Volunteer

Volunteering Opportunities with BAADS

The Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors is a dynamic all-volunteer sailing organization, with a fast yet safe fleet of colorful small boats and sleek keelboats. If you enjoy helping others while learning new and challenging skills, we are always looking for dedicated volunteers. We need people of all ages who are eager to pitch in and help in numerous ways – from dock, sailboat and chase boat assistance to boat maintenance, organizing, fundraising and regatta preparation. Previous experience on the water is a plus, but not at all required. You only need a positive attitude and a willingness to jump right in. Together we can make sailing accessible to people with differing abilities.

Check out this 1 Minute video about what BAADS volunteering is like: Uplifting Volunteers with BAADS

 

How to become a BAADS volunteer

If you are new to BAADS and interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete the New Participation Form. If you have any questions, you can email our volunteer coordinator. Before sailing, we require all new volunteers to attend a mandatory small boat dock orientation usually on Saturday mornings. After the orientation, you can come out sailing with us that day. We ask volunteers to commit to once a month but most volunteers are there more often. We hope to see you on the dock soon!
 

Volunteer Benefits – Make a big difference in someone’s life!

As a trusted part of BAADS, you’ll enjoy many adventures on the world-famous San Francisco Bay. By supporting our sailing program regularly, you’ll learn valuable new skills so that you can crew and sail along with our members. In addition, you’ll also become a part of the vibrant South Beach Yacht Club community.

Volunteer Commitment – Can you commit to help us at least once a month?

As a volunteer with BAADS, you’ll be learning many new skills. Although it typically takes several weeks before new volunteers get up to speed, your initial participation and manpower is still quite valuable. We request all volunteers make a long-term commitment, and come sail with us at least once a month, if possible, especially in the beginning.

We ask that everyone take their commitment to BAADS very seriously: volunteering with BAADS is a highly responsible position. Our sailors rely upon you and your fellow volunteers to sail safely in a challenging and windy environment. We reserve the right to refuse or revoke a volunteer position to anyone. But in return for your serious commitment, we will commit back to you – by actively helping to improve your newfound skills, both on and off the water. Take a look at our Small Boat Program page for more information and educational resources.
 

Volunteer Positions – What you’ll do

Small Boat Dock

We need most volunteers to support our small boat program on Saturdays. You’ll assist sailors to get safely in and out of their sailboats, follow and safeguard sailors in their sail boats with BAADS chase boats, teach basic sailing skills, organize races and help assemble and disassemble our sailboats. If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact our volunteer coordinator or small boat director.

A typical small boat sailing day starts with boat assembly at 9:30 AM and ends after the boats have been put away between 2 and 4 PM. New volunteers need to work with the small boat program first, before they can migrate to the less volunteer-intensive keelboat program.
 

Keelboat Program

If you already have sailing experience, you can help out with the keelboat program. We are looking for keelboat skippers and competent crew and always need help with maintaining our boats. If you are interested with the keelboat program, send an email to our keelboat director. 

Maintenance

Our fleet needs continuous maintenance. Maintenance is mostly done during the week since the boats are generally used on the weekends. If you are interested in helping to maintain our boats, please email our bosun.
 

FAQ

1. What should I bring to the dock?

Most importantly, bring sun protection (hat, glasses and sunscreen) since you are very exposed to the sun. We also suggest you bring a lunch or snack to keep up your energy. Definitely bring a water bottle to prevent dehydration.

2. How should I dress?

Since the Bay Area weather is notoriously unpredictable, we suggest you dress in layers. While working to put all the boats together you might be hot, but you can get very cold very quickly once you are out on the water. If there is a chance of rain or heavy winds, foul weather gear is good to bring. A windbreaker and hat with a sun brim is always a good idea. Most of the time, we do not get wet since our boats are very stable.

Volunteer Nick comes all the way from Australia, mate!

3. Where can I find the small boat (dinghy) dock?

The small boat dock is right at the North end of the South Beach Harbor next to Pier 40. You can see our colorful boats from the parking lot in front of Pier 40. See location for more information. Pier 40 It is located nowhere near from Pier 39. The odd-numbered piers start north of the ferry building and the even-numbered piers start south. 

4. How can I get to the small boat dock?

By car

BAADS does not have any free parking. You can purchase a day long parking permit for $5 after you arrive. If you have to come by car, please inquire about the parking pass situation or park somewhere else.

Alternative parking is available at the UCSF mission bay campus at 3rd and 16th Street. The campus is a 15-min walk or 3 MUNI stations (T line outbound, towards SF downtown) away from the dock. If there is no baseball game, parking costs $2.50 a day. See Mission Bay Public Parking for more information.

By Public Transportation

Take Muni T or N line inbound from San Francisco downtown and get off at 2nd and King. Walk back 3 minutes towards the bay and South Beach Harbor. The small boat dock is located at the North end of the South Beach Yacht Harbor.