Mission Bay Aquatic Center Blog

Stock up at our annual used equipment sale

2015-12-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

Stock up on discounted used watersports gear this this Saturday, December 12 from 11am-3pm at MBAC’s annual Used Equipment Sale. This year’s sale will feature:

2015 Liquid Force wakeboards and bindings
2015 O’Brien wakeboards and bindings
2015 Liquid Force neoprene lifejackets
2013 Super Air Nautique-Red
2013 Super Air Nautique-Black
Used soft surfboards

Whether you are shopping for holiday deals or just want to save on some great gear there is sure to be something here for you. See you Saturday!

Give the gift of MBAC this season

2015-12-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

Creative gift givers know that a great experience can be a more cherished gift than standard material goods. MBAC gift certificates are a special gift that will create memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. They can be great for a friend or colleague to enjoy on their own or can be an opportunity for spouses or family members to enjoy together. From giving someone their first paddleboarding experience to surprising a seasoned wakesurfer with a session behind our Nautique Surf System equipped Super Air Nautiques, there are plenty of great options for first-timers and watersports enthusiasts this season.

MBAC gift certificates can be purchased both online and in person.

Surprise someone special with the gift of great experiences this season and purchase an MBAC gift certificate today!

Sign up early for Spring 2016 ENS and SAVE

2015-12-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

Already excited about some watersports fun this spring semester? We are too! That's why we are excited to offer an Earlybird Special where you can save 10% when you register for any Spring 2016 ENS class by December 14. These 15-week classes are offered for university credit to SDSU and USD students, but many people, including non-students choose to take these classes just for fun. Whether you are looking for some fun in your school schedule or just want an excuse to get out on the water every week, these classes are the best opportunity to enjoy spring in San Diego.

For a full list of classes and to take advantage of this great deal visit mbaquaticcenter.com/ens.

Sign up by December 14 to save 10%*!
*Discount will be automatically applied in cart through December 14.

Now Hiring: Full-Time Marine Maintenance Supervisor

2015-11-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

We are currently recruiting a full-time Marine Maintenance Supervisor responsible for supervising the repair and maintenance of MBAC equipment and facilities. Do you have what it takes to join our team of hard-working employees dedicated to sharing our passion for watersports?

This full-time position includes being responsible for repair and maintenance tasks, hiring and training of Maintenance Assistants and Dockmasters, supervising service and repair contractors, and planning and implementing the long term maintenance of all MBAC equipment and facilities. Duties also include performing and supervising skilled manual tasks in the maintenance and repair of MBAC boats, inboard and outboard engines, marine equipment, and building facilities.

Candidates should have at least four years of experience in supervising the maintenance of marine equipment at a marine oriented facility as well as in inboard and outboard marine engine repair and maintenance. Candidates should have strong knowledge and experience with fiberglass repair, sailboat repair, and facility maintenance. Candidates should have a strong background in boat handling and operation as well as specific experience in sailing is preferred.

This is a full-time hourly position, with a starting salary range of $19.26-$23.11 per hour. Associated Students of SDSU offers an incredible benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 403(b), life insurance, flexible spending account, tuition reimbursement, vacation, and holidays.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please visit Associated Students Jobs Page for a detailed job description and application.

Help Us Clean the Beach November 15

2015-11-09T13:17:00.005-08:00

One of our goals at MBAC is to give back to the community by doing our part to keep Mission Bay trash-free by by completing at least 3 beach cleanups every year as part of I Love a Clean San Diego’s Adopt-A-Beach Program. We are proud to be recognized as the official adopter of Santa Clara Point. We greatly appreciate the support from over 250 volunteers that helped us contribute over 500 volunteer hours to keeping Santa Clara Point a beautiful playground for all to enjoy over the past few years.

You too can to contribute to keeping our outdoor playground clean by joining us for a beach cleanup on Sunday, November 15th from 9am-12pm. Together we will be combing the beach and bay area picking up litter and trash that others have left behind. By doing our part to show others the importance of maintaining our beaches we can encourage them to think twice before littering. We sincerely appreciate your help to continue to keep our beautiful San Diego beaches beautiful!

