Ocsc Sailing

I’ve been w/​OCSC for about 3 or 4 years now, beginning with basic keelboat up through their US Sailing bareboat certification. I’d sailed as a kid, and had been in a few pretty dangerous situations that I thought as an adult, I really wanted to learn how to sail. The instruction all the way through has been outstanding.
The other day, I had a private lesson from Captain Ray. I have to admit, I was a little nervous & intimidated. It was fine, we worked on jibes in heavy winds and I was totally confident about sailing the heavy winds of the Bay. He was great, I learned a ton!
All of the instructors have been great — Trevor, Eric, Rick. So glad I did this & I’ve met some fellow sailors too.
Thanks for making me a safe sailor as I venture into boat ownership…

Ocsc has been a fantastic experience for me… And I use a fraction of what the club offers. I took keelboat and cruising class. Instruction has been phenomenal. Boats are always in good condition. This is a great place for a lifelong growth of sailing skills and experiences

I’ve been on a sailboat on the San Francisco Bay a lot in the past year, but have had very little to do with the actual sailing part. Let’s just say my hands were usually full with bottles of champagne. So, to cure my ineptitude, my sailor of a husband gifted me with the Basic Keelboat Package.
My first impression with OCSC was great: I was sent a welcome package, complete with a binder full of study materials and a full-​print Basic Keelboat manual. When I called in to book my sessions, the staff were extremely friendly and informative. The follow-​up email confirming my classes helped out a lot, too, in letting me know what to expect, what to bring, etc.
My second impression with OCSC was okay: the weather was absolutely horrible the first weekend of my sessions, which put a damper on the experience. I understand that learning to sail in all conditions is important, and learning to sail in bad weather can make you a better sailor, but the high winds and rough seas and rain made learning something new that much more difficult and stressful. I left that first weekend of lessons lacking confidence and doubting whether I really enjoyed sailing all that much.
My third and final impression of OCSC was fantastic: the second weekend of lessons went a lot better. The instructor, fellow students, and conditions made an overall better experience. It was also nice to have three students on board; we rotated so that one person would be in the companionway while the other two worked together, allowing that third person more time to observe everything in action, and, if needed, have time to rest. We sailed a full day on Saturday, all of Sunday morning, and stuck to the classroom Sunday afternoon to go over the whiteboard part of learning.
Overall, I learned a lot, walked out of OCSC feeling confident with the skill set I built, have a better understanding of it all, and now know that I actually do enjoy sailing. I also really like the environment that OCSC provided — it was so diverse, full of people from all walks of life brought together by one common interest. Everyone was kind — students, instructors, and staff included — which made everything that much better.

I took a sailing course at OCSC and really had a great time. I learned to much about sailing. The teachers obviously love the sport and are very patient with their students. When you go out on the bay you have one teacher and only one to two other students in the boat with you. It is really hands on and a great place to take a class. It was well worth it. I really enjoyed all my classes and hands on experience. Thank you!

After a year of planning and anticipation, traveling to Peru with Anthony Sandberg and our group of Trekkers was an amazing, life changing experience. The trip of 13 days consisted of fabulous lodges, scrumptious meals, warm hospitality, and professional, knowledgeable guides. Anthony who graciously maneuvered our group through some unplanned logistical challenges did it with first class knowledge.
We strongly recommend not only OCSC for being the very best sailing school/​club in the Bay Area, but if your ever given the opportunity to travel with Anthony and or OCSC we highly recommend it.
We are looking forward to our next adventure soon.

