The Downtown Sailing Center upcoming events

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course -

Wednesday through Sunday (9am-4pm daily)

Course Description:

The US Sailing Basic Keelboat course is an intensive course designed to teach you all aspects of handling a keelboat, including sailing technique, water safety (including rescuing a person in the water), knots, vocabulary, and an introduction to weather. This is a nationally recognized certification course which, once completed, will allow you to progress to more advanced US Sailing courses including Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising.

Please read this page thoroughly to decide if this course is right for you, and if so, which option is best for you. This 5-day schedule is our fastest-paced option, and is best suited for those with some sailing experience.

The course culminates with written and practical exams, and in order to earn the Basic Keelboat Certification, each student must successfully demonstrate the ability to responsibly skipper and crew a simple daysailing keelboat in familiar waters in light to moderate wind and sea conditions. The skills tested are listed here.

Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Basic Keelboat textbook. Upon successful completion of the exams, students will receive a logbook, sticker, and one-year US Sailing membership.

Please note that there is a firm administrative course change/cancellation fee of $35 per course for switching dates or cancelling. Full cancellation policy is on the FAQ page, located here - please read carefully as refunds are not guaranteed for cancellation within 14 days of class start date.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

The 5-day course takes place from 9am - 4pm each day, with a lunch break in the middle of the day - you can bring your lunch or there will be time to go out to a local fast-food spot. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the day on the water.

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

Parking is available on site in the gravel lot of the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Classes meet behind the BMI pavilion, near the gate to the Downtown Sailing Center main dock. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to orient yourself and meet your instructor. The restroom onsite is a port-a-potty.

Life jackets are required to be worn and will be provided. Please wear close-toed shoes for safety. We recommend dressing for the weather (it can feel cooler on the water than on land!) and bringing a full water bottle, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a great attitude.

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course (Thursday, October 01, 2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course -

Wednesday through Sunday (9am-4pm daily)

Course Description:

Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Basic Keelboat textbook. Upon successful completion of the exams, students will receive a logbook, sticker, and one-year US Sailing membership.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course (Friday, October 02, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course -

Wednesday through Sunday (9am-4pm daily)

Course Description:

Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Basic Keelboat textbook. Upon successful completion of the exams, students will receive a logbook, sticker, and one-year US Sailing membership.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Introduction to Sailing (Level 1) Weekend Course (Saturday, October 03, 2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Sailing Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

Have you always wanted to learn how to sail? Do you want to become a capable and confident crew member at the Downtown Sailing Center? If you said YES, Introduction to Sailing is the course for you!

The course is designed to help new sailors feel comfortable on a boat and give you the basic skills needed to competently crew on a small keelboat with an experienced skipper. During this course, you will learn the following:

Basic sailboat-handling skills, including helming the boat and trimming the sails
How to interpret and react to the wind
How to tie the most frequently-used sailors’ knots
How to rig and de-rig a small keelboat
Basic on-the-water safety skills
Sailing vocabulary, including parts of the boat and sails, terms for effective crew communication on the water, points of sail, and more.

We believe in “learning by doing” at the DSC, so the majority of your time will be spent on the water! An experienced instructor will guide you through the curriculum and be on the boat with you at all times. The maximum number of students per boat is 3, to allow everyone plenty of time to learn to drive the boat and trim the sails.

If you have sailing experience but are rusty or did not learn from professionals, we strongly recommend taking this course. Our curriculum is guided by US Sailing materials and you will learn proper and safe sailing techniques.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

The two-day course takes place from 9am - 4pm each day, with a lunch break in the middle of the day - you can bring your lunch or there will be time to go out to a local fast-food spot. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the day on the water.

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course (Saturday, October 03, 2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course -

Wednesday through Sunday (9am-4pm daily)

Course Description:

Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Basic Keelboat textbook. Upon successful completion of the exams, students will receive a logbook, sticker, and one-year US Sailing membership.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Introduction to Sailing (Level 1) Weekend Course (Sunday, October 04, 2026)

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Sailing Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

Have you always wanted to learn how to sail? Do you want to become a capable and confident crew member at the Downtown Sailing Center? If you said YES, Introduction to Sailing is the course for you!