Thanksgiving Break Closure

2015-11-09T11:59:00.002-08:00

We will be closed for Thanksgiving Break Monday, November 23 through Monday, November 30. There will be no classes and there will be no rentals during this time. We will re-open for normal operation on Tuesday, December 1 at 8am. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Beautiful conditions still holding out in San Diego

2015-10-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

Lucky for all of us, beautiful weather is still in full-swing here in San Diego! The water is still warm and the sun is still shining making perfect conditions to enjoy some time in or on the water. If you have been wanting to learn to surf, check that off your bucket list and come down to MBAC and let our instructors teach you!

Even if you don't have a lot of time we offer a Two-Session Surfing Course, and even a One-Day Intro to Surfing Course that is designed to get you started. Grab your family and friends and head down to the beach to learn a fun, new activity that you can all do together. Our short courses may turn you from a rookie to a pro in no time and may even develop a new life-long appreciation of surfing and the ocean.

Don’t let this awesome San Diego weather pass you by--Register for a surfing class TODAY!

MBAC and Sharp Rehabilitation partner for access to watersports

2015-10-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

On Monday October 12, 2015, MBAC partnered with Sharp Healthcare for the Sharp Rehabilitation Day on the Bay. This event provided an opportunity for persons with disabilities to participate in watersports activities they might not otherwise have access to. Adaptive waterskiing, kayaking, tubing and sailing were a few of the accessible activities offered to the over 75 participants with disabilities.

MBAC provided specially designed/constructed equipment and highly trained staff to run the watersports activities. This equipment and expertise allowed for a variety of activities to be adapted to accommodate a wide range of disabilities, including but not limited to paralysis, stroke, brain injury and amputation.

Day on the Bay provided a safe and fun environment for persons with disabilities to participate and learn different watersports activities. It is made possible through a grant provided by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis, using proceeds raised from the La Jolla Festival of the Arts. The event provides a rewarding experience for both the participants as well as the staff and volunteers. Many MBAC staff members proclaim the event to be their favorite work assignment of the year.

Make your H2Oath to boating safety and the environment

2015-10-15T14:43:00.002-07:00

People all over the world live and work by the power of an oath. Make your oath to be a safe boater and preserve our scarce resources for boating safety with the H2Oath! Brought to you by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.

Make YOUR H2Oath today at BoatCalifornia.com!

The Mission Bay Aquatic Center is a regional boating safety center as part of a program funded by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. The Division of Boating and Waterways funds boating facilities, boating safety education and supports boating law enforcement in California. A portion of the equipment at the Center is provided by the Department to enhance boating safety education in California.

Introducing wakesurfing this fall!

2015-08-04T19:54:00.002-07:00

We are excited to announce that we are now offering ENS 138 Wakesurfing as a college credit class starting this fall! Wakesurfing is a watersport that has risen in popularity as of recent years, and offers a unique, fun way to ride a boat’s wake, aka the perfect endless wave. Our new boats include the Nautique Surf System (NSS) where with a push of a button transforms the wake into a carvable face, giving the rider the ability to surf behind the boat without a rope.

While SDSU and USD students can receive academic credit for wakesurfing class, these classes are also available to the public. Our wakesurfing ENS class takes place once a week on Mission Bay and is a great opportunity to help you learn and master wakesurfing. There will be classes offered Tuesday through Friday from 2pm to 3:40pm, starting in late August.

Visit the college credit classes page to view the schedule and pick your class!

Save on camp with our Back-To-School Special!

2015-08-04T19:53:00.004-07:00

We’ve been having an amazing time at camp full of fun times and watersports adventures and we wish summer could go on forever. Although summer is coming to an end, you can enjoy more of The Watersports Camp before school starts with our Back-to-School Special! By signing up for 2 weeks during weeks 11-13 you will receive 10% off at check out!

