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Ed Ueber shows his excitement at being one of the first to pilot the DeepWorker. (photo: Dan Howard)

Date: Saturday April 3rd, 2010

Time: 7 - 9pm

Location: OCSC SAILING Clubroom

Details: This special lecture and presentation will feature Mr. Ed Ueber, Manager of Cordell Bank and National Marine Sanctuary San Francisco, California.  He will give you an amazing inside look into the Farallon Islands by showing slides and discussing some topics such as:  The animals on and around the Farallon Islands, and why they are attracted there.  The changing ecology – which species are winning and which are losing.  The history of the research that continues on the islands.  Discussion of the Great Whites and the reasons they are so abundant there.

More info and RSVP: 800.223.2984  info@ocsc.com

3-DAY,2-NIGHT BOAT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AGES 13-16 FOR HANDS-ON VOYAGES EXPLORING SAN FRANCISCO BAY THE 82′ EDUCATIONAL SCHOONER SEAWARD.

APRIL 12-14 & JULY 26-28, 2010

CALL 415-331-3214 IF INTERESTED

COST: $350 (NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE, PLEASE CALL)

During this challenging, hands-on adventure, youth will become active members of sailing the Schooner SEAWARD. They will work as a team as they learn skills in seamanship, sailing, navigation, and marine ecology. The voyage will start at the Bay Model, Sausalito, and sail up San Pablo Bay to the Mothball Fleet of old naval ships in Suisin Bay, As they sail back to San Francisco Bay the next day, the teens (under the guidance of a professional captian and crew) develop teamwork and leadership skills through learning to sail a classic sailing vessel. The following day, together they tackle the challenge of sailing SEAWARD under the three bridges of central San Francisco Bay. Dependent on weather, wind and tide instead of social pressures and electronic entertainment, they gain an appreciation and respect for the ocean environment. By fully participating in all aspects of shipboard life such as steering, navigating, standing watch, and helping in the galley, students become one with the rhythms of a sailing ship underway, often returning to shore forever changed. This program takes place in the protected waters of the San Francisco Bay. The program begins at 9 a.m. on the 1st day and ends at 5 p.m. on the 3rd day.

Voyage Camps are a program of Call of the Sea, an educational non-profit whose mission is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with the sea through educational programs aboard a sailing vessel that focus on our nautical heritage, the ocean environment, seamanship, teamwork, and leadership.

CALL OF THE SEA - (415) 331-3214

Jo Royel, skipper of the Plastiki, has sailed the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans and circumnavigated.  But I would bet she has never sailed a 60 foot Catamaran made almost entirely of recycled plastic.  That is exactly what she is about to do as she plans to set sail from San Francisco Bay to Sydney, Australia aboard this intriguing vessel.

Jo Royle, skipper of the Plastiki

 Anthony Sandberg was at Sausalito’s Cavallo Point last Thursday night to hear Jo Royle and David De Rothschild sit down for a Q and A event in front of an overflow crowd.  The sailors’ goal is to draw attention to the plight of our polluted oceans.  You can read more about Thursday’s event here, or to find out more about the Plastiki and follow the boat and it’s crew’s progress, visit the boat’s website: 

www.theplastiki.com

There has been a lot of talk about bringing the next America’s Cup competition to the San Francisco Bay.  To bay area sailors this proposition is very exciting.  Larry Ellison, co-founder and CEO of Oracle, discusses this in an interview published in the Wall Street Journal soon after his America’s Cup victory.

BMW Oracle owner Larry Ellison. Photo / AP

 Oracle Corp. Chief Executive and multibillionaire Larry Ellison won the America’s Cup on Sunday, claiming sailing’s most prestigious trophy for San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club. Now he hopes to bring the next edition of the regatta—which will likely be held in about three years—to San Francisco itself.

Mr. Ellison, 65 years old, cultivated his passion for competitive sailing in San Francisco Bay, which he dubs “a wonderful natural amphitheater for sailing.” He adds, “I’m not sure there’s any place in the world that is better for viewers.”

