Sailing Spotlight on Cameron MacLaren

NEWPORT BEACH — With summer only a few weeks away now is the time to plan how to spend those warm school-free days and Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club has the perfect solution. The Junior Mariners class is Bahia Corinthian YC’s newest program open to members and non-member children from 10-17 years of age.

The Log spoke with Bahia Corinthian YC’s Sailing Director Cameron MacLaren to find out more about the course that is geared towards junior sailors who are interested in the lifestyle of a mariner beyond racing. Course curriculum will include destination sailing, navigation and orienteering, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, model boat building, knot-tying, splicing, powerboat handling, STEM education and more.

What is the Junior Mariners Program?

Over the course of my career in youth sailing, I’ve recognized a need for programming outside the realm of competition. There are lots of kids who simply don’t want to race, but rather focus on the variety of different aspects of seamanship. There are also kids who are looking to get into sailing at an older age, but aren’t thrilled about the idea of joining the Novice class with 8-9 year olds. The Junior Mariners class provides an avenue for these kids to enjoy the benefits of this lifelong sport.

The class offers a multitude of activities centered around the skills and lifestyle of a waterman. They have access to several different sailboats, including both dinghies and keelboats, as well as kayaks and powerboats. Instructors also incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education where kids explore the concepts from on the water in a classroom setting, such as buoyancy experiments. There are also several planned field trips to places such as the Back Bay Science Center and the Nautical Museum.

What sets this program apart from other sailing programs?

This program is unique among yacht club programming in its recreational, all-inclusive, non-competitive approach to sailing. Although some other clubs offer a non-racing class, the broad curriculum and variety of activities included in the Junior Mariners class at Bahia Corinthian YC can’t be found elsewhere in Newport Beach.

Kids should join our program if they are looking for a way to spend time on the in a variety of different ways.  If they are interested in learning the myriad skills befitting the maritime lifestyle, Bahia Corinthian YC is the place to be!

The Junior Mariner Program runs noon-5 p.m., June 27 – Aug. 5. The Log readers can take advantage of the early registration price (a $50 saving on registration) simply by listing “The Log” as a referral on the registration form. For more information call 949-640-2402, visit bcyc.org or email cameronm@bcyc.org.