Basic sailboat-handling skills, including helming the boat and trimming the sails
How to interpret and react to the wind
How to tie the most frequently-used sailors’ knots
How to rig and de-rig a small keelboat
Basic on-the-water safety skills
Sailing vocabulary, including parts of the boat and sails, terms for effective crew communication on the water, points of sail, and more.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course (Sunday, October 04, 2026)

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course -

Wednesday through Sunday (9am-4pm daily)

Course Description:

Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Basic Keelboat textbook. Upon successful completion of the exams, students will receive a logbook, sticker, and one-year US Sailing membership.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Introduction to Sailing (Level 1) Weekdays Course (Thursday, October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Sailing Weekday Course

Monday & Tuesday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

Have you always wanted to learn how to sail? Do you want to become a capable and confident crew member at the Downtown Sailing Center? If you said YES, Introduction to Sailing is the course for you!

Basic sailboat-handling skills, including helming the boat and trimming the sails
How to interpret and react to the wind
How to tie the most frequently-used sailors’ knots
How to rig and de-rig a small keelboat
Basic on-the-water safety skills
Sailing vocabulary, including parts of the boat and sails, terms for effective crew communication on the water, points of sail, and more.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Introduction to Sailing (Level 1) Weekdays Course (Friday, October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Sailing Weekday Course

Monday & Tuesday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

Have you always wanted to learn how to sail? Do you want to become a capable and confident crew member at the Downtown Sailing Center? If you said YES, Introduction to Sailing is the course for you!

Basic sailboat-handling skills, including helming the boat and trimming the sails
How to interpret and react to the wind
How to tie the most frequently-used sailors’ knots
How to rig and de-rig a small keelboat
Basic on-the-water safety skills
Sailing vocabulary, including parts of the boat and sails, terms for effective crew communication on the water, points of sail, and more.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Taste of Sailing: 3 Hour Introductory Sail (Friday, October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Taste of Sailing - 3 Hour Introductory Sail

Have you ever thought, "I've always wanted to try sailing…"? If the answer is YES, then the DSC’s 3-hour Taste of Sailing course is for you!

This experience-based course will teach you the basics of helming a sailboat, trimming sails, and will introduce you to some cool nautical lingo. We believe in “learning by doing”, so the majority of your time will be spent on the water with one of our experienced instructors.

You’ll learn while sailing around Baltimore’s beautiful waterfront and have the opportunity to experience the city in a whole new way!

Each boat will have a maximum of 4 students, so there will be plenty of opportunities to try your hand at the tiller, handle the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights.

We welcome everyone from the solo sailor (we’ll pair you up with a group!) to family groups. This is a great opportunity for an educational family outing that can be enjoyed by all. We require that children be at least 7 years of age. If your group size is larger than 4, please contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org) for options.

Boats and Facilities

This course is taught aboard our Sonar class keelboats. These 23' boats have a large cockpit and heavy keel to provide stability. They are specifically made to not tip over, so you don't need to worry!

Please see our Adult Ed FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy.

The on-site bathroom is a port-a-potty.

If the event is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up or we are able to add more boats.

Payment is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot - space is limited so don't delay!

Intermediate Sailing (Level 2) Weekend Course (Saturday, October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Intermediate Sailing (Level 2): Keelboat Skipper Skill Building

Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

Are you looking to take your sailing skills to the next level? This intermediate-level course is for competent crew looking to advance their skills in boat-handling. This course is ideal for those with solid crewing skills (see below) who are looking to skipper a small keelboat - the skills learned in this course are tested during the DSC Skipper Checkout.

During this fast-paced course, you will learn how to:

Plan and execute departures and returning to the dock under sail, from all wind directions
Perform a person overboard recovery
Heave-to
Reef sails
Adjust sail controls in different wind conditions

To decide if you are ready for this class, please review the following questions - if you can say YES to all of them, this is a great time for you to sign up! This is not a class to be taken immediately after the Intro to Sailing weekend - practice time (we recommend a minimum of 20 hours on the water, or 6 member sails) in between is required to make sure you get the most out of this Intermediate level class.

