Small group lessons for adults of all skill levels

All adult courses will start with “chalk talks”, rigging demonstrations, or short lessons appropriate to your skill level. With the help of your instructor and classmates, you will then rig and enjoy a sail on Pleasant Bay.

We recommend you check your phone and email before coming for your lesson, in case we have had to cancel the sailing session due to unsafe weather conditions. We do our best to give you as much notice as possible, but the weather on Pleasant Bay can change quickly. We do not sail in sustained winds exceeding 15 MPH, in thunderstorms, or in dense fog.

Fridays will be used as make-up days for all of our adult lessons. Please set aside the Friday evening of your class week, just in case one of your lesson days needs to be rescheduled due to foul weather.

Level 1: Beginner

Flying Scots:
M-Th 4:30 – 7 PM, weekly

This course is taught in Flying Scots and is designed for beginners, as well as intermediate sailors looking for a good review.  You will sail with an instructor and 1-2 other participants. Topics covered will include safety on the water, reading wind, parts of the boat and sail, Flying Scot rigging, mooring procedures, steering and trimming, tacking, and jibing. Students will learn to control the boat as a team, at which point they may be ready for our Intermediate courses.

Level 2: Intermediate

Flying Scots:
MW 4:30 – 7 PM, weekly

You will work as a team with 1 other participant to control a Flying Scot, with your instructor coaching from a chase boat nearby.  This is a good fit for semi-independent sailors that are looking to gain confidence. Topics covered will include sailing upwind, tacking and jibing review, and mooring procedures. This course includes the opportunity to pass a skills check—a pass will allow you to rent boats from our core fleet.

Level 3: Advanced

420’s:
TTh 4:30 – 7 PM, biweekly

This course is taught using our 420 fleet, with participants sailing in pairs and the instructor coaching from a powerboat. You will learn how to rig and sail a 420, explore basic racing techniques, and practice roll tacking. This course is designed for sailors that have mastered Flying Scot sailing and are looking for a new challenge.