Have your camper enjoy their last couple weeks of summer and make life-long memories. Take advantage of the Back-To-School Special today at watersportscamp.com!

Learn to surf in our 2-day surf class

2015-08-04T19:52:00.004-07:00

Now that the sun has decided to show up this summer in San Diego there has never been a better time to learn to surf. This month our featured class is our Two Session Surfing class. This class meets on a Saturday AND Sunday providing you with enough instruction over the weekend to feel confident practicing on your own after the class. On Saturday your class will begin with classroom instruction providing you with safety information and proper etiquette while out in the lineup followed by on-the-water instruction on proper paddling technique. Paddling is very important, as many surfers will tell you surfing is 80% paddling and 20% riding a wave. Next, you will work on your pop up on the beach, before charging the waves with an instructor there to assist in riding your first wave.

After all the fun and excitement on Saturday you will be able to come back on Sunday and continue practicing catching and riding waves which makes this 2-day class perfect for those looking for a successful surfing session.

Don't let this sunny summer pass you by without getting out there in the water and learning to surf.

Check out the schedule of upcoming classes on the surfing class page on our website.

TRS Camp at the Bay provides access to watersports for persons with disabilities

2015-08-04T19:51:00.004-07:00

Our mission statement at Mission Bay Aquatic Center includes ensuring a safe, enjoyable watersports experience for all who wish to participate. We were ecstatic and appreciative to once again be able to partner with the City of San Diego Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) to host a week-long “Camp at the Bay” event ensuring that watersports are accessible to persons with disabilities.

The event, held in July, hosted over 125 participants with a wide range of disabilities and offered accessible waterskiing, jet skiing, sailing, and kayaking, as well as other land activities such as frisbee golf and cycling. The participants had a blast and we heard many stories of how this event is a highlight of the summer season for many who may not otherwise have access to these activities. It’s a rewarding experience for staff and participants alike, to enjoy a beautiful week on the water enjoying watersports.

Thank you to the TRS staff and volunteers, Kawasaki USA, the Torrey Pines Kiwanis, and all who contributed to make the event a huge success. We hope to see returners and new participants next year!

New to The Watersports Camp? Top Five Things to Know.

2015-06-25T14:15:00.001-07:00

We here at Mission Bay Aquatic Center want every camper to be prepared to have a great time at The Watersports Camp, so we’ve compiled the top five things to know for new attendees:

Sunscreen is an important part of camp!

Be ready for FUN! With the wide array of programs offered, campers will find a sport they’ll love and our staff’s expertise and great attitudes guarantee the maximum amount of fun time packed into each day.
Bring sunscreen--and lots of it! San Diego summers include plenty of sunshine, so make sure your camper stays protected from the UV rays. We will be stopping to reapply throughout the day so be sure you bring ample sunscreen to apply multiple times.
Our morning camp offers instructional lessons to practice throughout the week. This allows them to build confidence and learn new techniques in the watersport that they choose when registering.
Our afternoon multisport camp is designed to squeeze in the most fun, where we allow every camper to try out a different watersport each day! This provides an awesome scope of all the programs we offer and every day is a unique experience. Full-day campers can add the afternoon multisport camp to their morning instructional session for a jam packed week of watersport fun.
Your camper is in good hands! We pride ourselves on providing a wonderful and safe watersports camp experience with our fully equipped, experienced instructors and camp counselors. Every staff member is certified in Red Cross CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguarding, and employs a “Safety First” approach to fun.

We are excited to see you at The Watersports Camp and encourage your camper to come prepared and ready to have FUN!

Camp is More Fun with a Friend!

2015-06-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

Camp experiences are especially unique when shared with friends! Your camper will gain long-lasting memories if they share The Watersports Camp experience with their friends. They will create the ultimate summer memories to enjoy and reflect on as they share it together. Moreover, our afternoon multisport camp groups are organized by age so campers will be able to experience this fun camp session with their peers.

If you sign up with a friend and will be attending the multisport camp, be sure to let us know at check in so we can be sure you get placed in the same afternoon group.

