Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show® embraces the environment, marine sports and water rescue efforts

Roger van Hertsen © Mary Lou Thiercof

The Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show celebrates sailing, boating, and the marine sport lifestyle with events & exhibits for all generations of marine sports enthusiasts over four days in Richmond, CA from Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, April 22.

This year US Sailing Board of Directors Member Richard Jepsen is presenting the US Sailing's Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to Roger van Hertsen and his father Evrand van Hertsen for their rescue of a swimmer severely injured by an attacking sea lion in San Francisco Bay December 14, 2017. The timing was everything. "It was a 60 second window," says van Hertsen. "We had just finished lunch and were going for a casual sail around Angel Island when I saw two heads bobbing in the water and slowed down." The victim, 56 yr.-old Christian Einfeldt, out on his regular swim, cried out that he had been bitten by a sea lion. "I didn't know how bad it was when I first called the Coast Guard and then saw all the blood and called them back, which escalated their response time." van Hertsen said anyone in his situation would have done what he did and was happy it turned out the way it did.

Evrand van Hertsen - photo © Mary Lou Thiercof

The awards ceremony is Saturday, April 21, 5:30 pm, in the tent outside Craneway Pavilion. The awards presentation kicks off Cruising Outpost's Cruisers Party and raffle at 6 pm to benefit the Educational Tall Ships Foundation Project in Sausalito.

Also planned is a Coast Guard Helicopter rescue on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm (dependent upon Coast Guard priorities).

There will be hands-on boating clinics run by Bay Area companies Club Nautique and Passage Nautical, featuring both sail and power boats. Also on the calendar at the marina will be free, radio-controlled model yacht racing, a favourite activity for young and old alike.

The environment is a special focus at this year's event:

On Saturday Groundwork Richmond, an environmental organization restoring the environment with the next generation of environmental stewards, celebrates Earth Day at the Marina Bay Yacht Harbor with their kayak fleet, nature and environment interactive lessons and free on-the-water tours of Richmond's historic waterfront. Schedule:

• 9 am - Green Team Wet-Run Safety Training
• 10 am - Guided Kayaking tours available for the general public to navigate the harbour, followed by Food Trucks at Craneway Pavilion
• 12:30 pm - Public information Session with SF Bay Water Trail
• 1 pm - Public Boating offering continues until 3 pm

If you have always wanted to try SUP, 510 Waterline offers free mini-intros to Stand Up Paddle Boarding with short rides at the boat launch ramp Friday 11:30 am - 2 pm and on Saturday 11 am - 2 pm. They also have a Just Paddle excursion on Friday 9 am - 10:30 am, an Earth Day paddle on Saturday 9 am - 10:30 am and a SUP yoga class on Sunday from 9 am - 10:30 am. Boat show attendees can get out on the water and see the San Francisco Bay and Richmond from a new perspective.

More good times:

• Thursday, April 19, Captain Tanja Koster is offering a free class Women-on-Board, Sensitivity Saves Money. Details on free seminars.
• If you are at the show by 5:30 pm on Friday April 20, you can attend the free Latitude 38 and Twin Rivers Marine Insurance party at Assemble restaurant. Be sure to bring your ticket for admission.
• Available at the Visit Richmond CA's booth is the Richmond Trail Guide with a map of where to EAT, DRINK, STAY & PLAY in Richmond.