Twenty years ago Boys & Girls Club of Venice launched the Fast and Fun Program to provide access to thousands of under-privileged children to enjoy the coast while learning how to sail, paddle and recreate in Marina del Rey. The kids have come from Boys and Girls Clubs all over Los Angeles County including Pomona Valley, East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Metro Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley and even Long Beach! The goal of the program has remained the same; to get inner city kids out of the Club and onto the water to enjoy the coast using sailing, paddling and beach games.
Peter Douglas, California Coastal Commission Executive Director, who at an event in Marina del Rey celebrating the state’s first ever affordable boat slip agreement for Fairwind Yacht Club (a public access sailing club), took David Lumian aside and advised him to start this youth program. A few years later, Mr. Douglas again approached Lumian about expanding the Fairwind/Boys & Girls Club program to Oxnard, which also continues to this day. We greatly appreciate the role that Mr. Douglas and the California Coastal Commission have played in supporting our sailing and paddling programs.
This ground breaking program expanded 6 years ago with partnering and collaborating with the Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside to launch the Beyond the Walls of the Eastside of LA to get kids access to the water. BGCV began sharing and working closely with BGCWSGV to help get access to additional equipment. The partnership also included the Fairwind Yacht Club, LA County Beaches & Harbor and several help from LA County Supervisors.
The Fast and Fun Program serves approximately 800 youth each year and approximately 11,000 youth since its inception thanks to the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. The youth we serve are some of the most vulnerable youth in the city, subject to gang violence, unstable homes, and extreme poverty. Most of these kids have never been to the beach, let alone Marine del Rey!
Youth who participate in the program are:
Approximately 85% qualify for free/reduced school meals and
Our youth learn safety first and foremost, while learning about water sports as well as STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) curriculum. They also learn about being stewards of the environment. The program uses experiential, hands-on learning to teach youth about paddle sports and sailing so that they can be confident and safe on the water.
Kids are taught to use teamwork, critical thinking, communication and self-esteem to achieve their goals. Through these activities, they set goals, listen to each other and communicate effectively, chart courses, study the wind, learn about velocity, and gain an appreciation for marine life and environmental conservation.
Our Junior Staff are trained to be American Sailing Association and American Canoe Association instructors. As a result many Boys & Girls Club Junior Staff members include their ASA and ACA instructor cards right on top of their college applications and credit these certifications in helping them get into the institutions of their choice.
Sailing has given kids an outlet to experience hope, safety and an outlet for social emotional support when kids have been stuck quarantined. This has been one of the only outdoors sporting activity available for social distancing would allow.
Peter Douglas, California Coastal Commission Executive Director, who at an event in Marina del Rey celebrating the state’s first ever affordable boat slip agreement for Fairwind Yacht Club (a public access sailing club), took David Lumian aside and advised him to start this youth program. A few years later, Mr. Douglas again approached Lumian about expanding the Fairwind/Boys & Girls Club program to Oxnard, which also continues to this day. We greatly appreciate the role that Mr. Douglas and the California Coastal Commission have played in supporting our sailing and paddling programs.
This ground breaking program expanded 6 years ago with partnering and collaborating with the Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside to launch the Beyond the Walls of the Eastside of LA to get kids access to the water. BGCV began sharing and working closely with BGCWSGV to help get access to additional equipment. The partnership also included the Fairwind Yacht Club, LA County Beaches & Harbor and several help from LA County Supervisors.
The Fast and Fun Program serves approximately 800 youth each year and approximately 11,000 youth since its inception thanks to the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. The youth we serve are some of the most vulnerable youth in the city, subject to gang violence, unstable homes, and extreme poverty. Most of these kids have never been to the beach, let alone Marine del Rey!
Youth who participate in the program are:
- 24% of our kids live in public housing
- 27% African American
- 5% Asian American
- 15% Caucasian
- 36% Hispanic
- 10% Multi-Racial
- 6% Other
- 1% Pacific Islander
Approximately 85% qualify for free/reduced school meals and
- 81% report low to extremely low annual incomes based on HUD income limits for LA County.
- 53% are male,
- 47% are female
- and 24% are teens.
Our youth learn safety first and foremost, while learning about water sports as well as STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) curriculum. They also learn about being stewards of the environment. The program uses experiential, hands-on learning to teach youth about paddle sports and sailing so that they can be confident and safe on the water.
Kids are taught to use teamwork, critical thinking, communication and self-esteem to achieve their goals. Through these activities, they set goals, listen to each other and communicate effectively, chart courses, study the wind, learn about velocity, and gain an appreciation for marine life and environmental conservation.
Our Junior Staff are trained to be American Sailing Association and American Canoe Association instructors. As a result many Boys & Girls Club Junior Staff members include their ASA and ACA instructor cards right on top of their college applications and credit these certifications in helping them get into the institutions of their choice.
Sailing has given kids an outlet to experience hope, safety and an outlet for social emotional support when kids have been stuck quarantined. This has been one of the only outdoors sporting activity available for social distancing would allow.
THANK YOU!
Fast and Fun Sailing is supported, in part, by generous contributions from the following
individuals and companies:
Gold Coast Village, LLC, Linyan Management LLC, Marina del Rey Lessees Association, Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation, and Peter Parros.
Additional Support Provided by:
Harvey Chao, Dave Lumian, Patricia Younis, and Marina City Club.
Sailing Partners:
Tony P's Dockside Grill
Whole Foods
individuals and companies:
Gold Coast Village, LLC, Linyan Management LLC, Marina del Rey Lessees Association, Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation, and Peter Parros.
Additional Support Provided by:
Harvey Chao, Dave Lumian, Patricia Younis, and Marina City Club.
Sailing Partners:
Tony P's Dockside Grill
Whole Foods
