Memorial Day marks the traditional — if not scientific — start of summer. And with summer, comes folks cooling off by jumping in the water.
And if you’re looking for specific water-based programs, Long Beach has you covered.
Long Beach offers a variety of programs that teach swimming, sailing or a combination of various water sports. Most are offered in a day camp format at city facilities, local yacht clubs and scout bases.
The programs are affordable and many offer camperships. For more information on the opportunities listed below, refer to the respective organization’s website for updates.
Aqualand Bay
Aqualand Bay camp is a weeklong fun introduction to waterman skills in Alamitos Bay. It also offers a Surf Camp in Seal Beach.
Activities include swimming, running, paddling, stand up paddling, canoeing, kayaking, Olympic handball, dodgeball, arts & crafts, surfing and boogie boarding.
The camps run from June 20 to Aug. 26, and cost about $140 per session. There are weekly rates, with discounts for multiple weeks. Morning sessions are for those 6 to 15 years olf and run from 8:30 to 11 a.m.; afternoon sessions for those 6 to 9 are from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“If you see a pack of kids serenading passersby, that’s Aqualand taking a paddle through Naples,” Aqualand’s Matty Mitchell said. “We love meeting new kids and cultivating a respect and appreciation for the water, getting them ready for Junior Guards, surf camp and a lifetime of fun and fitness on the beach.”
Details: aqualandofthefree.com or Info@aqualandofthefree.com.
Leeway Sailing and Aquatics Center
Leeway Sailing and Aquatics Center, founded in 1929, is regarded as one of the premier municipal instructional sailing programs in the country.
The center’s mission is to provide a fun, safe aquatic experience, and to teach good sportsmanship and water safety. Along with quality sailing instruction, kayaking and canoeing are also taught. It offers beginning and intermediate sabot classes for children ages 8 and older, including adults.
“We have weekend classes running right now and our summer programs start on June 20,” Aquatics Superintendent Ted Stevens said in an email.
He also reported the center received a $39,000 grant from the state’s Division of Boating and Waterways last year and has invested in some new boats that have been ordered and should arrive soon.
“I enjoy seeing folks we taught how to sail become sailors, owning their own boats and keeping them in the marina,” Leeway’s recreation assistant, Max Jolly, said.
The instructional fleet includes Naples sabots for beginners, as well as six brand new 14-foot Capri boats. Details: 562 570-1719 or (to register) the Long Beach RecConnect website.
Alamitos Bay Yacht Club
Alamitos Bay Yacht Club’s Summer Program is open to young people 8 to 18 years old and regular registration is $1,000 for a four-week session. The club offers single- and double-handed classes, from beginner sailor to advanced racer.
“Participants learn to rig their own sailboat, sail on their own, and eventually participate in a race,” Sailing Director Stephen Long wrote in an email. “They also learn how wind, weather and current work. On days with no wind, there will be beach activities like capture the flag and paddle boarding for the kids to socialize with their new friends. Sailors will learn to sail in Alamitos Bay in ‘Sail Cubes,’ a plastic version of the Optimist.”
Participants do not need to be a member of ABYC to enroll. There are needs-based scholarships available through the Alamitos Bay Sailing Foundation. The program runs Monday to Friday from June 20 to Aug. 12 (no camp on June 24, July 4, July 8 or July 15).
“Cube sailors will graduate to the Optimist or the Naples Sabot (both one-person boats for children younger than 15),” Long said. “Classes will also be offered in the Club Flying Junior (a two-person boat for teens), and the Laser (a one-person boat for teens).”
Details: ABYC.org.
Long Beach Junior Crew
Long Beach Junior Crew has recently announced the return of its summer learn-to-row camps.
Camp takes place at the Pete Archer Rowing Center in Marine Stadium. The camps run from June 13 to Aug. 19, with three sessions per day. Session 1 is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Session 2 is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Session 3 is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Students will learn basic boat handling, water safety, rowing techniques and sportsmanship through practice and competition. The program promotes responsibility, dedication, fitness and perseverance.
LBJC encourages kids ages 11 and up to sign up by filling out the registration packet found at longbeachjuniorcrew.org and emailing lbjcinfo@gmail.com.
Long Beach Sea Scout Base Aquatic Center
The Long Beach Sea Scout Base Aquatic Center on Appian Way, celebrating its 22nd year, will offer a day camp over eight consecutive weeks beginning Monday, June 27. The camp is open to all youth ages 7 to 17. All programs are offered to boys and girls.
The center provides instruction for nearly 40 different merit badges and activities, including beginning and intermediate sailing, waterskiing and wakeboarding, lifesaving, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, deep sea fishing, fly fishing and more. Camp is Monday to Friday, with part-day and full-day formats available.
Details: LongBeachBSA.org/SeaBase.
Girl Scouts Marine Landing
Girl Scouts Marine Landing, also on Appian Way, has a day camp that includes kayaking, canoeing, sailing, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, beach play and observing marine life. The camp is open to all girls in grades K-8. The camp staff is all lifeguard, first aid and CPR certified. The camp runs from June 13 to Aug. 12.
You do not need to be a Girl Scout to register for these summer camps at Marine Landing.
Details: girlscoutsla.org/summercamp.
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