March 3, 2018, at the Richmond Yacht Club)
The Richmond Yacht Club is organizing a Sail a Small Boat Day on Saturday, March 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is open to everyone, whether or not you’ve sailed before. During the event, you can try different small boats with no fee! It is a great opportunity if you’d like to experience dinghy sailing in the Bay. Dinghy sailing is a bit different from yacht sailing, even though the basics are the same. You should expect to get wet during the event, so don’t forget to bring your wetsuit and PFD if you have one, as well as a set of clothes to change into after.
SF Social organizes several sports leagues for teams to play sports and have fun. They offer a sailing league in spring 2018. It’s a perfect opportunity for people who want to learn how to sail! The sailing league is a 6-week program, with the boat and coach provided. All you have to do is show up, learn new skills and have fun! Our Decathlon teammates are also joining the league, so we look forward to seeing you there!
At Decathlon, we believe all sports should be accessible to everyone. We hope the above recommendations are useful for those who are interested in trying out sailing. See you at the sea!
