Sometimes we hear unfounded rumors from would-be sailors that the sport is expensive, elitist, requires boat ownership, or is best learned during childhood. None of these are true. In reality, sailing is available to persons of all ages, abilities, and price points. Enrollment in a sailing course at a private school or community sailing center can be a wonderful point of entry and a practical way to explore how accessible sailing really is.
[caption id="attachment_94240" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Beginner keelboat class chalk talk at J/World Annapolis.[/caption]
“Sailing is a lifelong activity that can be enjoyed at many levels,” says Jeff Carlson, owner of Sail Solomons, a sailing school that also offers a sailing club and charter opportunities. “Sailing can be done close to home, or it can take you to a far corner of the world. It can mean a quiet cruise in a little boat, a day sail across the Bay, or a weeklong trip. Or, it can mean flying to an exotic location and chartering a boat there. Beyond cruising, some sailors seek the adventure of ocean passages and still others want the intensity and thrill of racing. So sailing is an activity that is very broad in how it can be enjoyed.”
“Sometimes new sailors try to learn from friends, but that’s not always the best way,” advises Carlson. “With a sailing school, you’ll get 100 percent attention from a dedicated professional. While your friends may be good sailors, they may or may not be good teachers. If you’ve never been sailing, we can teach you in four days to be certified to take out a 22-foot boat. If you’ve been sailing for years, we can help you sharpen your skills, and if you own your boat we can help you get the best potential out of it. We’ll even come to you and train you aboard your own boat. If you sail on the Bay and want to go farther, we can teach you about weather, navigation, and handling emergencies. Our American Sailing Association (ASA) certifications are recognized virtually all places that rent boats for charter.”
[caption id="attachment_94241" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
How many activities are there in which three generations can participate in a meaningful way? Photo courtesy of Sail Solomons[/caption]
Carlson continues, “Look for a school with qualified instructors. Our instructors aren’t high school kids. They’re licensed U.S. Coast Guard captains and certified sailing instructors with years of experience. They can adapt their knowledge and apply it to your specific situation. Our instructors are passionate about sailing, teaching, and working with people. A good personality and humor are also important components in good instruction.”
“Price is important, but shouldn’t be prohibitive,” says Carlson. “Learning to sail is not as expensive as most people think, and sailing can be very affordable through clubs and other organizations that rent boats. Just as there are many different ways to sail, the amount of money a sailor spends can vary greatly. I know many sailors who are on a shoestring budget. Sailing can be done on a few hundred dollars a year or as much as many thousands per year.”
[caption id="attachment_94242" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
In a sailing school class everyone should get a turn driving the boat. Photo courtesy of Sail Solomons[/caption]
“Sailing is a wonderful intergenerational activity,” says Carlson, who taught his wife to sail and whose four children grew up on sailboats. “At Sail Solomons we focus mostly on teaching adults, although sometimes we have young students aboard if we’re teaching an entire family. In our program, kids will not be told to keep out of the way. We believe everybody onboard can contribute in a meaningful way. Children can act as lookouts, handle lines, and take the helm. Sometimes, if a parent wants a specific course such as a bareboat certification, the whole family will be aboard. There are many jobs the kids can be doing— raising sails for example.
“Intergenerational sailing is common because seasoned sailors have a wealth of knowledge about how to handle different situations, and younger sailors have the energy and ability to jump up on the bow and grab a line. We just taught a weeklong catamaran course in Grenada with students from age 15 to 77. There’s not a lot of activities where you see an 80-year old and a 10-year old participating together, but you’ll see it often in sailing,” Carlson concludes.
To find a list of certified sailing schools in your area, check out Start Sailing Now!
