2008 Woodie Awards
Sailing program survives through rough waters
Yekaterina Barilov
Issue date: 6/19/06 Section: Sports
Monday, June 19, 2006
The De Anza College Sailing Program has been steadily graining popularity and members since its first class in 1997.
This is ultimately the result of a sabbatical leave project by De Anza's Physical Education instructor and Men's Tennis Coach, Capt. Charles Dougherty.
As a condition of his sabbatical, new P.E classes were to be added. Dougherty researched and developed the curriculum for De Anza's sailing courses.
But many problems and complications have plagued the program's development.
Dougherty refers to it as his lemonade program, saying simply "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
Finding a suitable location for the courses was the first problem. Because they had their own existing sailing programs, Shoreline and Redwood City were not willing to accommodate De Anza's classes.
The program was in danger of not being started until Dougherty met a Santa Clara County Park Ranger at Lexington Reservoir who encouraged him to apply for a permit to hold the classes there.
At his own expense, Dougherty bought several used sailboats, obtained the permits and insurance coverage, and with the help of Chris May, another De Anza PE instructor, he taught the first De Anza sailing class in 1997.
To help pay for operating costs, the program was open to the public and youth summer sailing camps.
Now Dougherty operates the program as a private enterprise as an independent contractor at Vasona Lake for the Santa Clara County.
The program is adding high school teams and youth junior sailing.
Besides the PE classes, a new sailing club has been organized with more than 40 members. From the club, teams are selected to represent De Anza in the Regatta. Cory Brill is the club president and Steve Tong is vice president.
New students and club members are always welcome.
The only motor-powered boats allowed on the lake are those used by instructors as rescue or safety boats to help teach and provide supervison on the lake. The rest are the students' sailboats, pedal-boats and kayaks.
The Boat Center is open weekends 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and summer weekdays 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. from June 26 to Labor Day at Vasona Park. It is open to the public.
Besides the Regatta on June 17, the Sailing Club is holding a "Sail San Francisco Bay" on Sunday, June 25.
For the sail, the Club will charter a 45-foot, $500,000 dollar yacht from a sailing club in Alameda. It will take the members under the Bay Bridge, around Alcatraz Island and along the San Francisco waterfront. The cost of the yacht will be evenly divided between the members. New members are also invited.
Summer sailing classes are being offered at the beginner and intermediate levels as PE 63A and PE 63B, which satisfy the general A.A. PE requirement. Registration and enrollment are limited so early sign up is necessary. Classes are held on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at Vasona Park.
The De Anza College Sailing Program has been steadily graining popularity and members since its first class in 1997.
This is ultimately the result of a sabbatical leave project by De Anza's Physical Education instructor and Men's Tennis Coach, Capt. Charles Dougherty.
As a condition of his sabbatical, new P.E classes were to be added. Dougherty researched and developed the curriculum for De Anza's sailing courses.
But many problems and complications have plagued the program's development.
Dougherty refers to it as his lemonade program, saying simply "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
Finding a suitable location for the courses was the first problem. Because they had their own existing sailing programs, Shoreline and Redwood City were not willing to accommodate De Anza's classes.
The program was in danger of not being started until Dougherty met a Santa Clara County Park Ranger at Lexington Reservoir who encouraged him to apply for a permit to hold the classes there.
At his own expense, Dougherty bought several used sailboats, obtained the permits and insurance coverage, and with the help of Chris May, another De Anza PE instructor, he taught the first De Anza sailing class in 1997.
To help pay for operating costs, the program was open to the public and youth summer sailing camps.
Now Dougherty operates the program as a private enterprise as an independent contractor at Vasona Lake for the Santa Clara County.
The program is adding high school teams and youth junior sailing.
Besides the PE classes, a new sailing club has been organized with more than 40 members. From the club, teams are selected to represent De Anza in the Regatta. Cory Brill is the club president and Steve Tong is vice president.
New students and club members are always welcome.
The only motor-powered boats allowed on the lake are those used by instructors as rescue or safety boats to help teach and provide supervison on the lake. The rest are the students' sailboats, pedal-boats and kayaks.
The Boat Center is open weekends 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and summer weekdays 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. from June 26 to Labor Day at Vasona Park. It is open to the public.
Besides the Regatta on June 17, the Sailing Club is holding a "Sail San Francisco Bay" on Sunday, June 25.
For the sail, the Club will charter a 45-foot, $500,000 dollar yacht from a sailing club in Alameda. It will take the members under the Bay Bridge, around Alcatraz Island and along the San Francisco waterfront. The cost of the yacht will be evenly divided between the members. New members are also invited.
Summer sailing classes are being offered at the beginner and intermediate levels as PE 63A and PE 63B, which satisfy the general A.A. PE requirement. Registration and enrollment are limited so early sign up is necessary. Classes are held on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at Vasona Park.
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