Treasure Island Sailing Center Tacks on the Shift

Sometimes, you have to take a step backward to take two steps forward. The directors of the Treasure Island Sailing Center (TISC) have decided to take a pause for the next two to three years while TISC’s base on the SE corner of Treasure Island is under construction. As they explain on their website, “Major earth-moving and construction projects will soon cover TISC’s existing footprint and block access to the water.”

The program has operated in Clipper Cove for 26 years, during which time they have served 26,000 sailors, including more than 14,000 students, through their flagship Set Sail Learn program with the San Francisco schools. Beyond their sailing programs, TISC had an active dry storage yard, which was home to the Cal Berkeley sailing team and the competitive Vanguard 15 fleet. During the shutdown, both have had to move. Cal Sailing is heading to the Richmond Yacht Club. The Vanguard 15 fleet has received an offer to base themselves out of Alameda Community Sailing Center (ACSC) for which they are “very grateful,” but they are “still figuring out what makes the most sense for the fleet and haven’t decided yet where we’ll be relocating,” Sam Wheeler commented below. “ACSC is one of the options on the table, and we hope to make that decision in the coming weeks.”

Treasure Island Sailing Center is looking to continue hosting the Set Sail Learn program for schools at a location yet to be determined.

By moving off the property, the hope is the current site reconstruction can proceed with less interruption, and TISC will be in a much better position to return to its long-term vision of creating a modern, first-class community sailing facility on the shores of Treasure Island. The site has already proven to be an excellent dinghy sailing venue for teaching and training, which, combined with their 66-year lease and well-developed programming and relationships with the San Francisco school system, will give them a solid foundation to build upon. Once the construction on land is complete they’ll have much better access to build the shoreside and waterfront facilities necessary to resume programs.

Clipper Cove is a unique venue appreciated by dinghy sailors, cruisers and members of the active Treasure Island Yacht Club. We’ve enjoyed anchoring there and were fortunate to host several Summer Sailstice celebrations in conjunction with Treasure Island Sailing Center.

While TISC is taking a break, the team will continue to develop plans and raise funds for rebuilding docks and facilities so they can return stronger and continue their core mission: “To create opportunities for people to learn and grow through sailing by providing facilities, sailing instruction, and access to the water for people of all socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, and skill levels.”