PAGE 6 • WINTER 2007 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
WINTER 2007 • PAGE 19
FEATURED FACILITY • TRADEWINDS SAILING SCHOOL
SAILING LESSONS
moody, black outboard engine beast when it quit on us,
usually when needed most. But, we triumphed. We
continued from page 4By Marianne Wheeler
knew what we were doing, and we were doing it well.
W
hen most people think of
Back on the water, no matter how much joking, we
We were sailing! When the wind picked up, we hung on
a day sail in clear blue
meant business. All had filed down their nails and
to the tiller and to each other, the boat heeled and we
water on a hot, late
donned gloves to hoist and unfurl, trim and ease, and
hiked out hard, slicing through the afternoon chop,
summer day or of sitting around
crank those winches with might. We learned more boat-
taking salty spray on the nose. When the wind turned
dressed in t-shirts and sandals at a
work, sang out “ready about” and sailed to our hearts’
light, we leaned back in the cockpit, catching our
dockside BBQ, chances are San
content in varied wind conditions from slow-go to lift-off
breath, and gazed at the beautiful sight around us.
Francisco Bay doesn’t readily come
mode.
Carol let fly one of her crystal clear laughs and we all
to mind. Isn’t it always cold, foggy
turned, what, what? “Nothing,” she smiled, “I’m just
and windy out there? Don’t you live
While comparing sun screens and evaluating hats and
happy to be here.”
in foul weather gear the moment
sailing clothes, we worked all points of sail, tacked
you step onto a dock and never
and jibed, put in reefs underway and shook them out
Then, as if to top off our wonderful time, we were treated
leave home without a hot thermos?
again. Most importantly, we applied the Rules of the
to a most amazing sight – Whales! Whales in the bay, a
Well yes, our bay is notorious for
Road and practiced the figure eight man-over-board
female with her calf! They surfaced close ahead of us,
fast, chilly, and wet summer sails. recovery. Giving our all to rescue the M.O.B. (a PFD
lazily bending out of the water. Really, we all saw them.
But then, there’s the rest of the Type IV cushion) and get him back on board, we really
And no, there was no wine aboard. We hoped they would
year. Fresh, breezy spring, glorious got into it.
find their way back through the narrow Golden Gate, out
Indian summer in fall, and mild,
into the open sea.
calm winter periods in the rainy “Quick, bring him back to life and toss him in again!”
season add countless days of Gayle shouted with glee.
When we felt prepared enough, we took the ASA written
sailing fun in sunny and warm
examination. Everyone passed with flying colors and got
Students at Tradewinds Sailing School and Club in Point Richmond, Calif., regularly pass
conditions. And, we did! When a seagull practically landed on the
certified with the ASA Official International Log Book, a
under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the Northern California Pacific while learning.
cushion in the water trying to take possession, we were
sort of passport to sailing the world.
Sailing year-round, Tradewinds Sailing School and Club ready and willing to beat it off with the boat hook to
in Point Richmond, Calif., thrives in all seasons and sets For more information aid and reclaim our victim.
What Came of It All
a high level of learning for its students. It has offered all
So, how did everyone feel at the end of the class?
the fun, and all the challenges, of San Francisco Bay,
Visit www.tradewindssailing.com
The Ups and Downs
and beyond, for more than 45 years. With its special
location and the goal of making sailing available to all
Bareboat Chartering year-round on San Francisco Bay. For Not that all our sailing went perfectly throughout the
Marie: “My highlight was, when I understood the
people, it is an ideal place to enjoy sailing. Its motto
Advanced Coastal Cruising and Offshore Passage-Making, class. We sailed donuts when we jibed, and we jibed
difference between a tack and a jibe. My husband has
“You don’t have to be a millionaire to learn how to sail,”
they guide students out the Golden Gate into the even when we meant to tack. But, we recovered our course
been explaining that to me forever and I felt stupid for
captures the spirit of Tradewinds and continues to be
more challenging waters, and often extreme conditions, of every time and trimmed to it. We had to wrestle the
not getting it. Now, I know. It was like an epiphany. I
true, especially now, under the ownership of Skipper
the Northern California Pacific – only for the hardiest and
feel empowered.”
Butch Florey and his family.
most experienced of sailors. Tradewinds also developed
specialty courses, like Basic Catamaran, Advanced
WHERE AM I?
Megan: “The calm instruction helped me a lot. It was a
Anchoring, and the popular Advanced Docking, which
good blend of book learning and going out sailing. I
Butch has been with Tradewinds for a good many years,
helps take the adrenaline rush out of docking and mooring
learned and had a good time doing it.”
running the school and club together with founder Kirt
when the wind blows and the currents run strong.
Valentine, and later, with owner David Kory. In 2004, he Gayle: “I loved the all women’s class. We laughed so
took over the helm entirely. He brought his daughter
Tradewinds wants everyone to enjoy sailing and finds
much and shared our concerns. If we fell apart – no big
Brandy (Operations Manager) and son-in-law Matt
that enjoyment comes with competence. They believe
deal.”
Kepner (Maintenance/IT) on board, and soon their baby
one of the best ways of teaching sailing is to start with
boy A.J., Tradewinds youngest sailor, joined. Rounding
small boat handling and progress to larger vessels
Carol: “Women cheer for each other. When we tie a knot
out the crew is First Mate Lynn, Butch’s wife.
gradually. This encourages students and members to sail
we cheer, when we don’t, or do, crash the boat into the
on many different types of boats to find out what they
dock, we cheer. What can I say? Yee-haw!”
Tradewinds’ Philosophy like or could do without. The facility has seven fast and
Fun and safety on the water are Tradewinds highest
fun 25-foot Catalina Capris for beginners and a variety
We all joined in her resounding laugh and agreed that we
priority. Only experienced, patient instructors, ASA
of boats in the next level of 29-foot boats, to cruising
really enjoyed sailing together.
qualified and U.S.C.G. licensed, have been chosen to
boats 33 to 42 feet in length. They are brand new and
share their love of sailing. Presently, there are twenty-one
classic models, including a 42-foot center cockpit
I was inspired by this class. I want to keep on teaching
instructors on the roster. Some have been with
Beneteau and a treasured Islander 36. With a total of
women to love sailing and show their spirit.
Tradewinds since its earlier days. Others include “Women
thirty boats, and more continually added, Tradewinds
with Women” instructors geared toward a specific group.
sailors spend plenty of time on the water, honing their
I’ll raise a glass of Chardonnay to them. Aye, my
skills and building experience, having a good time.
seaworthy mates! Cheers, and more wine for my friends!
© 2007 - GeoEye - All rights reserved
All Tradewinds instructors apply the ASA Standard of
ANSWER ON THE ASA WEBSITE AT WWW.ASA.COM
Sailing through ASA classes from Basic Keelboat to
Marianne Wheeler has been a Tradewinds Instructor since 2002.
continued on page 10
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