Super-fast sailboats are racing through San Francisco Bay this month and during August, leading up to the America’s Cup championship races in September.
If you’ll be watching the America’s Cup from a boat or from shore, check out Baykeeper’s tips for protecting the Bay as you enjoy the sailboats zooming by:
- If you’re headed to viewing areas on the San Francisco waterfront, take public transit or ride your bike.
- Stay out of areas marked as sensitive habitat, such as the Crissy Field dunes. If you’re watching from the Marin Headlands, avoid trampling fragile plants.
- Bring your own reusable water bottle to cut down on trash. Better yet, bring a bag to take your litter home with you, and help reduce buildup in trash receptacles near the shoreline, where it can easily be blown or washed into the Bay.
- Many extra boaters will be on the water during the America’s Cup. If you’re boating, help protect the Bay by always using sewer pump-outs; practice careful fueling to reduce diesel spills; and dispose of trash responsibly.
- Be Bay-friendly while you’re sun-wise: choose a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide labeled "no nano-particles." Many sunscreen ingredients are not removed by sewage treatment; they end up in treated wastewater that gets discharged into San Francisco Bay. Chemical sunscreens and nano-particles both can pose serious health dangers for people and wildlife.
And of course, have lots of fun!
