Sunny skies greet the 2013 camp season

The 2013 camp season kicked off with beautiful sunny skies and we couldn’t be more excited for yet another great summer. With the start of the June Multi-Week Special where you save 10% for signing up for at least 2 weeks in June, and a new Watersports Camp staff that has been spending hours training to make this the best summer yet, now is the perfect time to register for camp! With some camps in July and August starting to fill up, now is a great month to get a head start on summer fun. We are offering the same great programs this summer, with morning and afternoon options that can be combined for a full day of excitement and adventure. Check out the fun the 2013 campers are already having this week on the camp Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thewatersportscamp.

Ensure your spot in a fun summer by signing up for camp at www.watersportscamp.com now!

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June rental special makes great deal even better

We have some of the most inexpensive rentals in town and our rates are about to get even better during our June Rental Special! Until the end of June, renters can purchase rental packages of 3 and 6 rental uses and get free rentals. A purchase of a 3-use package will give you 1 additional free rental and each purchase of a 6-use package gives you 2 free additional rentals.  That is in addition to the discount package rate lowering the cost to as low as $7.25 per 2.5 hr rental.  The great part about the June Rental Special and our everyday rental packages is that they never expire and you only have to fill out paperwork when you purchase the package—not EVERY time that you rent. Just bring in your ID and we take a rental off your account each time that you go out on the water.  Rental packages are available for kayaks, sailboats, windsurfers, stand up paddling, and rowing equipment.  Rental packages are a great way to save money and enjoy the bay more often.
Be sure to stop by and kick off your summer the right way by stacking up some free rentals with us! Refer to www.mbaquaticcenter.com/rentals.htm for all rental prices.

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Purchase discounted La Jolla Arts Festival tickets at MBAC and support accessible watersports

The Mission Bay Aquatic Center is offering discounted tickets to the La Jolla Festival of the Arts. For just $10 per ticket you can enjoy a great day of art, food, and music, all while supporting accessible watersports at MBAC. That’s a savings of $4 per ticket! The 2-day festival is held on June 22 & 23 at the UCSD campus and is considered to be one of Southern California’s premiere art events. The festival features over 200 artists in an intimate setting of original fine art, entertainment, and delicious cuisines complemented with fine wine and craft beer as you stroll the turf of UCSD Warren Field.

Every year, the Mission Bay Aquatic Center is able to enrich the lives of hundreds of people with disabilities by giving them the opportunity to experience watersports. By hosting special events for people with disabilities, many who may not otherwise have access are able to experience sailing, kayaking, and waterskiing with adaptable equipment. Our accessible watersports program requires expensive custom equipment and trained assistance, which wouldn’t be possible without funding raised by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts. In addition to fundraising for accessible equipment, the money provided by the festival also provides resources for the additional care necessary for youth with disabilities to be included in The Watersports Camp at MBAC alongside their able-bodied peers.

Since 1987, the Torrey Pines Kiwanis-produced La Jolla Festival of the Arts has raised more than $1.7 million for local adaptive sports and recreation programs that have served about 40,000 disabled San Diegans. A portion of the tickets sold at MBAC will directly support adaptive watersports at MBAC.

Discounted tickets are being sold on the camp website or at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center for $10 ($14 at the door) and will directly support adaptive watersports at the aquatic center. If you are a business owner or manager, consider purchasing a block of tickets for your organization to reward your staff with a fun-filled day at the festival.

Purchase your tickets online at the camp website, or contact us at (858) 488-1000.  For more information on the festival visit www.lajollaartfestival.org.

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Save 20% on Basic Sailing for Summer Sailstice

We are celebrating the Summer Sailstice, the worldwide celebration of sailing on the weekend closest to the solstice, by offering 20% off Basic Sailing* classes starting on June 22. The class runs for two consecutive weekends for a total of 4 sessions. There is both a 9am and 1pm class starting that day so whether you are available for mornings or afternoons there is a class for you.  Class meeting dates are June 22, 23, 29 and 30.

Spend the longest day of the year with starting your journey toward developing a life long appreciation of sailing.

To learn more about the Summer Sailstice celebration please visit www.summersailstice.com.

* Offer good for small boat sailing Basic Sailing class only.  Does not include Basic Keelboat Sailing.

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MBAC RECEIVES CERTIFICATION OF LEED PLATINUM!

In April, the Mission Bay Aquatic Center became the first in the California State University System and second facility in San Diego County to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance. LEED is an internationally recognized green building rating system, overseen by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Platinum certification is the highest level of recognition for green buildings under LEED guidelines.

“We have always hoped that people would see MBAC as more than a place to learn watersports,” says MBAC Assistant Director, Kevin Waldick. “This prestigious certification now helps communicate the message that the MBAC is not just about water safety and fun, but is also about a lifestyle of sustainability and a connection with the water we play in and the world we live.”

Getting certified by the USGBC is not an easy endeavor even for a facility that meets all of the requirements. It takes hundreds of man hours to provide documentation and compile data to earn credits to successfully complete the performance period. This work fell on the MBAC LEED Certification Team, a group of student volunteers from SDSU and UCSD who did the yeoman’s work over a period of 12 months. Many of the students are members of SDSU’s Green Love Committee or the USGBC Student Chapters at SDSU and UCSD.

Michelle Perez, the project’s LEED team manager and UC San Diego sustainability analyst, remarked, “Engaging the emerging generation in this mission is as important as the built environment we strive to improve.  The diverse group of students shared their talents and strengths, bringing fresh perspective and energy to the project at every step.  By engaging students in the MBAC LEED certification effort, both universities continue to green their schools from within.”

MBAC’s certification at the level of Platinum is an extraordinary accomplishment for a 40 year old building. Glen Brandenburg, Associated Students Director of Facilities and Sustainability, who was also the Director of MBAC during its construction in 1975, points out that many of the features that are included in modern green building design were implemented in the original MBAC construction, long before people were thinking about sustainability.

"When we first built the MBAC we included a lot of design elements that were meant to have long-term impact on keeping operating costs down," says Glen.  "And while our decision at the time was based on economics, the conservation aspects of the design features are being implemented today as having both an economic and ecologic benefit.  It's a win-win for businesses." 

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Volunteers needed for beach clean-up May 18

MBAC is seeking volunteers who care about clean beaches, love pancakes, and would like to participate in our inaugural beach clean-up at Santa Clara Point. The clean up is part of our Adopt-A-Beach partnership with I Love A Clean San Diego and will help get the beach clean and ready for summer.

The beach clean-up will be from 8am-10am on May 18 and will take place on Santa Clara Point.  It will be followed by a free pancake breakfast prepared by MBAC Assistant Director, Kevin Waldick, for volunteers. Participants should bring work gloves and comfortable shoes.  

Please volunteer to come help protect the environment,  enjoy some free pancakes, and spend some time with some of your favorite MBAC instructors while getting our aquatic playground ready for summer!

If you would like to volunteer please RSVP by email to cleanup@mbaquaticcenter.com by Wednesday, May 15.

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