Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation, (PYSF), is a non-profit 501c (3) that was formed in the year 2000. The primary mission of PYSF is to coach, teach and nurture youth sailors in the Bay Area. From its inception, PYSF has been dependent on the support of volunteers and donations. Donations of cash and or boating equipment are tax deductible to the extent of the law. PYSF makes no valuations or appraisals and recommends that the donor seek independent legal or tax advice respecting the deductibility. All donations support youth programs sponsored by PYSF.
PYSF is located in Redwood City at the Port of Redwood City and is affiliated with Sequoia Yacht Club. Any youth that is committed and interested in sailing can belong to PYSF. Scholarships are available to sailors who are unable to afford the tuition or regatta fees.
PYSF offers “Learn to sail” classes for youths 7-18, a competitive high school sailing team, an Optimist team for younger sailors and quality coaching for all sailors. The only paid staff member at PYSF is the sailing coach. Volunteers provide a variety of duties from on the water help, to administrative and organizational duties. Volunteers and donations enable PYSF to offer the program to all youths at a reasonable cost. Donors can be assured that the administrative costs of the program are minimal with a high percentage going directly to sailors and programs.
PYSF is proud to have a competitive high school team. Early on the high school team was ecstatic to finish mid fleet at PCISA regattas, but in recent years the team has improved and placed in the top ten of California. This can be attributed to the efforts of volunteers, quality coaching, and growing team enthusiasm. As time goes on the high school team has grown and now numbers approximately 25-30 committed members. The Optimist team of younger sailors is growing and starting to compete in the Bay Area.
The Port of Redwood City provides storage space and PYSF has its own equipment. When the foundation was formed, parents donated a fleet of ten Flying Juniors. In subsequent years the club has been fortunate to be the recipient of boat donations including V-15s, Lasers, 29ers, chase boats, and outboard engines. These boat donations have allowed the club to grow and offer more sailing experiences to youth.
The biggest challenge that PYSF faces is ongoing maintenance, gas costs, equipment replacement, and coaching costs. The teams practice weekly which is wearing on boats. A sailing scholarship that covers the cost of one sailor is approximately $1,000 a year. These rising costs have made it imperative for the foundation to look to parents and the sailing community for donations.
If you have any questions or would like to donate to PYSF, please contact the foundation president, Eric Anderson at 650-224-2488.