Do you know how to rig and derig a keelboat?
Can you smoothly execute tacks and jibes, handling both the tiller and mainsail simultaneously?
Are you adept at identifying where the wind is coming from, able to identify your current point of sail, and trim the sails appropriately?
Can you drive the boat smoothly and efficiently from a port tack beam reach to a starboard tack broad reach?
Do you know vocabulary for basic parts of the boat and sails, running and standing rigging, and points of sail?
Can you tie a bowline, cleat hitch, stopper knot, and square knot?

If you're not sure if this is the right class for you, our Adult Education Manager would be happy to answer your questions - email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Taste of Sailing: 3 Hour Introductory Sail (Saturday, October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Taste of Sailing - 3 Hour Introductory Sail

Have you ever thought, "I've always wanted to try sailing…"? If the answer is YES, then the DSC’s 3-hour Taste of Sailing course is for you!

You’ll learn while sailing around Baltimore’s beautiful waterfront and have the opportunity to experience the city in a whole new way!

Each boat will have a maximum of 4 students, so there will be plenty of opportunities to try your hand at the tiller, handle the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights.

Boats and Facilities

Please see our Adult Ed FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy.

The on-site bathroom is a port-a-potty.

If the event is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up or we are able to add more boats.

Payment is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot - space is limited so don't delay!

Demystifying Docking: Skills Workshop (Saturday, October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Demystifying Docking: Skills Workshop

Docking under sail can feel intimidating — but with the right planning and practice, it becomes a manageable and rewarding skill.

This 3.5-hour workshop is designed for competent crew members who want to confidently plan and execute departures from and returns to the dock under sail aboard a small keelboat.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll gain hands-on experience with:

Planning and executing departures in different wind directions
Sailing backwards out of the slip
Docking in upwind, downwind, and crosswind conditions
Coaching your crew through their roles during departure and docking
Creating and executing a backup plan if your initial approach doesn’t go as expected

How the Workshop Works

The session begins on land with a brief chalk talk outlining the techniques and strategies for each type of approach.

You’ll then spend the majority of the workshop on the water practicing departures and dockings multiple times, with personalized coaching from a skilled instructor.

Each participant will receive a handout summarizing the different docking approaches for future reference.

Prerequisites

This is not a beginner course. Participants should feel comfortable with:

Tacking
Jibing
Basic helm skills (steering and trimming on all points of sail)
Wind awareness
Rigging and derigging a small keelboat
Basic sailing vocabulary (parts of the boat)

Course Details

Audience: Adult Education (participants must be at least 16 years old)
Length: 3.5 hours (no meal break)
Availability: Participants must be available for the full session, as boats will spend most of the time on the water
Boats Used: J/22 or Sonar keelboats — stable, heavy-keel boats that will not tip over during your sail

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. For family-based sailing education options, please email info@downtownsailing.org.

Location & Arrival

Parking is available in the gravel lot at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI).
Classes meet behind the BMI pavilion near the gate to the Downtown Sailing Center main dock.
Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and meet your instructor.

What to Bring & Wear

Close-toed shoes (required)
Weather-appropriate clothing (it feels cooler on the water!)
Full water bottle
Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
A great attitude

Life jackets are required and will be provided.

Note: The on-site restroom is a port-a-potty.

Registration & Policies

Payment is due at the time of registration. Space is limited — reserve your spot early.
If the workshop is full, you may join the waitlist. We will contact you if space becomes available or additional boats are added.
There is a firm $35 administrative fee per course for switching dates or cancelling.
Refunds are not guaranteed for cancellations within 14 days of the class start date.

Please review the full cancellation policy and additional information on our Adult Ed FAQ page before registering.

If the event is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up or we are able to add more boats.

Payment is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot - space is limited so don't delay!

