Almost two years ago, I wrote a blog post for LAFPI about sailing as a metaphor for playwriting.
Metaphor became reality as I found a bunch of women’s sailing organizations and got on boats. So now, I hope unite two of my passions—sailing and playwriting. Yes women playwrights, let’s take to the seas, and. . . .(okay haven’t thought that far ahead yet).
First of all, if you want to learn to sail, I highly recommend the UCLA Marine Aquatic Center. You don’t have to be a UCLA student to take sailing classes there. In fact, the majority of students in my Capri 14 class were adults in their thirties.
My sailing instructor at UCLA told me about the Women’s Sailing Association (or WSA). It’s a sailing club dedicated to women’s sailing (although men can join too). They sponsor day sails and cruises. They can even get you into racing.
Before I knew it, I was going out on day sails, starting regattas, and dancing in a pink wig on the bow of a catamaran in the Christmas parade (theatre on the water). Because of WSA, I’ve met a lot of great sailors who were generous with their time and boats and willing to teach me sailing. Also the stories are awesome.
There’s also Sea Gals down in Long Beach. Sea Gals was created to get more women out sailing. On a Saturday or Sunday, you get to sail a Catalina 37, a large race boat. You go out with an all-women crew. It’s a super supportive environment, and there’s no yelling. The boats stay in Long Beach Harbor, so there are no rolling waves.
So if you’re thinking, gosh, I’ve always wanted to sail, but I don’t know how to go about it. Or if you’ve been sailing and nobody told you how a boat works. Or if you just want to try something different, check out these organizations. Here are their websites:
Women’s Sailing Association – Santa Monica Bay
And that’s the end of my blog week. As always, it’s been a delight.
