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Campus Recreation

General Information

Open Water Kayaking Class Fall 2009   Day at the Docks Fall 2009


Channel Islands Harbor and Facilities

The CI Waterfront Program is located in the Channel Islands Harbor, about 20 minutes from campus.  Parking for the Waterfront Program is available at the outside parking lot in front of the Whale’s Tail Restaurant.  The restaurant is on the left-hand side of Harbor Blvd. at 3900 Blue Fin Circle, Oxnard, CA 93035.  Carpooling is highly encouraged.  There are no shower or locker facilities available at the harbor.  It is the participant’s responsibility to look after and secure their belongings.

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Hours of Operation

  • Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
  • Friday and Saturday, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.*

* Times and days subject to change.  You must register for a class prior to arriving at the waterfront.  Also, all registrants are encouraged to contact the Recreation Center at (805) 437-8902 before leaving for the harbor to ensure there have been no class schedule changes or cancellations.

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Contact Information

Campus Recreation
Email: CampusRecreation@csuci.edu
Phone: (805) 437-8902

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Eligibility

The Waterfront Program at CSU Channel Islands is primarily for students, faculty, staff, and alumni use.  Guests or Dolphin Passport holders may take part in waterfront activities but must pay the Campus Recreation day use fee to participate and must stay within the company of their sponsor.  CI identification is required to register for and attend all waterfront programs.  Guests will be allowed to kayak or sail in the Capri 16.5 if their sponsor is Open Use Skipper qualified.  Guests will not be allowed to sail by themselves, skipper any boat or practice with the CI Sailing Club.

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Registering for Classes

All eligible registrants must visit the Recreation Center at Arroyo Hall to register for waterfront programs prior to arriving at the harbor.  Guests or Dolphin Passport holders must pay the Campus Recreation day use fee to participate and must stay within the company of the sponsor. Upon registration, the registrant will receive an email outlining the class, location, time, day and items needed for the class.

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Waterfront Classes

  • Sailing classes: meet four times per session for four hours
  • Kayaking classes: meet once per session for four hours
  • Rowing classes: meet four times per session for four hours 

A session is two weeks and there are eight sessions per semester.  Every class will have a water safety component that will highlight a specific educational topic that the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) has found beneficial to all boaters.  Attendees will be provided with safety publications provided by the DBW at no extra cost.  For a student to progress through the levels of sailing, kayaking and rowing, he/she will be asked to demonstrate the skill achievement.  There are no make-up sessions if a participant misses a class unless the session is canceled due to weather or other circumstances that are deemed unsafe. 

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Waterfront Guidelines

  1. Participants MUST wear a US Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times while on the water.
  2. Participants must thoroughly inspect all equipment while rigging.
  3. When sailing around Channel Islands Harbor, participants must be dressed appropriately to prevent hypothermia, which is a year-round concern. Spray protection (windbreaker, etc.) is also recommended.
  4. Jeans are by definition unacceptable attire for sailing at the harbor.
  5. Sailors and kayakers should wear closed-toe foot protection and participants must wear shoes in ALL waterfront activities at all times. Dark colored soles may mark the boats and are therefore not allowed. Shoes should have sufficient tread and heel support to prevent you from slipping on the wet surfaces around the dock.
  6. Participants are not permitted to run, roughhouse or ride bikes anywhere around the CI Waterfront Program area.
  7. Participants must pick-up after themselves including trash, water bottles, towels, etc.
  8. Participants must report all injuries and equipment damage immediately to the instructor.

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Weather Restrictions

  1. Following significant rainfall, certain water activities shall cease for a minimum of 48 hours after the rain has stopped. Please call Campus Rec at (805) 437-8902 before leaving home to find out whether water activities have resumed.
  2. Unexpected weather conditions such as offshore wind or fog may jeopardize safety during activities. If visual contact cannot be maintained with all vessels at all times, activities may be delayed or canceled.
  3. If the small craft warning is posted with measured or expected winds exceeding 20 knots, there will be no water activities.
  4. No water activities are permitted when there is a thunder and lightening storm.

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What to Bring

  1. Closed-toe, non-leather shoes with light colored (not black), non-slip soles
  2. Sunscreen and a hat
  3. Sunglasses (with a cord to keep them on)
  4. Clothing for water activity and the expected weather (fleece is good, cotton and denim are not recommended; consider dressing in layers)
  5. Change of clothes and shoes
  6. Towel

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What NOT to Bring

  1. Valuables
  2. Cell phones, pagers or anything that does not agree with water

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The Waterfront Provides

  1. US Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Devices
  2. All kayaking, windsurfing and sailing equipment

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Recommended

  1. Sailing gloves
  2. Dinghy sailing boots or wet suit boots
  3. Windbreaker

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Checking the Weather

Please call Campus Rec at (805) 437-8902 before leaving home to find out whether water activities will occur in inclement weather.  Participants can also check the weather at the Channel Islands Harbor by visiting their website.

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Class Cancellation

If class is canceled due to bad weather or safety issues, the instructor will notify each participant by phone and email within a minimum of 2 (two) hours before the start of class.  

Inclement Weather Policy

The following are guidelines used to determine if any individual or group may participate in waterfront activities during uncertain weather:

  • Thunder and lightning storm - no water activities
  • Small craft warning posted with the anemometer showing consistent 20-knot winds - no water activities
  • CI Sailing Club members will be allowed to sail in 25-knot consistent wind only if their ability is at that level. 
  • Following significant rainfall, all “water contact activities” such as kayaking and windsurfing shall cease up to a minimum of 48 hours after the rain has stopped. Participants in other activities such as sailing and touring kayaks will be allowed to go on the water after they read an information sheet and sign an informed consent form, stating that they understand the risks involved if they are exposed to potentially unhealthy water.
  • Other unexpected weather conditions such as an offshore wind or fog may make water activities unsafe. All instructors must maintain visual contact with participants at all times.

Any waterfront staff member has the authority to cancel class if deemed unsafe for the participants. 

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Water Safety Requirements

To be able to participate in any waterfront program, participants must be “water safe.”  This means that participants must be able to handle themselves in the water without panicking and while maintaining a calm demeanor.  Before the first day of instruction, individuals must swim 100 yards using any stroke, taking as much time as needed, and then tread water for five minutes after which they will be asked to put on a life jacket while still in the water.  The test must be scheduled in advance and observed by a waterfront staff member.  The test in the student housing pool is 15 laps (100 yards).  Life jackets are provided for all activities and they are REQUIRED to be worn at all times. 

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