Bob Koll Sailing Foundation
Finding your direction through sailing
About The Bob Koll Sailing FoundationThe Bob Koll Sailing Foundation is about bringing the magic and wonder of sailing to people who wouldn’t have the opportunity to sail otherwise. When an 8-year-old girl learns that she can skipper a boat, when a blind man can adjust the sheet without the aid of sight, and when a man with one arm grinds away as if he had the strength of both arms—something magical happens inside. For some it is the birth of confidence; for others it is the birth of courage. By empowering people today, the Bob Koll Sailing Foundation prepares participants for success tomorrow. Our services are supported by donations and grants and all our sails are absolutly free. Our instructors are passionate about sailing and eager to share their knowledge with others. We teach all aspects of big boat sailing including sail-trim, the physics of sailing, navigation and racing. Our sailing educators include licensed captains, university professors, graduate students and highly skilled professionals. If you interested in joining our dedicated group of volunteers, please contact us at info@bobkollsailing.org. We invest in people of all backgrounds and ages through education. Bob Koll Sailing Foundation is a non-profit 501C3 organization.
Why Teach Sailing and Create a Sailing Foundation?Sailing is a lesson in teamwork, discipline and trust. It leads to increased skills in communication, self-reliance, leadership and confidence that prepare young people for future success. We seek to bring adults and teens together to build relationships by creating exciting common experiences. The foundation recognizes the power of mentoring young people. Active adult involvement has a clear, positive impact on young lives. "BLACKSILVER" - Our world-class sailing yacht!
Blacksilver, our program flagship vessel was designed by world-renowned
naval architect Bruce Farr of Bruce Farr Design. Built in 1986 and extensively
refitted in the 1990s, she is an ideal vessel for an educational sailing program.
Some of her key features are:
What we teach through SailingSailing requires personal responsibility. "That's not my job," is not a phrase heard on board sailing vessels. Captains, skippers and crew alike work together to "make the boat go." Time spent sailing is time spent learning life skills. Our experienced and knowledgeable sailing educators foster meaningful experiences which promote leadership and responsibility. Our LocationThe Bob Koll Sailing Foundation is located in Long Beach, California. The climate provides sunshine and breeze much of the year. The local waters are calm, and the shoreline provides a magnificent backdrop for a leisurely afternoon cruise. Long Beach is a great place to begin an adventure to many Southern California locations including Catalina and the Channel Islands. Blacksilver, our program vessel, is docked at the Southern California Marine Institute. Click here for directions to Blacksilver and map. Foundation's Board Members and VolunteersThe members of the Board of Directors, Programming Board, Fundraising Board and other volunteers of the Bob Koll Sailing Foundation are a diverse group of individuals with one goal in common. We seek to make big boat sailing accessible to youth and underserved populations. For more information about the various boards or to contact us, visit our Volunteer page and/or our Contacts page.
Mankind has attempted to tame the seas since the beginning of time. One of the
most successful methods was through sailing. Harnessing the wind to propel a
small vessel across the waters turned oceans from roadblocks into roads. Even
though modern engines have superseded sails in most cases,sailing remains
the most fuel efficient, ecologically sound, and "pure" method of traversing the
seas. Today, millions of people enjoy the beauty of sailing, it has become a
multi-million dollar sport, a lifelong hobby, and a favorite pastime of many.
Some start sailing young, some start when older, others set their foot on a sailing
vessel only when they are seniors. But they all walk away with the same
meaningful experience: Sailing is wonderful for the body and spirit.
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