Intermediate Sailing (Level 2) Weekend Course (Sunday, October 11, 2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Intermediate Sailing (Level 2): Keelboat Skipper Skill Building

Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

During this fast-paced course, you will learn how to:

Plan and execute departures and returning to the dock under sail, from all wind directions
Perform a person overboard recovery
Heave-to
Reef sails
Adjust sail controls in different wind conditions

Do you know how to rig and derig a keelboat?
Can you smoothly execute tacks and jibes, handling both the tiller and mainsail simultaneously?
Are you adept at identifying where the wind is coming from, able to identify your current point of sail, and trim the sails appropriately?
Can you drive the boat smoothly and efficiently from a port tack beam reach to a starboard tack broad reach?
Do you know vocabulary for basic parts of the boat and sails, running and standing rigging, and points of sail?
Can you tie a bowline, cleat hitch, stopper knot, and square knot?

If you're not sure if this is the right class for you, our Adult Education Manager would be happy to answer your questions - email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Taste of Sailing: 3 Hour Introductory Sail (Saturday, October 17, 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Taste of Sailing - 3 Hour Introductory Sail

Have you ever thought, "I've always wanted to try sailing…"? If the answer is YES, then the DSC’s 3-hour Taste of Sailing course is for you!

You’ll learn while sailing around Baltimore’s beautiful waterfront and have the opportunity to experience the city in a whole new way!

Each boat will have a maximum of 4 students, so there will be plenty of opportunities to try your hand at the tiller, handle the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights.

Boats and Facilities

Please see our Adult Ed FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy.

The on-site bathroom is a port-a-potty.

If the event is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up or we are able to add more boats.

Payment is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot - space is limited so don't delay!

Introduction to Sailing (Level 1) Weekend Course (Saturday, October 24, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Sailing Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

Have you always wanted to learn how to sail? Do you want to become a capable and confident crew member at the Downtown Sailing Center? If you said YES, Introduction to Sailing is the course for you!

Basic sailboat-handling skills, including helming the boat and trimming the sails
How to interpret and react to the wind
How to tie the most frequently-used sailors’ knots
How to rig and de-rig a small keelboat
Basic on-the-water safety skills
Sailing vocabulary, including parts of the boat and sails, terms for effective crew communication on the water, points of sail, and more.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Taste of Sailing: 3 Hour Introductory Sail (Saturday, October 24, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Taste of Sailing - 3 Hour Introductory Sail

Have you ever thought, "I've always wanted to try sailing…"? If the answer is YES, then the DSC’s 3-hour Taste of Sailing course is for you!

You’ll learn while sailing around Baltimore’s beautiful waterfront and have the opportunity to experience the city in a whole new way!

Each boat will have a maximum of 4 students, so there will be plenty of opportunities to try your hand at the tiller, handle the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights.

Boats and Facilities

Please see our Adult Ed FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy.

The on-site bathroom is a port-a-potty.

If the event is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up or we are able to add more boats.

Payment is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot - space is limited so don't delay!

Person Overboard Skills Workshop (Saturday, October 24, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Person Overboard Recovery: Skills Workshop

Knowing how to safely recover a crew member from the water is one of the most important skills in sailing.

This 3.5-hour workshop is designed for competent crew members who want to learn and practice Person Overboard (POB) recovery — a required skill for the DSC Skipper Checkout.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge, including:

What to do immediately if someone falls overboard
How to execute a Quick Stop recovery (with multiple practice runs)
What to do if your return approach is too fast or too slow
How to safely assist a crew member back onto the boat
What safety equipment is available on DSC keelboats and how to use it
How to make an emergency call over the VHF radio

You will also be introduced to the Figure 8 recovery method, another effective way to return to a person in the water under sail.

How the Workshop Works

The session begins on land with a brief chalk talk outlining the recovery procedures.

You’ll then spend the majority of the workshop on the water practicing the maneuvers. Each participant will receive a handout diagramming the recovery process for future reference.