Fresh off the America’s Cup victory, Mr. Ellison—who is the Bay Area’s wealthiest individual with an estimated $27 billion fortune, according to Forbes—discussed his favorite places to sail in the region and where in the Bay he hopes to hold the next America’s Cup.

Q: Is San Francisco a feasible site for the America’s Cup?

A:Absolutely. We match raced [Switzerland-based rival sailing team] Alinghi in San Francisco Bay in the Moët Cup [in 2003]. It was a spectacular regatta because people could watch from office buildings. The boats are big enough that you can see the entire race. We had hundreds of thousands of people watching this race—it was probably the most watched sailboat race ever. And we beat them.

 Read More…

The 2010 OCSC BVI Flotilla group just before departure from the Moorings base in Road Harbor.

What an amazing adventure!  10 days of relaxation and great sailing.  The 2010 OCSC BVI Flotilla, being my first, definitely lived up to expectations.  We had consistent breezes of up to 25 knots with smooth seas that allowed us to sail from one island to the next in no time at all.  My favorite being the 8.5 knot cruising speed on a beam reach from Anegada to beautiful Bitter End.  Besides all of the great sailing there was plenty of swimming, snorkeling, and of course dancing.  Every anchorage seemed better than the previous one.  Lots of time was spent relaxing on the beach soaking up sunshine and sipping BVI’s famous “Painkiller’s”.  We all ate like kings enjoying fresh seafood in oceanfront restaurants and on the boat.  But I would have to the say the best part was getting to know my crew and the other members of the flotilla, sharing stories, and making new friends.  [Read more →]

Trekking Patagonia

Date: Saturday February 13, 2010
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: OCSC SAILING Clubroom
Details: This special lecture and presentation will feature Howard J Donner, expedition physician, author and guide who just returned from a trek through Patagonia.  He will give you an amazing inside look into this upcoming OCSC Adventure!  Learn about this great opportunity to trek the best of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina with Trek Leader Anthony Sandberg (president & founder OCSC).  Explore the glacier-dotted mountainous interior, unique coastal wildlife and stunning Andean national parks. 
More info and RSVP:  800.223.2984  info@ocsc.com

They continue to have trouble with uncooperative weather in Valencia.  We are so close to seeing these incredible boats compete!

VALENCIA, Spain — Race 1 of the America’s Cup was postponed again Wednesday, this time because of big waves on the Mediterranean Sea.

Racing was called off just before noon Wednesday. The big multihulls, USA and Alinghi 5, didn’t even leave the docks.

Race organizers will try again on Friday to get in the first race of the nautical grudge match between American challenger BMW Oracle Racing and two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland.

Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing are trying to settle their differences on the water after the sailing classic was disrupted by a bitter court fight that lasted 2 1/2 years.

The weather hasn’t cooperated, though.

Read More…

"USA"

Make your plans now to watch the 33rd America’s Cup Challenge in live streaming video beginning February 8th on the BMW ORACLE Website!

BMW ORACLE Racing and its 90-foot trimaran, USA, featuring a towering 68-meter (223 feet) wing sail, will meet the Swiss defender, Alinghi 5, a catamaran, in a first-to-win-two-race Match.  “Race Day” programming kicks off on Monday, February 8, the first scheduled race day of the Match.  Racing in the Deed of Gift Match is scheduled on the 8th, 10th and 12th of February – weather permitting. The first team to win two races is the winner of the 33rd America’s Cup. Races one and three (if necessary) will be a windward - leeward course with 20 mile legs, 40 miles in total.  Race two is a triangle, with 13 mile legs, 39 miles in total.   

7th Annual SAN FRANCISCO OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL

FEBRUARY 3-7, 2010

THEATRE 39 | The Embarcadero and Beach Street, San Francisco

Looking for something fun and interesting to do this week? Check out some of the amazing films being shown at the Ocean Film Festival. This is a great event and a great way to show to support for the individuals and organizations working to protect our oceans!