We want your camper to have a memorable and amazing water-filled week to remember for years to come! What better way to do that than with a friend?

Register today and be sure to use the Refer a Friend feature at sign up!

CIT Coordinator: Harrison Trubitt, Reflects His Past and Present at MBAC

2015-06-25T14:14:00.001-07:00

We interviewed one of our indispensable members of the MBAC staff, Harrison Trubitt, to reflect on his history as a camper at The Watersports Camp and now a current employee.

Harrison as a camper

How long have you been at The Watersports Camp? I started attending at age seven, and returned each year for four or five weeks of camp. I started with wakeboarding and eventually got into sailing as well, along with doing the afternoon multisport camp.
Do you have any favorite memories or highlights from when you were at camper? I was really into dressing up for the spirited “Thursday Theme Day,” and always had different outfits. One counselor I looked up to who mainly taught me sailing made a nickname for me. It was also pretty awesome to become a CIT (Counselor-in-Training) with five other friends who I met at camp. It’s cool how it’s been a full circle having my camp friends also be CITs and now coworkers.
What were your favorite sports to do while at camp? I remember starting wakeboarding as a young novice and getting a lot of help from my counselors, which improved my skills and motivated me to come back every summer to review what I had learned and to keep getting better. A few summers later I found myself at the other end of the beach by the black flag which represents the highest wakeboarding level. I also started as a beginner in sailing and advanced to lasers.
Why did you want to become a CIT? Going through the sailing experience made me want to become a CIT because the counselors were great encouragements and my role models. I also made many friends that were camp returners as well and we were accustomed to the camp routine so the next step for us was to become CITs and further our place in the MBAC community because it was such a fun and invaluable environment to be in.
How has your time here transitioned into having a position with MBAC? After being a camper for multiple summers and a CIT for one summer, I then became Assistant CIT Coordinator the summer after, then a lead staff member, and am now the CIT Program Coordinator.
After being at MBAC for ten years as a camper and CIT, why did you want to work here? It became a big part of who I was. It was where I learned a lot of the fun skills I still enjoy doing until this day. I learned how to befriend new kids from different backgrounds such as Chile and the Netherlands, which also helped my private education experience. Ultimately, I wanted to give kids the experiences that I had here.
Can you discuss a little bit about how significant your wakeboarding experience was in terms of the sport on a global scale? Yeah definitely. It was pretty cool learning it during that time period because wakeboarding wasn’t as popular as it is now, and The Watersports Camp was the only place in California that offered such close attention and care for kids learning to wakeboard. Now that I reflect on it I feel we contributed to developing a significant following for wakeboarding.
Can you also explain further what life skills you gained at camp? Like I said earlier, it was cool meeting kids from all kinds of different backgrounds. It taught me to accept people regardless of where they’re from, and by working together and encouraging each other to improve in wakeboarding and sailing, we only got better. I still talk to some of my foreign friends to this day. So I would say a lot of people skills and problem solving skills.
Can you sum up everything that Mission Bay Aquatic Center and the Watersports Camp has given you in a few words? Life-long friendships, experience in watersports, and life skills.
Anything else you’d like to share on behalf of your experiences here? I’m so grateful to have joined The Watersports Camp when I did. It allowed me to grow up in the MBAC community, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Summer camp is here!

2015-06-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Whether it seems like the school year has flown by or has been dragging on and on, for many students summer vacation has already begun and it's time for camp! This week many lucky campers are already kicking off their summer vacation at The Watersports Camp wakeboarding, surfing, paddling, or sailing their days away.

Our staff has been hard at work training over the past few weeks and are happy to finally get to spend some time providing high quality camp experiences and creating memories to last a lifetime! If you're still in school then we're sure summer break is right around the corner and we are looking forward to seeing you at camp soon!

Forgot to register for camp? Be sure to register today at watersportscamp.com!

