This one-day refresher is for our sailors who have taken a full sailing class either with us or somewhere else…
This one-day refresher course will review and reteach any of the necessary sailing skills to get you comfortable to rent a boat on your own. This will be on our 19ft Flying Scot up to 4 people per boat plus the instructor.
3 six-hour lessons for beginners and more
Yes, a camp for adults…
! This 3-day course (6 hours per day) for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills offers the same lessons as our 2-day Adult Basic Lessons, but with one extra day for practice!
A 2-day course for experienced day sailors…
This class is for the experienced day-sailor who is ready to tackle something a little bit bigger, like a 25′ Catalina! This exciting 2-day course (6 hours each day) covers basic keelboat sailing, including preparation to sail, crew operations, sail theory, leaving and returning to dock or mooring, boat control in confined waters, overboard recovery, and safety.
US Sailing certificate is available for an additional $60, which covers your Keelboat book, test, answer key, logbook, hologram sticker, and US Sailing membership.
A 2 six-hour lessons for beginners…
This 2-day course (six hours per day) is for beginners who like to start at the very beginning. You’ll learn aboard the classic 14′ Sunfish, a fun solo sailor boat, or for two if you wish. Be prepared to get wet and have a great time!
A 2-day course on-board a 19 ft Flying Scot…
Good for beginners or as a refresher course. Teaches steering, use of sails (main & jib), docking, tacking, jibing, and basic nomenclature. RAIN or SHINE. Two-6 hour sessions (12 hours total)
For Both Youths and Adults
You’ve learned how to sail, now come show off your new skills under the supervision of a sailing instructor…
The will make sure that you’ve rigged your boat properly, remind you of the areas you are able to sail, and answer any questions. Once you’re out sailing, the instructor will be at the dock and/or cruising around in the safety boat to offer you tips. This is not a lesson, but our instructors will certainly make sure things are going well for you.
You may bring one guest with you on the boat at no additional charge. Two to four people are allowed per boat for sailing the Flying Scots, and one to two people per boat for sailing a Sunfish. Sailing solo on Flying Scots will be up to the instructor’s discretion. If you are here for the session on your own and the instructor feels it necessary, he/she will match you up with another sailor or group of sailors.
Space is limited so sign up early. If the session is full, it is a good idea to put yourself on a waiting list so we can contact you about availability changes.
Youth Sailing Day Camps are a great way to spend summer days having fun, making new friends, and building confidence while sailing on the Potomac River at Washington Sailing Marina in Alexandria, VA.
Hands-on experience is the best way to learn to sail, so our emphasis is on learning by doing. Weather permitting, kids will be sailing 90% of the time and should wear shorts, shirts, rubber-soled shoes (no flip flops), and bring other clothes appropriate for the forecast. Students may bring their lunch in a cooler or buy lunch at the café.
Students may also compete for trophies in a youth regatta held in August. Camp confirmations along with necessary paperwork will be sent out prior to the start of enrolled sessions. Completion of all paperwork is required for participation.
All camps are held at Washington Sailing Marina in Alexandria, VA and run Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 4pm and include five 6.5 hour sessions (32.5 hours total). All camps meet rain or shine. US Sailing curriculum is followed throughout each level and a textbook may be purchased the first day of class for $15 (purchase is optional).
Open to first-timers as well as returning sailors…
To accommodate students not following the public school schedule, pre-camp is offered before most other camps begin. So, gather your friends and come on down.
Covers sailing basics for first-timers and those with limited experience…
This 5-day course covers the basics of sailing, the parts of the boat, steering, use of a sail, capsizing, and safety issues. Perfect for a first-time sailor or for children with limited sailing experience. 2 students per boat.
5-day course on a Flying Scot…
Over this fun 5-day course, you’ll learn boat handling, points of sail, sail trim (main & jib), terminology, and basic navigation aboard a Flying Scot. 4-5 students per boat.
Learn to maneuver a Windsurfer on your own…
This fun 5-day course will give students the necessary skills they need to maneuver a windsurfer independently around a small course in a contained area. The first session will be on a simulator to “get the feel.”
Prerequisite – Basic Sailing Card
Must be 12 years or older, over 90lbs.
Learn keel board cruising aboard a 25-ft. Catalina…
This fun-filled 5-day course aboard a 25ft Catalina covers basic keelboat sailing, including preparing to sail, crew operations, sail theory, leaving and returning to dock or mooring, boat control in confined waters, overboard recovery, and safety. Includes test and card.
Prerequisite: Basic and Intermediate Camps – Skipper, First Mate or Crew rating
For sailors with a Sunfish Skippers license…
This camp will be on board our Sunfish Aquafins and is for sailors who have a Sunfish Skippers license, preferably during the summer of 2018 (exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis). Since you already know how to handle this boat on your own, there will be very little land time. You’ll be off to the river for adventures, races, games, and more outside our cozy lagoon at the Washington Sailing Marina. Two campers per boat with solo sailing sessions for each camper during this week.
Prerequisite Skippers license in Sunfish (at least 2 years sailing experience).
Learn to sail a high-performance Hobie Cat…
Hop onboard a high-performance Hobie Cat for this awesomely fun 5-day camp. The course covers boat handling with multi-hulls, hull flying, points of sail, sail trim (main & jib), racing techniques, tuning the rig, and extra features such as adjustable jib car travelers.
Prerequisite – Intermediate Skipper card required.
Must be 12 years or older and weigh at least 90 lbs.
For advanced sailors learning to race…
During this 5-day course on board a Flying Junior or 420, the focus will be on developing boat handling and racing skills through an array of specific drills designed to demonstrate the various elements of racing.
Prerequisite – Intermediate Skipper’s Card required
Must be 12 years or older and weigh at least 90 lbs.
For Both Youths and Adults…
You’ve learned how to sail, now come show off your new skills under the supervision of a sailing instructor. The will make sure that you’ve rigged your boat properly, remind you of the areas you are able to sail, and answer any questions. Once you’re out sailing, the instructor will be at the dock and/or cruising around in the safety boat to offer you tips. This is not a lesson, but our instructors will certainly make sure things are going well for you.
You may bring one guest with you on the boat at no additional charge. Two to four people are allowed per boat for sailing the Flying Scots, and one to two people per boat for sailing a Sunfish. Sailing solo on Flying Scots will be up to the instructor’s discretion. If you are here for the session on your own and the instructor feels it necessary, he/she will match you up with another sailor or group of sailors.
Space is limited so sign up early. If the session is full, it is a good idea to put yourself on a waiting list so we can contact you about availability changes.