The American Youth Sailing Force and Sunsail teamed up to sail across San Francisco Bay with students participating in the East Bay’s Afterguard sailing program.
Sunsail provided Beneteau First 40 sailboats and the Force and the Afterguard youths enjoyed an afternoon of sailing as they delivered the boats to the Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show in Oakland.
“These kids have been sailing in much smaller boats in the Oakland Estuary and had never sailed in big breeze or flown a spinnaker before. This was really a new experience for them,” Force team member Evan Sjostedt said in a statement.
“It was really great getting out in the middle of the bay and sailing with the spinnakers up,” team manager Ian Andrewes said in a statement. “The kids had a really good time and the boats were really moving in the strong breeze.”
Along the way, the Force talked about what they are doing to compete in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup and what it is that motivates them to succeed, and they answered questions about how the youngsters can participate and find job opportunities in the maritime industry.
The Force said it plans to make an announcement today at its seminar on sailing the AC45s. The announcement will occur at Pavilion E from 4:45-5:45 p.m.
