ADULT EDUCATION

The Downtown Sailing Center is an accredited US Sailing School that provides courses for all sailing levels. Our comprehensive curriculum helps every student reach their full potential through a balance of structure and individualized attention.

A frequently asked question is whether you have to have taken a course or know how to sail before joining the DSC as a member. The answer is NO, you can join and start coming to member events (such as Wednesday/Sunday Member Sails) before taking a course. We always recommend our brand new sailors take the Intro class, if able to, as this provides a good structured way to learn the basics, but it is not required. 

Courses 

• Taste of Sailing - Fun 3-hour primer

• Introduction to Sailing (Level 1) - Our most popular course for basic sailing skills. Become a competent and confident crew member!

• Intermediate Sailing (Level 2): Keelboat Skipper Skill Building - Skill building class for those looking to advance to DSC skipperhood, previous experience required.

• Advanced Sailing (Level 3) - This course will cap off the skills learned in Levels 1 and 2 with advanced instruction and will wrap up with the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification. Previous experience required.

• US Sailing Basic Keelboat (BK) Certification - Comprehensive and intensive course culminating with the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification on-the-water and written tests. See course page for full details on structure and the examinations.

• Performance Sailing - Learn to sail FASTER, and to sail with a spinnaker! Solid keelboat skills are required.

• US Sailing Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising Certification - Learn to sail an auxiliary powered cruising sailboat. These courses culminate in US Sailing certifications. 

• Private Lessons & Special Events - For those looking for a custom learning experience or to sail with a group.

Questions, or not sure which option is best for you? Our Adult Education Manager will be happy to work with you to plan your sailing education! Email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.

Our Instructors and Fleet

Our highly-trained instructors have years of experience teaching sailing. Many have been teaching for well over a decade, while we also have fresh faces coming up through the ranks. Most are DSC skipper members and established members of the local sailing community. Our program focuses on true competency and foundational sailing skills.

Our curriculum is based on US Sailing principles, and you'll learn to sail via a combination of land-based chalk talks, dockside demonstrations, and practice. We believe in "learning by doing" and you will spend the majority of any class out on the water!

Keelboat Lessons are typically taught in our J/22s, which offer the perfect balance of comfortable size and nimble feedback. Larger groups will use our Sonar sailboats which are also nimble and fun boats with a bigger cockpit space.

Members of the Downtown Sailing Center receive special discounts on education courses. If you live in the Baltimore area, we strongly recommend joining at the crew level so you can get straight to the water for practice before and after your lessons! Click Here for details on Member Sails.

Special Offers!

Non-members who take a class and join the DSC at the completion of the class may receive the class membership discount as a discount off of membership rates.  (This does not apply to Taste of Sailing.)

Any crew member that becomes a skipper within three months of taking a DSC class will receive a discount off of the upgrade, as follows:

• After taking a 2-day class, receive $100 off the Skipper upgrade cost.
• After taking the full Basic Keelboat class, receive $200 off the Skipper upgrade cost.

Any member who becomes a Cruising Skipper Upgrade within 6 months of taking the US Sailing Basic Cruising class at the DSC will receive $100 off the Cruising Skipper upgrade cost.

Email info@downtownsailing.org to take advantage of these offers. 

Private Lessons

Private lessons are available for up to three adults per boat. Lessons can be tailored to all levels, from beginner to US SAILING Basic Keelboat Certification. There is a 2 hr. minimum requirement for private lessons, and we recommend three hours for maximum educational benefit. 

If you are interested in private lessons, please email lessons@downtownsailing.org. 

COVID-Conscious Sailing Lessons

Upon request, we can offer private lessons with additional COVID precautions in place. These lessons will be 100% outdoors. All students and the instructor will wear masks for the duration of the session. Additional accommodations can be discussed in advance.

Availability is subject to instructor schedules.

Please contact lessons@downtownsailing.org for additional details and to inquire about booking a lesson!

Special Events 

Are you interested in a group outing such as a corporate team build or an outing with friends? We can work with you to tailor a fun and educational sailing event for your group! A favorite event for groups is a 4 hour event that includes a sailing lesson followed by a fun race or on-the-water scavenger hunt.

If you are interested in planning a special event or team-build, please email info@downtownsailing.org.