The Downtown Sailing Center upcoming events

Volunteer Registration: Access-Ability Saturday Event (Saturday, September 05, 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Thank you for volunteering for the DSC’s Access-Ability Saturday Sailing Sessions!

These sessions would not be possible without your dedication, and we deeply appreciate your support.

Schedule

9:00 AM – Volunteer muster, setup, rigging, and launching of Hansa Access Dinghies; rig Sonars
9:45 AM – Participants arrive for check-in
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Sailing session
By 1:00 PM – Event concludes

Volunteer Roles

Volunteers support the program in a variety of essential positions, including:

Greeters / Escorts
Assist with setup, participant check-in, and escorting sailors down the docks to their boats and/or their skipper/crew.
Hansa 303 Rig & De-Rig Team
Set up and secure the adaptive Hansa dinghies before and after sailing.
Sonar Sailboat Skippers
Sonar Sailboat Crew
Safety Boat Operators
Prior powerboat experience required.
Dockside Assistance
Support with boat handling and participant transfers.
Hoyer Lift Transfer Assistance
Training required.

Questions?

For more information, email adaptive@downtownsailing.org or consult the Volunteer Handbook.

Thank you once again for your commitment to providing sailors with adaptive needs the opportunity to enjoy accessible sailing!

Participant Registration: Access-Ability Saturday Event (Saturday, September 05, 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The Downtown Sailing Center invites individuals with disabilities to join us every other Saturday morning for a free sailing experience in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Check-In: 9:45 AM
Sailing: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

If you are unable to attend, please email adaptive@downtownsailing.org to cancel so we can offer your spot to another sailor.

Our accessible docks include ramps, Hoyer lifts, and shaded areas to ensure a safe and inclusive environment. All necessary safety equipment, including life jackets, is provided.

Choose Your Sailing Experience

Relaxed Sonar Keelboat Sail

Sail in one of our Sonar keelboats (up to 3 guests) with an experienced skipper and crew for a calm, guided harbor experience.

Adaptive Hansa 303W Dinghy Sail

Sail independently or with a partner in a Hansa 303W—designed specifically for sailors who benefit from additional support.

Participants 18+ may also join our Hansa Racing Team; no prior experience required.

Hansa sailors enjoy the freedom of independent sailing. Volunteers will assist with launching and docking, but participants should feel comfortable managing their boat without assistance while on the water. Safety staff will always be nearby.

Accessibility & Accommodations

This program is free for participants with disabilities. You do not need to share details about your disability - just let us know what accommodations will help you safely access the docks and boats.

Our volunteer team is here to support you, whether you need assistance boarding or prefer someone else to steer. If at any point you’d like to return to shore, simply ask your skipper.

Registration & Volunteering

Registration opens one month before each event.

We also welcome volunteers in a variety of roles—no sailing experience necessary.

Join us for an unforgettable morning of freedom, fun, and sailing in Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor!

Frequently Asked Questions

For additional details, please see our Access-Ability Sailing Program FAQ.

View FAQs

To cancel or for questions: adaptive@downtownsailing.org

Volunteer Registration: Maryland School for Blind (Saturday, September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Volunteer Skippers and Crew needed for an Outreach Event with the Maryland School for the Blind!

As a statewide organization, Maryland School for the Blind provides outreach, education, and residential services for students to reach their fullest potential by preparing them to be a successful and well-rounded contributing members of their communities

The DSC is providing their clients a sailing experience on:

Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10am-12pm. Please arrive by 9am to muster, rig boats, and set up registration.

Thank you for giving back to your community!

Volunteer Registration: Access-Ability Saturday Event (Saturday, September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Thank you for volunteering for the DSC’s Access-Ability Saturday Sailing Sessions!

These sessions would not be possible without your dedication, and we deeply appreciate your support.

Schedule

9:00 AM – Volunteer muster, setup, rigging, and launching of Hansa Access Dinghies; rig Sonars
9:45 AM – Participants arrive for check-in
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Sailing session
By 1:00 PM – Event concludes

Volunteer Roles

Volunteers support the program in a variety of essential positions, including:

Greeters / Escorts
Assist with setup, participant check-in, and escorting sailors down the docks to their boats and/or their skipper/crew.
Hansa 303 Rig & De-Rig Team
Set up and secure the adaptive Hansa dinghies before and after sailing.
Sonar Sailboat Skippers
Sonar Sailboat Crew
Safety Boat Operators
Prior powerboat experience required.
Dockside Assistance
Support with boat handling and participant transfers.
Hoyer Lift Transfer Assistance
Training required.

Questions?

For more information, email adaptive@downtownsailing.org or consult the Volunteer Handbook.

Thank you once again for your commitment to providing sailors with adaptive needs the opportunity to enjoy accessible sailing!

Participant Registration: Access-Ability Saturday Event (Saturday, September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The Downtown Sailing Center invites individuals with disabilities to join us every other Saturday morning for a free sailing experience in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Check-In: 9:45 AM
Sailing: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

If you are unable to attend, please email adaptive@downtownsailing.org to cancel so we can offer your spot to another sailor.

Our accessible docks include ramps, Hoyer lifts, and shaded areas to ensure a safe and inclusive environment. All necessary safety equipment, including life jackets, is provided.

Choose Your Sailing Experience

Relaxed Sonar Keelboat Sail

Sail in one of our Sonar keelboats (up to 3 guests) with an experienced skipper and crew for a calm, guided harbor experience.

Adaptive Hansa 303W Dinghy Sail

Sail independently or with a partner in a Hansa 303W—designed specifically for sailors who benefit from additional support.

Participants 18+ may also join our Hansa Racing Team; no prior experience required.

Accessibility & Accommodations

Our volunteer team is here to support you, whether you need assistance boarding or prefer someone else to steer. If at any point you’d like to return to shore, simply ask your skipper.

Registration & Volunteering

Registration opens one month before each event.

We also welcome volunteers in a variety of roles—no sailing experience necessary.

Join us for an unforgettable morning of freedom, fun, and sailing in Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor!

Frequently Asked Questions

For additional details, please see our Access-Ability Sailing Program FAQ.

View FAQs

To cancel or for questions: adaptive@downtownsailing.org

Volunteer: JHU Residency Educational Session (Tuesday, September 29, 2026)

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:45:00 GMT

Chief Residents from Johns Hopkins Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are coming back for a morning of learning at the DSC.

For the past several years, residents have joined us to learn more about the community events available to their patients. We inform them about Access-Ability, demonstrate our usage of the Hoyer lift, and end the morning with a brief sail on the Hansas.

The morning's schedule:

8:00 AM – 8:05 AM: Introduction to our Adaptive Sailing Program

8:05 AM – 8:20 AM: Basic Sailing Concepts & Instruction

8:20 AM – 8:40 AM: Introduction to the Hansa 303 Sailboat

8:40 AM – 8:45 AM: Demonstration of transfers using Hoyer Lift

8:45 AM – 8:50 AM: Embark Group 1 onto Hansas

8:50 AM – 9:30 AM: Sailing - Group 1/Hoyer Lift - Group 2

9:30 AM – 9:40 AM: Exchange Groups

9:40 AM – 10:20 AM: Sailing - Group 2/Hoyer Lift - Group 1

10:20 AM – 10:25 AM: Disembark Group 2 from Hansas

10:25 AM – 10:45 AM: Introduction to an Adaptive sailor

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Derig the Hansa boats