Sacramento State Aquatic Center
Encyclopedia
The Aquatic Center is a regional boating instruction safety center as a part of a program funded by the California Department of Boating and Waterways
California department of boating and waterways
The California Department of Boating and Waterways, is a department within the government of California, belonging to the state cabinet-level California Resources Agency. Originally formed in 1957 as the Division of Small Craft Harbors, the department was officially reorganized to take under new...

. A portion of the equipment at the Aquatic Center is provided by the department to enhance boating safety education in California.

Mission Statement

To provide high quality boating and safety programs through education, recreation, and competition.

History

1981, the Associated Students of California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento, popularly known as Sacramento State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...

 (ASI) in collaboration with the University Union, and State Parks reached a land use agreement with the Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...

(BLM). This enabled the Sacramento State Aquatic Center a permanent home on Lake Natoma
Lake Natoma
Lake Natoma is an intermediate lake in between Nimbus Dam and Folsom Dam.It is a recreational lake for rowing, kayaking, and swimming. Powerboats are permitted with a 5 mph no wake restriction. Lake Natoma is also home to the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, and regularly hosts West Coast College...

 occupying a beautiful eight acre peninsula of land right next to Nimbus Dam
Nimbus Dam
The Nimbus Dam is a base load hydroelectric dam on the American River near Folsom, California. Approximately of water is retained by the dam.- External links :* fact sheet - United States Bureau of Reclamation* - parks.ca.gov...

.

Operating out of a shed with a couple containers, the Aquatic Center received a Capital Improvement Grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways
California department of boating and waterways
The California Department of Boating and Waterways, is a department within the government of California, belonging to the state cabinet-level California Resources Agency. Originally formed in 1957 as the Division of Small Craft Harbors, the department was officially reorganized to take under new...

 (DBAW) to refurbish the existing peninsula with four new buildings, four brand new handicap accessible docks, and new equipment for many program areas. These renovations took place while operation remained open and the upon completion in 2003 the facility is a family friendly and easily accessible destination for water enthusiast year round.

Features of the facility include: beach area, picnic tables, barbecues, docks, classrooms, weight room, work out Mezzanine, offices, and convenient parking.

General

The Sacramento State Aquatic Center is a non-profit, cooperative operation of the Associated Students Inc. of California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento, popularly known as Sacramento State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...

, the University Union of Sacramento State, California Department of Boating and Waterways, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation
California Department of Parks and Recreation
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, also known as California State Parks, manages the California state parks system. The system administers 278 parks and 1.4 million acres , with over of coastline; of lake and river frontage; nearly 15,000 campsites; and of hiking, biking, and...

. The center has provided instruction to thousands of students in California. The center offers university credit for kinesiology classes in Sailing, Rowing, Water-ski/Wakeboarding, and Windsurfing as a means to augment the academic curriculum at Sacramento State. The Aquatic Center provides leisure classes for the general public, competitive teams, a series of progressive summer camps, and youth programs. The center is open seven days a week to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Sac State as well as the general public.

Focus On Safety

There is not currently a license needed in order to operate a vessel on open water. One of the goals of the Aquatic Center is to educate the public on boating safely as well as the rules to try and reduce boating related accidents. The National Safe Boating Council
National Safe Boating Council
The National Safe Boating Council is a membership organization with over 330 U.S. and Canadian members committed to reducing boating accidents and enhancing the boating experience...

 and Western States Boating Administrators Association (WSBAA) awarded the Boating Education Advancement Award (BEAA) to Sacramento State Aquatic Center. This award recognizes organizations that have developed and successfully implemented programs that:
  1. Enhance the image and recognition of boating safety efforts.
  2. Share success stories for betterment of safe boating.
  3. Create a closer partnership between national, state and local boating education organizations.
  4. Promote the theme of the North American Safe Boating Campaign.

Staff

Composed of highly experienced manager/instructors with college degrees, the Aquatic Center staff help ensure that all activities are both safe and enjoyable for the students. All Staff members are certified in C.P.R., First Aid, Advanced Lifeguarding, and hold their California Boating Safety Certificates. These qualifications are required to help ensure the safety of all patrons of the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.

Programs

The center offers university kinesiology classes, leisure classes for the general public, competitive teams, a series of progressive summer camps and youth programs. The center was established to augment the academic curriculum at California State University, Sacramento. The Aquatic Center is open to Sacramento State students, faculty, staff, and alumni as well as the general public. All students, faculty, staff, and alumni receive a discount with their valid Sacramento State identification card. Classes are offered to students for a unit of University credit through the Aquatic Center in Sailing, Windsurfing, Water Skiing/Wakeboarding, and Olympic Rowing. Programs of the Aquatic Center include:
  • Kayaking


Rentals, memberships, Private lessons, and classes are offered. Intro to flat water kayaking is an excellent class to learn the basics as well as the characteristics of a variety of different style boats.
  • Stand Up Paddling


Stand Up Paddle Surfing
Stand up paddle surfing
Stand up paddle surfing , or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he'e nalu, is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. The sport is an ancient form of surfing, and reemerged as a way for surfing instructors to manage their large groups of students, as standing on the board gave them a higher...

is one of the most popular activities at the Aquatic Center and fastest growing paddle sport.
  • Wakeboarding


Offering general classes, private lessons, and home of the Sacramento State Wakeboard Team.
  • Sailing


Offering Beginning classes through advanced keel boating, private lessons, and memberships.
  • Water Skiing


Offering general classes, private lessons, and home of the Sacramento State Water Ski Team.
  • Jet Skiing


Offering Classes and private lessons.
  • Windsurfing


Classes geared toward the first time beginner who wants to learn and offers advanced private lessons.
  • Canoeing


Offering rentals and classes where you learn the basics while touring the lake.
  • Rowing


One of the top rowing facilities in the entire country, it hosts various regional and national meets including the annual Pacific Coast Rowing Championships. Home of Sacramento State Women's and Men's, Capital Crew, and Master's rowing programs. The Aquatic Center offers classes as well as private lessons by some of the finest rowing coaches in the country.
  • Youth Programs


Invites children to learn to be water safe through school and youth groups. Offering Aquatic Camps for children 7-17 during the summer as well as an outstanding after school program.
  • Equipment Rentals
  • Team Building

Competitive Teams

The Sacramento State Aquatic Center Houses several competitive organizations that compete at a regional and national level.
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