Have some fun at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts

2015-06-10T11:22:00.003-07:00

The Torrey Pines Kiwanis and San Diego Magazine will host the 29th annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts on June 20-21 at UCSD's Warren Field. Proceeds from the award-winning festival benefit athletic programs for persons with disabilities in San Diego including MBAC's accessible and inclusive watersports programs.

MBAC was fortunate enough to kick off this year's festival season at a Kick Off Party at Bird’s surf shed where we wined and dined amongst some San Diego legends including Eric “Bird” Huffman, Aaron Chang, and Tim Bessell. The kick off party recognized Mission Bay Aquatic Center as a beneficiary and the Torrey Pines Kiwanis presented MBAC with a check for $25,000 to support watersport opportunities for San Diegans with disabilities.

Catching a wave with Aaron Chang at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts Kick Off Party

You too can support these worthy programs by attending the La Jolla Festival of the Arts. Sip and sample the craft beer and wine tastings while you enjoy the creative works of over 200 artists. The festival is a unique opportunity to combine support for adaptive programs and services that help those who have incurred serious and long term injuries, and artists who work hard to bring creativity and imagination to us every day.

We would love to have you join us at the festival this year and experience this wonderful event that is a great way to enjoy incredible art while supporting a great cause. To purchase tickets or for more information on the festival visit www.lajollaartfestival.org.

Purchase tickets online today at www.ljfa.org/tickets!

Free rentals to celebrate the start of summer

2015-06-10T11:21:00.005-07:00

We are once again offering our popular June Rental Special. Purchase a package of 3 rentals during the month of June and we will throw in 1 free rental*, or purchase a package of 6 rentals we will throw in 2 free rentals*. With our already low rental prices this is an unbeatable deal! Packages provide a great excuse to get out on the water again and again (as if you needed an excuse!)

Stop by MBAC before the month ends to take advantage of this great deal!

For a full list of our everyday low prices visit mbaquaticcenter.com/rentals.php.

* One rental use per visit maximum. Rental package uses are non-transferable and can be used by original purchaser only.

Celebrate dad at MBAC this Father’s Day

2015-06-10T11:19:00.005-07:00

Wondering what to do with dad this Father’s Day? With the coupon below you can bring dad in for a free paddleboard or kayak rental when you buy one for yourself June 19-21. This is a great gift option for those dads that are difficult to buy a gift for and an excellent opportunity to spend some quality time together on the water. Paddleboarding or kayaking will be a great experience for both of you whether you bring in your dad, spouse, or grandfather. Bring the coupon below or show it on your phone to get an awesome deal for dad this Father's Day!

Download Coupon

Join us at the LJFA Kick-Off Party and check presentation on May 28

2015-05-29T11:32:00.000-07:00

San Diego Magazine and Torrey Pines Kiwanis will host a fundraiser to support athletic programs for persons with disabilities at the iconic Bird’s Surf Shed on May 28, 2015. We hope that you can join us for a fun night full of entertainment, delicious bites from Miho Gastrotruck, and a hosted beer and wine bar. 100% of the proceeds from the Kick-off Party will benefit sports and recreation programs for San Diegans with disabilities.

In addition to all the fun at the event, Torrey Pines Kiwanis will be presenting the aquatic center with a donation of $25,000 to support our accessible watersports programs. Donations like these allow us to continue to provide watersports opportunities to local San Diegans with disabilities. The Kick-off Party celebrates the launch of the 19th annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts which will be held at UCSD in June.

The Kick-off Party will be held at the iconic Bird’s Surf Shed, which is filled with a collection of over 800 awe-inspiring vintage surfboards. In addition to entertainment, food, and drinks, a live auction will feature items from Honorary Ambassadors, Aaron Chang Photography, Tim Bessell Surfboards, a swag bag from San Diego Magazine, and much more.

Tickets for the Kick-off Party and La Jolla Festival of the Arts are available online at ljfa.org/tickets. We hope that you will be able to join us for a fun evening while helping to support watersport opportunities for San Diegans with disabilities.

