Hazel Creek Montessori will host an educational sailing program for local teens and families aboard the 48-foot cutter “Blue Pearl” as part of the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District’s summer offerings.
“No other program like it exists on Bainbridge,” said Janice Pedersen, Hazel Creek Montessori owner and director.
“We will be teaching the fundamentals of sailing on a true blue water cruising vessel. This magnificent sailboat was designed by a local marine architect, and provides the kind of opportunity that few are able to experience.”
The vessel will be available for four different modules for sailors of varying ages and experience.
All of the modules are facilitated by a certified United States Coast Guard Master with more than 30 years of experience, a Red Cross certified crew, onboard the Coast Guard-approved training vessel operating out of Eagle Harbor.
“Intro to Sailing,” for ages 16 and up (offered June 8 and 15, July 6 and 13, Aug. 17 and 31 and Sept. 7 and 21), allows students to test the waters in a four-hour introduction to sailing experience as they tack across Elliott Bay from Bainbridge Island to Seattle, gain some preliminary instruction; lend a hand at the helm or grinding a winch, and see how it feels to be afloat on a classic keel boat.
“Intro to Sailing with Sunset Appetizers,” for adults only (offered June 3 and 17, July 8 and 15, Aug. 12 and 26 and Sept. 9 and 23), is a five-hour introduction session, culminating in a tranquil anchorage and sharing hors d’oeuvre and appetizers with your shipmates before a sunset cruise back to homeport.
“Basic Sailing,” for ages 16 and up, is an eight-hour introductory sailing course with a hands-on curriculum which includes learning the parts of the boat, nautical terminology, getting underway and returning to the dock safely, rules of the waterway, safety gear and procedures, tacking, jibing; and basic navigation.
This course is offered on Sundays — June 5 and 26, July 10, Aug. 14 and 28 and Sept. 11 and 25 — and caters to all groups and abilities, including women-only classes, couples, families and adults.
“Intermediate Coastal Cruising,” for adults (offered Aug. 4 and 7 and Sept. 15 and 18), is a multi-day “cruise and learn,” covering the fundamentals of coastal cruising including onboard systems reviews, itinerary planning and weather preparation, tides and currents, picking up and departing a mooring, anchoring, heaving too and reefing. This module is available over long weekends that will involve overnight stays at local destinations around the Sound such as Blake Island, Liberty Bay, Quartermaster Harbor, Gig Harbor, Manzanita Bay, Port Madison and other local favorites.
Visit www.biparks.org/index.htm to learn more.