You don’t have to look too hard to find great reviews of the OCSC sailing school. Their programs and instructors are top-​notch — all honed by decades of experience, student feedback and the development of checklists for safe sailing in boats of all sizes, in all conditions, cruising or racing, on the bay and far offshore. Also as tune-​ups for bare-​boating.
If you are looking for an adventure — on a boat or ashore — check out the opportunities they provide for travel vacations to all parts of the world. My wife and I just returned from their Peru 2015 Vacation tour starting in Cusco then trekking five days in the Lares Valley and finishing up with two days in Aguas Callientes aka Machu Picchu town. Our guides (three to provide options each day) were well versed, experienced and always working — always — to ensure a great experience. The highlights for us were the face-​to-​face time with kids and farmers in the Andes Mountains then of course the hike up Huayna Picchu.
This was a well planned trip from pre-​check lists to final departure back to the states (or in our case on to Puerto Maldonado for five days in the jungle). Why the five stars ?
The trip was billed as adventure trekking with options for cultural experiences. Working with Mountain Lodges of Peru the OCSC team arranged for 2 – 3 options per day of strenuous hiking or interesting cultural experiences in the Lares Valley. Some days we had both — trekking in the morning with visits to Peruvian villages in the afternoons.
The logistics were well planned out in advance. Even during a two-​day strike to protest possible privatization of national treasures such as Machu Picchu options appeared that worked us around the trouble spots and actually lead to an even more interesting experience than had been planned on of the days.
The food was local, tasty, varied and served up in style. Lunch ranged from sit-​down on the trail to hot meals on the mountain top to sit down in the lodge. Breakfast was always unlimited buffet plus custom-​cooked sides. Dinners were each a variety of local foods, outstanding tastes and art-​like presentation.
The small mountain lodges were joint ventures between Mountain Lodges of Peru plus the local villages. Profits shared, jobs created, very eco-​friendly and smiles all around. Non-​invasive tourism at its best. A real double-​down on the cultural experiences that were highlighted each day.
We talked with others in our group about previous OCSC adventures — on land and water. All good reports. OCSC works with top-​rated companies then adds options and enhances all aspects of the adventures.
So, this was an easy five-​star rating. We suggest you sign up for the weekly newsletters to stay posted on whats new at OCSC and keep abreast of upcoming adventure options around the world as well as on SF Bay. Then attend the planning parties to meet others and get briefed on the next OCSC adventure.

Yesterday I returned from an adventure trip to Peru with a group from OCSC and our amazing leader, Anthony Sandberg, OCSC founder and CEO. What an experience! Every detail was planned and executed flawlessly, and even with 16 people in the group, there was absolutely nothing not to love completely for the entire 2 week span.
All accommodations were 4 – 5 star properties, food for every meal was copious and delicious (some of it actually memorable for years into the future), and the tours of ancient sights guided by staff of the Mountain Lodges of Peru organization were very carefully selected so as to offer a great deal of variety among relevant present-​day information about the culture with which we were becoming acquainted, the fascinating Incan and pre-​Incan history that surrounded all of us both in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and physical challenges in the many opportunities for trekking in some of the most exquisite terrain to be seen on this planet. In addition, outstanding options were available for focus apart from the tours if some extra daily meditation, unstructured time or shopping would be needed.
The value for this tour was truly unbelievable. If I could I’d sign up for all the future tours that are planned to other continents and locales!

I have just returned from a trip to Peru that was organized and executed by my friends at OCSC. I’m older than dirt, so I’ve been on a lot of vacations. This was the best ever!
If you want to go lie on the beach at a Four Seasons somewhere and read a book, OCSC’s trips are not for you. But if you like to do stuff, experience the culture of a country, get an education, challenge yourself physically, enjoy great company, eat really well, and stay at really nice places with impeccable service, OCSC’s trips are the best. Anthony Sandberg loves to travel, and he loves to travel in style with his ever-​widening circle of friends. I cannot wait to go on my next trip with him.

I’ve been sailing with OCSC for about four years, taking entry level through Bareboat Cruising classes, and finally needed to write a review because this place is so absolutely fantastic. Without a doubt, OCSC provides the absolute best, most thoughtful way to learn to sail here in the Bay Area. The cadence of classes and their ability to teach and build upon complex concepts is astounding.
This recently hit home for me when I skippered a month long charter in the Greek Islands, sailing in completely unfamiliar territory and conditions. The navigation was more challenging that anything I’d experienced before, but more than that, prepping for differences in the Mediterranean such as Med Mooring, and the big winds and swell, were imperative. I often found myself in situations I’d never been in before, needing to critically think through how to get out of them safely and with some grace.
I couldn’t believe how well prepared I felt given the classes I’d taken through OCSC. Given the knowledge base that I acquired through taking these classes, I 100% of the time felt comfortable and in control. It was pretty incredible and a huge testament to the quality of OCSCs programs.
Any school can claim to teach you how to sail, but there is a huge difference between being exposed to the concepts, and completely comprehending and learning to work with these ideas. OCSC excels at this, and more. I could not recommend them more highly.

