Countywide : OCC Offers Children Free Sailing Classes

About 200 disadvantaged children from across the county will be able to take free sailing lessons at Orange Coast College, thanks to a $10,000 grant awarded to the college’s sailing center by the state Department of Boating and Waterways in Sacramento.

The sailing program will begin in April and run through August, offering 10 sailing lessons to children between of ages 12 through 16, said Jim Carnett, director of community relations for the college.

This year will mark the fourth year in a row that the OCC Sailing Center in Newport Beach has offered free sailing classes to disadvantaged children, Carnett said.

The children will be chosen from various local shelters and schools, he added.

According to OCC sailing instructor Karen Prioleau, the classes are designed to build confidence in the children while teaching them sailing skills and boating safety.

“Some of the youngsters have never sailed before,” said Prioleau. “It’s an experience that’s radically different from anything they’ve ever done. It changes their lives.”

The OCC Sailing Center is at 1801 W. Coast Highway in Newport Beach.

For more information, call (714) 432-5725.