Prerequisites

This is not a beginner course. Participants should feel comfortable with:

Tacking
Jibing
Basic helm skills (steering and trimming on all points of sail)
Wind awareness
Rigging and derigging a small keelboat
Basic sailing vocabulary (parts of the boat)

Course Details

Audience: Adult Education (participants must be at least 16 years old)
Length: 3.5 hours (no meal break)
Availability: Participants must be available for the full session, as boats will spend most of the time on the water
Boats Used: J/22 or Sonar keelboats — stable, heavy-keel boats that will not tip over during your sail

For family-based sailing education options, please email info@downtownsailing.org.

Location & Arrival

Parking is available in the gravel lot at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI).
Classes meet behind the BMI pavilion near the gate to the Downtown Sailing Center main dock.
Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and meet your instructor.

What to Bring & Wear

Close-toed shoes (required)
Weather-appropriate clothing (it feels cooler on the water!)
Full water bottle
Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
A great attitude

Life jackets are required and will be provided.

Note: The on-site restroom is a port-a-potty.

Registration & Policies

Payment is due at the time of registration. Space is limited — reserve your spot early.
If the workshop is full, you may join the waitlist. We will contact you if space becomes available or additional boats are added.
There is a firm $35 administrative fee per course for switching dates or cancelling.
Refunds are not guaranteed for cancellations within 14 days of the class start date.

Please review the full cancellation policy and additional information on our Adult Ed FAQ page before registering.

Introduction to Sailing (Level 1) Weekend Course (Sunday, October 25, 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Sailing Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

Have you always wanted to learn how to sail? Do you want to become a capable and confident crew member at the Downtown Sailing Center? If you said YES, Introduction to Sailing is the course for you!

Basic sailboat-handling skills, including helming the boat and trimming the sails
How to interpret and react to the wind
How to tie the most frequently-used sailors’ knots
How to rig and de-rig a small keelboat
Basic on-the-water safety skills
Sailing vocabulary, including parts of the boat and sails, terms for effective crew communication on the water, points of sail, and more.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Intermediate Sailing (Level 2) Weekend Course (Saturday, October 31, 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Intermediate Sailing (Level 2): Keelboat Skipper Skill Building

Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

During this fast-paced course, you will learn how to:

Plan and execute departures and returning to the dock under sail, from all wind directions
Perform a person overboard recovery
Heave-to
Reef sails
Adjust sail controls in different wind conditions

Do you know how to rig and derig a keelboat?
Can you smoothly execute tacks and jibes, handling both the tiller and mainsail simultaneously?
Are you adept at identifying where the wind is coming from, able to identify your current point of sail, and trim the sails appropriately?
Can you drive the boat smoothly and efficiently from a port tack beam reach to a starboard tack broad reach?
Do you know vocabulary for basic parts of the boat and sails, running and standing rigging, and points of sail?
Can you tie a bowline, cleat hitch, stopper knot, and square knot?

If you're not sure if this is the right class for you, our Adult Education Manager would be happy to answer your questions - email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Intermediate Sailing (Level 2) Weekend Course (Sunday, November 01, 2026)

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Intermediate Sailing (Level 2): Keelboat Skipper Skill Building

Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)

Course Description:

During this fast-paced course, you will learn how to:

Plan and execute departures and returning to the dock under sail, from all wind directions
Perform a person overboard recovery
Heave-to
Reef sails
Adjust sail controls in different wind conditions

Do you know how to rig and derig a keelboat?
Can you smoothly execute tacks and jibes, handling both the tiller and mainsail simultaneously?
Are you adept at identifying where the wind is coming from, able to identify your current point of sail, and trim the sails appropriately?
Can you drive the boat smoothly and efficiently from a port tack beam reach to a starboard tack broad reach?
Do you know vocabulary for basic parts of the boat and sails, running and standing rigging, and points of sail?
Can you tie a bowline, cleat hitch, stopper knot, and square knot?

If you're not sure if this is the right class for you, our Adult Education Manager would be happy to answer your questions - email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.

Details:

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).

This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!

Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).

