Learn to Sail

The Sailing Club offers free classroom instruction for members. Members are required to take one or more classes in order to progress through the ranking system and as a prerequisite to boat check-out privileges. For more information, see the page on the Club's Rating System.

Every member is encouraged to take advantage of these FREE classes, even if they do not plan to proceed upward through the ranks. If you'd like to get a head start, you can review these right of way rules before attending your class.

Novice Class

The Novice class is an 'introductory' class. However, we teach rules and important information every Club member needs to know, so even if you already know how to sail, attendance is required if you plan to check out boats or become an active member of the Club. The Novice class is required to obtain a rank of Novice, Ensign I, or Ensign II.

Skipper Class

The Skipper class is more advanced. It is part of the requirements for those members attempting to obtain the higher ranks (Skipper, Captain, Master). It should be noted that completion of the Novice class is NOT a prerequisite for the Skipper class.

Class Offerings

We try to offer the opportunity to take a class after each regularly scheduled Sailing Club meeting. However, a class will ONLY be held if four or more people are interested in taking the class.

The Novice class is approximately one and one half hours long. The Skipper class lasts about three hours. At the end of each class, students will complete a test over the material presented in class. Bring paper and a pen or pencil with which to take notes.