recreation
My hometown, New York City, isn’t landlocked but water sports and activities aren’t a usual
occurrence for the people living there. I hadn’t actually participated in water activities until I
moved to Okinawa. Here, you have so many opportunities because of places like Kadena Marina.
They offer a variety of cool and unique water activities like surfi ng, stand up paddle boarding,
kayaking and now, sailing.
Sailing isn’t a new program to Kadena Marina. Many people don’t know but Kadena Harbor is an
American Sailing Association certifi ed teaching school, they have just been without an instructor
for the past three years. Now, however, they have an instructor, Karl Kuehner, who is ready and
excited to share his knowledge with anyone who wants to learn to sail.
Karl has been sailing practically all his life and it all started at six years old as he sailed with his
father. He has been a sailing instructor for 35 years and his passion for sailing is evident whenever
he is answering the questions of someone who wants to learn. As someone who knows nothing
about sailing, it was fun asking him questions about how the boat works and how to do basic things
because he was ready to answer without skipping a beat. He explained everything thoroughly and
helped me understand with ease. I also got the opportunity to watch him sail and maneuver the
“Wind Charmer,” one of the sailboats at the Kadena Marina, like it was second nature. That was
what convinced me to sign up for sailing lessons.
The sailing program is available for any level of experience for people 16 years and older. It’s a
basics class. If you have no experience, these lessons will teach you all you need to know to sail
the seas. The lessons are broken down into about three classroom instruction sessions and three
hands-on sailing sessions. There is a cap at four people per class but if there are just two people
interested, Karl is willing to teach. The length of the class can change depending on how many
people are participating in the class. The classes will teach you basic sail handling, navigational
rules, boating safety and how to manage emergency situations.
After you fi nish the lessons, you will have the ability to rent a boat from the Kadena Harbor to
sail around the area. You will also earn an international license through the American Sailing
Association. Once you learn from Karl and get your international license, you are free to sail
anywhere in the world that has a harbor and boats for rent! This is convenient for our community
with many military members and their families moving frequently; taking these lessons will give
you the opportunity to sail wherever the military takes you!
Whether you are a beginner with no knowledge of the seas, like me, or you want to brush up and
renew your ASA sailing license, these lessons are perfect for you. Kadena Marina will be offering
these classes year-round. Time on Okinawa goes by fast, so head down to Kadena Marina to
schedule your classes today!
24 WWW.KADENAFSS.COM