Through Afterguard Sailing Adventures Youth Academy

Afterguard Sailing Adventures Youth Academy began offering nonprofit educational sailing programs in 2003. By 2006, we became an official Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) provider, offering off-campus Math and Science enhancement through sailing for 9th to 11th grade students. These 32-week courses include PE credit and, for a select number of students, a Community Service and first-job training pathway.

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Since 2006, Afterguard has partnered with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to offer for-credit sailing courses during the school year. These weekly 2–4 hour sessions are based on our core curriculum designed to support learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, plus Physical Education disciplines. Sailing also contributes to safety in learning to be spacially aware of their surroundings and others in it. To be Environmentally aware of the tides, currents, weather, sea animals, what harm humans are doing to the waters that surround us.  To be a participant in operations of a boat means they learn team work and leadership. Also respect for leadership in that the leader keeps them safe. Then there is the beauty that surrounds them is inspiring to the artist, photographer and those who hear the music of the seaway. Over a full semester or trimester, students have earned academic credit while gaining valuable skills on and off the water.

 

Students who continue beyond the basics can progress through ASA-certified courses, which are recognized and college-accredited in seven states. We continue to partner with home school groups, small and charter High Schools. ​

 

Program Design and Leadership

Afterguard owner Mary Swift Swan brings extensive experience in developing ASA and scholastic sailing programs. She has created custom programs for:

 

• Mills College

• Cal State Monterey Bay

• Oakland International High School

• Amillio Zapata Street Academy of Oakland

• Arise High School

• Sea Scouts

• Boys and Girls Club

• Oakland Parks & Recreation

 

Programs range in length from single-day sailing experience on San Francisco Bay waterways to 1 week workshops to full 32-week year-long formats, depending on the school or group’s needs.