Our organizations goal is to support young sailors from Redondo Beach on the South to Westlake Village on the north. Any young person that wishes to learn to sail or advance their skills or compete is encouraged to request a grant from SMBSF. Our goal is that no young person is unable to sail because of a lack of funds. SMBSF is 100% volunteers with no paid employees or staff of any kind. We accept gifts of good used marine equipment as well as cash so we can support youth sailing. Our Grants are made available to all youth in our qualifying areas regardless of there economic status or membership in any organization.
Santa Monica Bay Sailing has provided scholarships to sail at Del Rey Yacht Club. This has been a great experience for me because I have learned many new sailing skills. Over the years I have progressed with my sailing abilities from Sabots to Optis and now I am now sailing FJs. During the summer program, I learned a lot of new sailing techniques. This summer we mainly worked on racing skills. In the beginning, I wasn't keeping up with the group because I just came out of green fleet Optis but now my skills have really improved. My coach, Ben Spector, was by far my favorite coach. He taught me how to roll tack and how to start on the line correctly and the list goes on and on. I have learned a lot.
I think that sailing has really affected my life in a positive way and I know that I will be sailing for a very long time. It is a very interesting sport that forces you to be discipline and focused. I think sailing raised my self-esteem and my self-confidence. Sailing allows me to challenge myself and my sailing abilities every time I am out on the water. I really believe that sailing has forever changed my life. Thanks to SMBSF for making this possible.
Aaron C