The Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation hosts a series of beginner Optimist clinics during the spring, and the first two Saturday sessions have gone off without a hitch! Our first clinic was held on March 12 with eight novice sailors on the dock, and our second clinic on April 10 had an even stronger turnout with ten kids learning how to sail in the SBYSF’s Optimist dinghies. The clinic was taught by SBYSF Instructor Shea Artis, who was assisted by members of the SBYSF Race Team.

The clinics started with knot-tying and rigging demonstrations, followed by a tacking drill on the dock. After explaining some other basic aspects of sailing, each kid got in a boat and we made our way out to the harbor. The weather was perfect for both these clinics, with moderate wind out of the east on both days. This allowed for easy sailing for the kids, who were able to sail all the way from the Youth Foundation dock out to the harbor and back all by themselves.

We have one more clinic scheduled, on May 8. The class is currently full, but we may schedule a fourth clinic at the end of May to keep up with demand. Please contact Duncan at the SBYSF office (965-4603) or visit www.sbysf.org for more information.

Special thanks to SBYSF Race Team/High School Sailing Team members Tucker Atterbury, Carly Shevitz, Kieron Kavanagh, Jake Bartlien, Newt Cutcliffe, and Brenna Hensley for their help in teaching and mentoring this new generation of youth sailors!

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