Volunteer Spotlight: David Fawcett

Sailing has been a lifelong love of volunteer, long-time member and day-leader David Fawcett. Growing up in the state of Virginia, his father first introduced him to dinghy sailing at the age of six. To say sailing runs in his blood would be an understatement.

Influenced by his father who was an avid sailor and racer with a background in naval architect marine engineering from MIT, David began taking lessons and eventually learned to race on a tributary of the James River. At age ten, his father had acquired a fleet of boats in Virginia that they raced in the Winter when the wind was most prevalent. David poetically refers to them as the “frostbite races”.

It would be several more years, including a move to Jacksonville Floridia, before David would eventually land in California. “When I first came out here to go to graduate school, I was sailing with people on keel boats over in the marinas, before you had apps and smartphones. You’d put up a card over near the J-dock bathrooms and someone would call you and you’d go out”. He’d spend time meeting other like minded people and racing just for fun, though eventually his focus shifted away from the water and to other sports and activities like biking and backpacking. 

Around 2012, he wanted to get back on the water and continue his education in sailing. He considered returning to the J-dock postings to find more keel boat mates and as he was driving around the Berkeley Marina one day, he spotted a cluster of masts from the road. Following his instincts, those tall masts led him to the CSC clubhouse, where he eventually joined as a member in 2013. “It took a while to get back into it… I had to get into physical shape too”.

Over the next year and half, David diligently worked his way up through the dinghy ratings, eventually obtaining a senior rating which allowed him to begin training on the keelboats. “I went out every single day after work and then tested and finally got the senior.” Within six months of passing the keelboat rating test on both a Commander and a Merit, David received his cruising rating which had been his long-term goal.

Cruises are typically held on Saturday and Sunday from the club by lottery system. These adventures are full day excursions and include planning, charting, navigating and exploring wherever the boat is docked. “In San Francisco, we go to Pier 39, docking there. You can walk from there to North Beach to a restaurant for lunch”.

This year, he’s been working closely with Alyssa, who leads the women’s socials, to help as many women as possible get their senior and cruising ratings. “My goal is to get women so experienced with the cruising process that by the time they go for their qualifying it will be second nature to them.”

With dedication to inclusivity and a genuine passion for cruising, David enjoys the hours he’s spent both learning and educating at CSC. “I love this place…I’ve met so many great people here who are long term friends and we do all kinds of other things together. That’s one reason I love dayleading, too.” The community is just as important as the sailing for David, and the accessibility to both offered through the club are invaluable.