I have sailed out of OCSC many times on charters. My friends have taken many classes there. I loved their boats and the fun I had. Whether you want to sharpen your skills with a class or have fun renting a boat OCSC is the best option in the Bay Area by far.
Another point in their favor is that they care more for their customers than their bottom line.

Learning Basic Keelboat wasn’t easy for this land creature, but it turned out to be great fun with OCSC! Though in recent years I’ve been farming, I am a water baby at heart… being on the water feels like total freedom.
At OCSC, each of the instructors has a very different way of teaching, and yet they’re consistent in the curriculum and the tasks. As challenging as that can be, it was really helpful because broader perspectives allow for greater education/​learning in Basic Keelboat. More importantly, every teacher is very relaxed and attentive, which helps instill confidence in sailing students. This was an empowering experience for me, and honestly, you couldn’t ask for a more perfect environment to learn in. I loved it!
There is really only one way to learn to sail… hands on, in the water, with OCSC.

I had some trepidation about taking the Basic Keelboat course at OCSC. Besides a few times sailing on a friend’s boat in Lake Michigan over 25 years ago, I’d never taken a sailing course before and had virtually no knowledge of the vocabulary and mechanics of a sailboat. It felt like returning to kindergarten at first: learning to tie a slew of new knots, the confounding names of things on a boat, and the seemingly complex dynamics of the relationship of the boat to the wind and water. Not to mention the wild conditions often found at the Berkeley waterfront due to it’s location directly across the narrow gap known as the Golden Gate. It was difficult, physically and mentally exhausting and even overwhelming at times. After the first day, I was so tired, sore and dispirited, I was tempted to give up.
I’m so glad I stuck with it. By day 3 I was totally hooked. Once it started getting fun, it was exhilarating. By the end of the week, I felt like I had tackled an insurmountable goal, overcome some fears and uncertainties, learned new skills, met authentic people, and had an amazing and memorable experience.
I thought previously that I had an abiding appreciation of living in Berkeley near the bay, watching the ever-​changing views, weather, wildlife, sunsets, moonrises, and never tiring of it. Yet, sailing brings new senses of perception on-​line and reveals the bay in a new and vibrant light.
The instructors I had for Basic Keelboat were vastly knowledgable and experienced sailors but also patient, kind and competent teachers. Both instructors over-​delivered in providing a fun and engaging learning environment and a penchant for sharing their love for the sport.
Included in the course fee, students have 60 days to take as many «reviews» on the water with an OCSC instructor as necessary to master the course objectives and pass the US Sailing certification for their level. Each review I’ve taken has added some crucial nuance or key insight that has served to strengthen my skills, understanding and confidence.
The entire experience at OCSC, from registration and ongoing support from office staff, to attentive vessel maintenance personnel, and enthusiastic student sailors and fellow crew has been great so far.

We came to get a taste of sailing through their intro course — What fun!!! We got to sail around the Bay and an introduction to using a sailing ship. Our skipper was knowledgeable, patient and encouraging. (Thanks Ted!)

I actually came here for a meeting and the OCSC very graciously opened their doors to our group. Actually, this is the second time that I’ve been here for a meeting. Both times the meeting rooms were lovely and perfect for what I needed. Also — FREE PARKING with views to die for. Thank you!

