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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:
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.
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.
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!
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).
FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THIS COURSE. SPACE IS LIMITED.
Basic Keelboat 5-Day Course
Wednesday through Sunday (9am-4pm daily)
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.
The 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.
Basic Keelboat Weekends Course
Saturday/Sunday over 3 Weekends (6 Days, 9am-4pm daily)
Please read this page thoroughly to decide if this course is right for you, and if so, which option is best for you. This 6-day schedule is our medium-paced option, and is best suited for those with at least a little sailing experience.
**This clinic is a Skipper Diversity Initiative practice. **
We will host clinics every Saturday from Sept 27 through Oct 25th. Please list skills you would like to practice in the form when you sign up - we will make boat groups on the day of the clinic so that people working on similar skills can practice together.
If you were invited to attend but did not receive the signup code, please email laura@downtownsailing.org.
The Skipper Diversity Initiative is a pilot program with the goal of increasing diversity amongst the DSC skipper population. The goal is for this cadre of sailors to graduate as skippers, thereby allowing us to expand programs like WoW, BIPOC Sailing Events, and more. Any questions about the program, email info@downtownsailing.org.
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.
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!
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.
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): Keelboat Skipper Skill Building
Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)
Are you looking to take your sailing skills to the next level? This intermediate-level course is for those competent crew members looking to advance their skills in boat-handling. This course is ideal for those with solid crewing skills (see below) who are looking to advance to the DSC skipper level - the skills learned in this course are tested during the DSC Skipper Checkout.
During this fast-paced course, you will learn how to:
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.
(This is a private booking, only the booked group has the registration code. Contact lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up your own private Taste of Sailing!)
Tuesday through Friday PLUS Sunday (9am-4pm daily)
*Saturday will be skipped due to this being the likely date for the 2025 Baltimore Marathon*
Advanced Sailing (Level 3): Basic Keelboat Certification Completion Weekend Course
Are you looking to round off your sailing education with the US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification? Are you already a competent sailor, with the ability to smoothly execute dockings & departures under sail, the Figure 8 POB, and the Quick Stop?
This advanced-level course is for those who have successfully completed the Level 1 and 2 courses at the DSC and have had adequate practice time to solidify skills. This course will complete the Basic Keelboat curriculum on Day 1, and on Day 2 you will complete the US Sailing Basic Keelboat written and practical exams.
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 take this class! This is not a class to be taken immediately after the Intermediate Sailing course - practice time in between is required to make sure you get the most out of this Advanced level class. In particular, you MUST be able to execute both types of POBs and dock smoothly under all wind conditions. These skills will not be practiced in this course, but you WILL be tested on them during Day 2.
For those who have not taken the Level 1 and 2 courses at the DSC, if you can answer all of the above questions affirmatively, you are welcome to join us! If you have any questions as to your readiness and wish to consult with the Adult Education Manager, please email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.
If you have taken both Level 1 and Level 2 at the DSC, we will discount your cost of this course so that the total cost of this self-paced Basic Keelboat option is the same as the 5 or 6 day option. Please email lessons@downtownsailing.org if this applies to you.
The Downtown Sailing Center
1425 Key Highway, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21230(410) 727-0722 • info@downtownsailing.org
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