Single-Handing Techniques: Clinic for BKI Candidates / Instructors (Sunday, November 01, 2026)

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

**This clinic is only for DSC Keelboat Instructors. **

BKI Candidates! Here's your chance to start working on your single-handing skills before the evaluative course in the Spring. During the clinic, you'll have a chance to learn best practices for boat handling, POB maneuvers, and departing/docking a J/22 single-handed.

Are you an instructor but not planning to take BKI this year? Join us - knowing the basics of single-handing can be confidence-building and it's great knowledge to have when instructing a group of novices.

We will have a chalk talk on land first followed by on-the-water practice, so dress for the weather! There will be at least two people on each boat for safety and to allow for learning from each other.

You must be a strong skipper with intentions to take the BKI course this spring OR a current DSC instructor to participate in this event. If you've already expressed interest in BKI certification, you should have received a code from Laura to sign up - anyone interested in BKI who didn't receive the code can email laura@downtownsailing.org.

Demystifying Docking: Skills Workshop (Saturday, November 07, 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Demystifying Docking: Skills Workshop

Docking under sail can feel intimidating — but with the right planning and practice, it becomes a manageable and rewarding skill.

This 3.5-hour workshop is designed for competent crew members who want to confidently plan and execute departures from and returns to the dock under sail aboard a small keelboat.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll gain hands-on experience with:

Planning and executing departures in different wind directions
Sailing backwards out of the slip
Docking in upwind, downwind, and crosswind conditions
Coaching your crew through their roles during departure and docking
Creating and executing a backup plan if your initial approach doesn’t go as expected

How the Workshop Works

The session begins on land with a brief chalk talk outlining the techniques and strategies for each type of approach.

You’ll then spend the majority of the workshop on the water practicing departures and dockings multiple times, with personalized coaching from a skilled instructor.

Each participant will receive a handout summarizing the different docking approaches for future reference.

Prerequisites

This is not a beginner course. Participants should feel comfortable with:

Tacking
Jibing
Basic helm skills (steering and trimming on all points of sail)
Wind awareness
Rigging and derigging a small keelboat
Basic sailing vocabulary (parts of the boat)

Course Details

Audience: Adult Education (participants must be at least 16 years old)
Length: 3.5 hours (no meal break)
Availability: Participants must be available for the full session, as boats will spend most of the time on the water
Boats Used: J/22 or Sonar keelboats — stable, heavy-keel boats that will not tip over during your sail

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. For family-based sailing education options, please email info@downtownsailing.org.

Location & Arrival

Parking is available in the gravel lot at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI).
Classes meet behind the BMI pavilion near the gate to the Downtown Sailing Center main dock.
Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and meet your instructor.

What to Bring & Wear

Close-toed shoes (required)
Weather-appropriate clothing (it feels cooler on the water!)
Full water bottle
Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
A great attitude

Life jackets are required and will be provided.

Note: The on-site restroom is a port-a-potty.

Registration & Policies

Payment is due at the time of registration. Space is limited — reserve your spot early.
If the workshop is full, you may join the waitlist. We will contact you if space becomes available or additional boats are added.
There is a firm $35 administrative fee per course for switching dates or cancelling.
Refunds are not guaranteed for cancellations within 14 days of the class start date.

Please review the full cancellation policy and additional information on our Adult Ed FAQ page before registering.

If the event is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up or we are able to add more boats.

Payment is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot - space is limited so don't delay!

Sewing Basics and Sailrite Machine Orientation (Wednesday, December 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Sewing Basics and Sailrite Machine Orientation

Are you interested in helping with the Canvas Committee this year, but have never used a sewing machine? This hands-on event will teach you the basics of sewing using a Sailrite sewing machine.

We will cover:

How to thread the machine
Setting up the bobbin
Reviewing the different machine settings (diagonal vs straight, stitch length, etc)
Making some basic stitches, learn to turn a corner, and get used to the foot pedal and hand crank on the Sailrite.

This event will be held in the Liberty Room, on the 3rd floor of the brick building along Key Highway. You'll receive an email on the day of the class with building entry instructions.

If the event is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!