Sailing School FAQ

Every student is provided with a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket, safety harness, and whistle. Our boats are equipped with emergency flares, first aid kits, VHF radios, fire extinguishers, and emergency signaling devices. We also carry throw bags, emergency rudders, and backup communication equipment on all training vessels.

All instructors are trained in emergency response procedures and carry VHF radios for immediate communication with our shore support and Coast Guard if needed. We maintain a safety boat in the training area during all lessons. In case of medical emergencies, instructors are CPR/First Aid certified and can provide immediate assistance while coordinating with emergency services.

Yes, we prioritize safety over schedule. Lessons are cancelled when winds exceed 20 knots for beginners (25 knots for advanced students), during thunderstorms, fog with visibility under 1 mile, or when small craft advisories are issued. We monitor weather conditions continuously and will reschedule lessons at no additional cost when conditions are unsafe.

Man overboard procedures are part of our curriculum. All students wear properly fitted life jackets at all times. Instructors are trained in quick-stop and other recovery techniques. We practice these procedures in controlled conditions so students understand the process. Our boats are equipped with life rings, throw bags, and emergency ladders specifically for recovery situations.

Capsize recovery is taught in shallow, protected waters with safety boats standing by. Students must demonstrate swimming proficiency before this training. We use stable training dinghies designed for easy recovery. Instructors are in the water with students during practice, and we maintain a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio for these exercises.

We offer US Sailing certified courses from Basic Keelboat (101) through Coastal Passage Making (106). Our programs include Basic Sailing, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, Advanced Coastal Cruising, and Offshore Passage Making. Each course includes comprehensive safety training and emergency procedures relevant to that skill level.

No prior experience is required for our beginner courses. However, students must be able to swim 50 yards unassisted and tread water for 10 minutes. We recommend basic swimming proficiency and comfort in the water. Our instructors will assess your comfort level and adapt the teaching approach accordingly.

We maintain small class sizes to ensure personalized attention and safety. For basic courses, we limit groups to 4 students per instructor. Advanced courses have maximum 3 students per instructor. During safety-critical exercises like capsize recovery or man overboard drills, we maintain even smaller ratios with additional safety personnel.

We welcome students ages 12 and up for our regular courses. Students under 16 must have parent/guardian consent and demonstrate swimming proficiency. We offer special youth programs with enhanced safety protocols for younger sailors. Adult supervision may be required for students under 14, depending on the course and conditions.