Local youth learn the ropes of sailing at annual Sail Camp

By Toni Miles

Several local Long Beach youth have spent the summer tacking sailboats, learning to change direction when sailing upwind or at angle to the wind, and other sailing fundamentals.

It’s all part of the Long Beach Yacht Club’s (LBYC) annual Sail Camp. This year, two sessions were held – one from June 3 to June 14, and the second summer session was held from June 17 to June 28, with Race Week taking place from July 8 through 12. Sail Camps, which run five days each session, were open to local youth ages seven to seventeen, as with each year’s camps.

“This was a great year,” said Sailing Director Tom Lansford. “All of our sessions had full enrollment, and we had strong winds. It was awesome to see the harbor full of sailboats.”

At the helm of this year’s Sail Camps were Head Counselor Ella Lansford and instructors Patrick Clark, Kate Lansford and Johnathan Mate, who worked closely with local youth, teaching them the fundamentals of sailing and other skills. LBYC’s Sail Camps not only teach local youth how to sail. Camp participants also swim, fish and kayak, along with several other special activities during these annual camps.  

The program’s goal is to create a safe, as well as fun, environment in which young people can explore the sport of sailing.