Did you know that URI has its own sailing center? Located a quick 12-minute drive from campus you can be kayaking and paddle boarding with your friends for free all weekend long!

When I first heard that the sailing center was free for students I thought it was too good to be true. So I headed over with my friends and stopped next door for a cup of coffee at Java Madness (my fave!) and walked over to the sailing center.

What should I wear?

Do I have to wear a bathing suit? The answer is no you do not, but if it’s still warm out I would suggest it. I would especially suggest wearing a bathing suit if you paddle board because you’ll most likely fall in. However, if you’re confident enough in your paddling ability I support your decision to wear normal athletic gear.

When you go kayaking during the fall I would suggest wearing athletic clothes that you feel comfortable in and do not restrict you. Sailing coordinator David Livingston said, “the water stays fairly warm throughout the fall”, so don’t worry about freezing or falling into cold water. My go-to kayaking outfit on an October day would be a light sweatshirt or long sleeve, leggings, and sneakers (ones that I don’t mind if I get wet).

I’m here…Now what?

When you enter the sailing center you’re going to want to find someone wearing a Campus Rec shirt, they’re the ones who can help you with sign up in order to take out a kayak or paddleboard. They’re usually hanging out upstairs in the office or down on the docks. All you need to do is present your student IDs and sign a waiver and they will set you up! The center has approximately a dozen paddleboards, 13 single kayaks, and 4 doubles. The staff suggests several different places to paddle out to including some islands and even behind The Mews (also my fave!).

Downstairs there are life jackets and paddles, life jackets must be worn at all times while kayaking and paddle boarding. Outside you’ll see the racks of boards and kayaks, they have both double and single kayaks. If you’re like me and get a little tired out there paddling I suggest getting your friend in a double with you and letting them paddle you around. (Warning: getting into a double kayak with your friend and refusing to paddle may result in them splashing you with water.)

Unfortunately, I could not convince any of my friends to get in a double kayak with me on the day I went, so instead, I stretched out my shoulders and got to paddling. We had so much fun paddling around the salt pond and looking at all the houses on the water as well as the birds hanging out in the wetlands. We stayed out for an hour before we decided to paddle back into shore, remember if you paddle out for an hour it will take you an hour to get back in!

Why should I kayak or paddleboard?

Kayaking and paddle boarding are two great ways to get a workout in while having fun! Primarily working your shoulder, back, and core muscles you will be feeling the burn after paddling around all afternoon.

Also, IT’S FREE! Trust me, I know the struggle. As college kids, we’re all just finding fun things to do on the weekend without breaking the bank. Head over to the sailing center and pack a picnic to eat at Marina park across the street and make a day of it, OR if you want to splurge a little bit have lunch or dinner at Two-Ten oyster bar!

When is the Sailing center open?

The sailing center is open every weekend throughout the fall until November 4th, Friday’s 2:00-5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday’s 12-5:00p.m.! Again the sailing center is FREE for students (with your student ID) and is included with Employee’s Platinum Membership.

How to get there! (my personal directions)

The sailing center is located at 236 Salt Pond Road, Wakefield RI 02879. Your GPS will most likely send you down RI 108, but I prefer taking South Rd. If you’re coming from campus I suggest taking South Rd. to Post Rd. and hopping on Route 1 North for approximately one mile and taking the Salt Pond Rd. exit, the center will be located to the right of Two-Ten Oyster bar. Unfortunately, the RIPTA doesn’t have any stops near the center (yet!), so maybe if you’re on campus without a car you can ask one of your friends to bring you! (I suggest bribing them with an iced coffee from Java!)

What else does the Sailing Center offer?

You can learn to sail for class credit! Beginning and intermediate sailing are offered for 2 credits each (KIN 210 & 250). Make sure to put these classes in your ecampus shopping cart to sign up for Spring semester!

The co-ed club sailing team also sails out of the center and competes in the New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association.

I hope you all head over and give kayaking and paddle boarding a try yourself!
Have you been to the sailing center? Comment below and share your experience!

See ya next week!
-Leah