|
Day Camp for
Boys & Girls Club of Venice, CA
Marina del Rey, Mother’s Beach, CA
June 30 - July 3, 2003
Press Release
|
|
Fairwind Yacht Club
310 306 1116
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 25, 2003
50 At-Risk Youth Learn Sailing, Paddling and Safety
June 30 - July 3, 2003 Fifty at-risk boys and girls will participate in
the Fairwind Yacht Club Junior Aquatics Program on Mother’s Beach in
Marina del Rey. Unlike most Yacht Club programs, this week-long aquatics
camp will serve members from the Boys & Girls Club of Venice.
The 8-17 year old youth will be taught how to use Hobie Cats, kayaks and
sailboards. They will be instructed in water safety, marine terms, craft
handling and seamanship.
The camp will use equipment provided by US SAILING Multihull Council’s
Fast & Fun Program. Fast & Fun has a 40’ trailer full of equipment that
travels the nation providing a unique, multi-faceted aquatic experience.
The summer aquatic camp is a collaborative project of the Los Angeles
County Sheriff (Marina del Rey), the Boys & Girls Club of Venice, Fairwind
Yacht Club, and the Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation.
The Sheriff’s Department is providing deputies and permit help; the Boys &
Girls Club of Venice is providing youth counselors, transportation and
insurance; Fairwind is providing volunteer sailing and aquatic
instructors, the Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation is covering costs of
a designated life guard, equipment trucking and other incidentals. This
collaborative project will provide a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for
community kids who would not otherwise have access to this type of
experience.
What the kids are saying:
Lauren Rodrigues - Age 8 - “Sailing is really cool! Wednesday is my
favorite day because its sailing day! I like heeling and steering the
best. Most of all I love racing!”
Alex Martin - Age 8 “Wow! I got to touch the water and I like it when we
try and beat the other boat”
Willum Hahn - Age 9 - “I like tacking when its time to tack the instructor
says ‘ready about’ and we say ‘ready’ and then we start.”
Zoe Delli-Bovi - Age 8 1/2 - “I really like the people who run the sailing
program (they are really cool) and I like when I get to drive the boat.”
Ashley O’Halloran - Age 9 - "It’s really fun and I have learned a lot like
the parts of the boat. And I love the water."
What the program partners are saying:
JR Dzubak - Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of Venice - “I am
sojazzed. Many of our kids have never been to Marina del Rey, let alone
been on the water. This is a terrific opportunity for our kids.”
Lt. Tracee Edmonds - LA County Sheriff and Marina del Rey Harbormaster -
“Youth leadership programs like the Fairwind Junior Aquatics Program
create positive experiences for kids. I want the camp to be safe, fun and
influential in helping these children make smart life choices.”
Art Stevens - US SAILING Multihull Council Chair - “We are very excited to
bring the Fast & Fun program to Marina del Rey for the first time. Our
national program brings sailing and paddling equipment and instruction to
events like this all over the country.”
Susan Artoff - President, Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation - “The Santa
Monica Bay Sailing Foundation has a mission of advancing the opportunities
of new sailors in the community, and it is a pleasure to help fund the
Venice Boys and Girls Club new junior sailing program. Our grant directly
helps kids who would never have a chance to experience the extraordinary
world of the ocean.”
Captain Adam Colson - Fairwind Yacht Club sailing instructor - “One of the
highlights of my week is teaching the kids to sail. They get so turned
on! We teach them communication, teamwork, critical thinking,
self-esteem, plus a whole lot of sailing and fun!”
David Lumian - Fleet Captain, Fairwind Yacht Club and project coordinator
- “Its a tribute to the richness of the Marina/Venice community that so
many agencies are partnering this unique program.
I am grateful that the Marina Sheriff’s office, the Venice Boys and Girls
Club, the Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation, US SAILING and the Fairwind
Yacht Club each are making vital contributions to help get the kids out on
the water. I hope that we will expand the program in the years ahead.”
For additional information, please contact Dave Lumian from the Fairwind
Yacht Club at
dlumian@aol.com or 310-306-1116.
|
