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Morro Bay's "back bay" at the Baywood Park Pier
is an IDEAL LOCATION to learn to sail!
The back bay is a small boat sailing paradise! On summer mornings when the tide is high, the shallow waters near Baywood
Park are wide and smooth-- ideal for learning to sail.
Typical gentle breezes from the west make beach push-off and landing easy for beginners. There are no currents and no
boat traffic to distract a youngster from the fun of learning to be the "captain of his or her own sailboat."
Classes meet just a few steps from Second Street in Baywood Park. The area is visible online via the sometimes live-webcam
at the Baywood Inn. A cafe is conveniently nearby. Bayside benches accommodate family members who choose to stay and observe.
Day-by-day description of the program.
(Exact program may vary depending on weather conditions.)
DAY ONE:
Students start by becoming comfortable operating small boats, by learning to row stable 8-foot boats. Even children who
have no prior experience in boats find this activity easy and fun.
Basic canoe and kayak paddling and essential knot tying will be taught as well.
Demonstrations of sailboat set-up and sailing also take place on the first day.
DAY TWO:
Students get further practice rowing, practice setting up the 8-foot boats for sailing, and "go sailing", first with an
instructor at the helm, later with the instructor as a helpful passenger. Some students may sail "solo" on the second day
with an instructor sailing nearby.
DAY THREE:
Most students will "solo," at first sailing with an instructor nearby, later traveling more or less independently out
from the beach, around an anchored flag or post, and back to the beach.
The typical wind direction and the shape of the back bay naturally keep young sailors reassuringly near the beach, even
if they get momentarily confused. On the back bay there are no currents to sweep students away and no powerboats to demand
attention.
DAY FOUR:
Students sharpen their skills. They practice rigging their sailboats and sailing to specific objectives. They learn
more complicated maneuvers and refinements of technique. Students exercise judgement and gain increasing experience in
decision-making.
A graduation ceremony will conclude the camp and celebrate the students' accomplishments.
HOORAY FOR WIND POWER!!!
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