Event Details
May 28, 2015
Bird’s Surf Shed
1091 W Morena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45 in advance, $55 at the door
Tickets available at: ljfa.org/tickets

Summer camp is almost here!

2015-05-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

The first week of The Watersports Camp season is just a few weeks away! We have been hard at work preparing and are excited to offer campers a high quality camp experience that they will cherish for decades! The coming weeks will be filled with continued training to ensure we live up to our reputation of delivering the highest standards of safe and quality camp experiences.

Each year we look forward to new friendships, amazing learning opportunities, and sharing our passion for the marine environment that can lead to a life long appreciation of watersports. With 13 weeks of fun ahead it’s just a matter of time before campers will be catching waves, jumping wakes, sailing in the summer sun, and creating memories that will last a lifetime!

If you haven’t already registered, head over to www.watersportscamp.com TODAY to ensure you don’t miss out on all the action-packed fun this summer!

Wakeboarding Development Camp

2015-05-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of our new Nautique 210’s this year we are more excited than ever for campers to LAUNCH into our Super Air Nautique Wakeboard Development Camp. This camp is designed specifically for campers who want to push their riding to new limits, learn new skills, and spend the week in our exclusive, all-day wakeboarding camp. Campers who register for the Wakeboarding Development Camp will be coached by one of our experienced wakeboarding instructors to learn new drills and tricks that will move them through the fundamentals and open new doors in their riding abilities.

Each day, Wakeboard Development Campers arrive at 7:45 am, grab their gear and jump in a 2015 Super Air Natique 210 before heading out from MBAC. Campers will spend the day on the boat with with our talented and experienced instructors, participating in a top-shelf wakeboarding experience not available anywhere else in San Diego. This camp is designed for wakeboarders and wakeskaters with previous experience who can successfully edge in and out of the wake and want to be coached to a new level of riding.

The Wakeboard Development Camp only has a capacity of just 5 riders per week and will fill up soon! Don't miss out and register today at www.watersportscamp.com!

Summer positions still available

2015-05-06T11:31:00.003-07:00

If you enjoy being outdoors and have a passion for watersports that you would like to share with others, then we might have the perfect job for you this summer! MBAC still has several positions open for the upcoming summer season.

Whether looking for a seasonal summer job or year-round part-time position, we are currently recruiting for many opportunities. Every summer over 2,000 kids ages 6-17 participate in our watersports camp where they participate in sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, surfing, stand up paddling, kayaking, and marine science. We also keep busy over summer teaching adult recreation and ENS classes, as well as renting equipment to tourists and locals alike.

Many positions are still open for instructors in sailing, paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking, rowing, or windsurfing. If you have a more general knowledge and experience of watersports and experience with kids, then a Camp Counselor position might be the perfect fit for you. For those with experience in customer service and maintenance, our Dockmaster position would be the perfect opportunity for you. If you are an avid tweeter, constantly double tapping on Instagram, and your friends are always liking your Facebook posts, check out our brand new Marketing-Social Media Assistant position.

Bilingual candidates are highly encouraged to apply!

For a complete list of available positions with full job descriptions, visit our website at www.mbaquaticcenter.com/jobs.

Bring Mom to MBAC for a complimentary rental

2015-05-06T11:30:00.006-07:00

This Mother’s Day bring your mom out for a fun and adventurous paddling excursion. We are offering a free kayak or paddleboard rental to all moms with the coupon below and the purchase of a rental. Whether the mom in your life is a friend, spouse, or the person that raised you, bring her down for a fun paddle on Mission Bay. If you want to make it a super special weekend adventure, we recommend stopping by Olive Café for an early morning breakfast, midday brunch, or afternoon lunch pre or post paddle. Give that special mom in your life a fun opportunity to explore Mission Bay while spending some quality time with you.

Simply display the coupon below on your phone or print it out and bring it in to get a Buy One, Get One Free discount Saturday, May 9 or Sunday, May 10. Our current rental hours are 8:00am-5:30pm and our rentals are good for up to 2.5 hours.