Sailing Instructions

Sailing Instructions

Sailing lessons at various levels will be offered throughout the sailing season. Our talented SCWDC sailing instructors are prepared to teach you the ins and outs of skippering a boat across the water. Come join us to learn basic skills or enhance your current skills. Take a class and participate in the Chesapeake or Potomac sailing events to practice and fine-tune your skills.

Dedicated, safety-conscious instructors who adhere to the SCWDC tradition of ensuring that you have fun while you learn, teach our inexpensive lessons. The lessons are geared to a wide range of sailing abilities from novice to expert. ASA certification is awarded at the completion of each course. Space is limited so sign up early.

Basic Centerboard Sailing
Offered on the Potomac River at Belle Haven Marina to beginners and those wishing to brush-up on their skills. Students will learn how to jibe, tack, and adjust sails for wind changes, dock and perform man-overboard drills. They will learn the nautical language and parts of the boat. Graduates will qualify to take out centerboard boats in sheltered water. Students who successfully complete the course and test will receive certification from the American Sailing Association (ASA).

Classes will be held in May. See below for specific dates, cost and leader.

This class is for those who have taken the centerboard class or who feel comfortable taking a centerboard boat out and want to move up to a heavier boat and sail in more challenging conditions.  Students who successfully complete the course and test will receive certification from the ASA.

Classes will be held in June. See below for specific dates, cost and leader.

Basic Coastal Cruising
For those ready to take a small cruising boat out in the Cheseapeake Bay for an overnight sail, we offer the Coastal Cruising Course. Taught on the Chesapeake in boats about 30 feet long, the objective of this third-level class is to get the student ready to sail the local waters. Subjects taught are maneuvering in and out of a marina, boat preparation and inspection, safety, weather analysis, anchoring and emergency procedures. Students who successfully complete the course may take the ASA test for certification.

Dates: To be arranged based on interest
Cost: $290 members, $315guests
Leader: Pete Stogis, 301-680-0864 (pedsto@compuserve.com)

Land Based Coastal Navigation Classes
This class will be offered in 2012 and is open to anyone interested in learning to navigate. It includes reading charts and understanding the different types of charts. Participants will also learn about aids to navigation, plotting a course, and understanding how the tides and currents influence navigation. Learning to navigate is fun and important for those interested in sailing places beyond Belle Haven Marina. Look for more detailed information next year.

Dates: TBD. Will be offered in the evenings in October or November depending on participants’ availability. It will last 6 – 8 weeks.
Cost: TBD
Leader: Bernie Joiner, 703-560-2203, or choosri@aol.com

Location: The class will be held at Bernie’s house: 2300 Malraux Dr, Vienna, VA 22182