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Afternoon Sails
Two or three times a week in the fall, groups of middle school students and high school students in the spring, are brought to the San Francisco Marina to sail on the Bay. They sail either on the 46' ocean racer Golden Bear or the Hans Christian 43' ocean cruiser, Benjamin Walters.The boats are crewed by volunteers whose sailing skills have been certified by the Foundation.

A unique aspect of our program is that each child is given the chance to be trained on steering the boat and actually takes a turn at the wheel. Another thrilling aspect of the trip is to ride on the pulpit seat at the bow of the boat, almost flying above the water.

Ocean Sailing: Gleaming Ocean
In 2008, we will begin cruising on Benjamin Walters with selected volunteers and high school students, sailing all over San Francisco Bay the first year, and out on the ocean to Half Moon Bay, Drakes Bay, and other destinations in subsequent years. This will be a several month program taking place on weekends.

Races
Occasionally the Bear participates in Friday night races, crewed by volunteers and high school students.

What to Expect on an Afternoon Sail

Students, when you sail with Blue Water Foundation on San Francisco bay, you will sail either on the 46' ocean racer, Golden Bear, or the Hans Christian 43' ocean cruiser, Benjamin Walters, big, stable boats suited to the bay. There will be two Bluewater-certified captains on each boat as well as several trained crew who will show you all you need to know for an afternoon adventure on the bay.

Students come by school or public bus to the San Francisco Marina, and have lunch and use the restroom on shore before boarding the boat. Personal belongings (back-packs, cell phones, etc.) will be stowed in the boat where they will be dry and safe for the trip.

Students should dress in layers with close-toed, lace-up, rubber-not-black-soled shoes, a windbreaker jacket, scarf and gloves. The wind may be calm or really blowing, and it can change from one minute to the next. We will adjust to the weather conditions for the most fun in a safe setting.

After a short safety talk, you will put on a life jacket that Bluewater provides, then board the boat. We motor out of the harbor, raise the sails and off we go!!

Each of you will have a chance to steer the boat, learn some of the mechanics and principles of sailing, and about sea life, tides, and currents in a place where the lesson is taught by nature itself.

Considering the weather and tidal conditions, we may go out under the Golden Gate Bridge and/or cruise around Alcatraz. Imagine listening to the echo of your voice as you shout up at the Bridge from below, or seeing Alcatraz from the water on the other side! We also see many sea birds and often seals, dolphins, and even an occasional whale!

After about three hours, we head back, drop the sails, and motor back to the harbor. We will return to shore at the time requested by the supervising teacher.

For more information, please check our web-site: bluewaterfoundation.org or call Bob Bogiades, Captain (415) 567-5718 for more information.

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