Top-​notch school.
I’ve got, perhaps, a slightly oblique view of the instruction here. I spent a good part of my life first as a flight instructor, and later as an airline transport pilot and training captain. I’m a total newbie to sailing, but I’m pretty discerning when it comes to quality of instruction.
The OCSC instructors I’ve met have been friendly, clear, concise and very good at what they do. They know how to introduce radically new topics (for most newbies like me), explain them clearly, translate classroom work to real work on the boat, and gently ratchet up expectations without making you feel like, well, a newbie.
The lessons build on each other in a logical way, increasing competence and confidence as you go along… and there’s enough hands-​on time that you’ll be amazed at how fast you catch on.
They maintain a pretty strict segregation between instruction and pitching courses. Frankly, I didn’t once feel I was being sold anything. Instructors NEVER try to sell courses (and make a point of that), and I never felt like I was getting a sales job by anyone. First time I walked in, I got a nice walk-​through of the school, their fleet, and their philosophy… and not a single moment of sales pressure. Nice.
The people I’ve met here, students, staff and instructors alike, have been awesome. Genuinely friendly, diverse, and eager to impart and gain knowledge. The boats are well maintained… and, the SF Bay (just like SF airspace) is a really awesome classroom.
I told my flight students, «If you are comfortable flying here, you’re going to have a huge advantage flying anywhere else in your life.» Same goes for our waters. You’re going to be challenged, and maybe it will take a little longer to obtain the same certifications… but if you do it here, you’ve got a nice head start.
Very happy to be training here.

This is one of the older institutions where sailing was reinvented for the commoner. It’s a great school and location especially for hosting non-​profit events. Try a lesson for team building and then reward yourselves with BBQ. The rates for renting boats is reasonable from $ 40 — $ 250.
Service is friendly, helpful and instructive. Parking is ample on the street and in the nearby lots.

Becoming a skipper at OCSC was the best learning experience I have had in a long time. I had sailed quite a bit and friends of mine recommended OCSC to take sailing to the next level. The Basic Keelboat class included short lectures with J24 models and fans to learn the points of sale and then an hour later we were out on the water putting the theory into practice immediately.
The Basic Cruising or ‘skipper course for the J24’s comes with as many reviews as you need to master the skills (free for 3 months and scheduling was never a problem) that will not only give you the skill to maneuver in the marinas and in the SF Bay, but also the skills to instruct inexperienced crew to help you.
I was taught by at least 7 instructors and learned something valuable from each one. I also enjoyed the people I met in the classes and reviews. Sailing draws great crowd of people to socialize with. If you have any interest in learning to sail. do it with OCSC!

Nothing but five stars. Friendly staff and insructor. Took an intro course, two hr sail out into the bay on a November afternoon that was warm enough, blue sky after raining the day before. They provide storm pants and jackets and vests.
eric was a great captain.

I got my husband the intro to sailing class as a gift after he told me he wanted to learn how to sail. A lot of places I looked into cost and arm and a leg for an intro class and I didn’t want to pay a lot just to get a feel for sailing. Luckily I found OCSC! Their intro class was $ 30/​person (no Groupon for me) and we spent two fun filled hours on the bay. Our instructor, Jeff, allowed us to lower and pack the sails as well as steer. We also learned a few sailing terms such as «luffing» and «tacking». He was great, really chill and sailing with him was like sailing with an old friend.
It’s obvious that everyone at OCSC is passionate about sailing and is really friendly to boot. If it wasn’t such an expensive hobby to take up, I’d definitely take more classes here! Highly highly recommend.

I too have to add to the rave reviews of Olympic Circle Sailing Club (OCSC) as I promised to take some clients and family out on the bay for a half day charter and OCSC really came through for me.
I called and reserved the Catalina 36 and a skipper for a half day and called back and confirmed my reservation. I arrived early and the skipper from the club (an instructor) had the boat all ready to go. The only difficulty was finding a place to park and it appeared to be a hull fest all over the property (boats out of the water being worked on) with a sailing school hidden behind them! One of the members said I could park in front of their car on the property as I did not want me and my guest having to hike from one of the marina parking lots. The staff was very helpful and had us each sign a «hold harmless» waiver that also asked if we had any physical limitations. Once that was out of the way we were offered a personal floatation device (or pfd) and the option of club provided foul weather gear which was not needed since the winters on the bay are nothing like the summers.
Since the winds were very light we did not get too far out to Angel Island or any other notable landmarks, but everyone had a great time and the club skipper was great at offering some light instruction staring with getting on the boat properly.
We all had a wonderful time on the bay and I would highly recommend chartering a skippered boat from OCSC if you feel the need to get out on the bay for a day and like me do not have time to join a club or to get a basic keel boat certification.
I did call around and found OCSC better prepared than JWorld and a couple of other places to charter a skippered boat in the slow winter season.