Adult Beginner Learn to Sail Lessons

2025 Registration Information: Please add a reminder to your calendar to visit this web page in early February 2025. We will have an update posted for when the registration will open for the 2025 sailing season.

Thank You!

Please click here for our Membership Benefits and Boat Rental Policies. 

DC Sail's beginner sailing course ensures that with practice you will learn the basics of the sport of sailing. We want you to not only learn how to sail but also to continue building your skills. DC Sail is dedicated to making your unique experience something that will last a lifetime. 

COST:

Basic Membership and Adult Beginner Learn to Sail Package: $575

Super Membership and Adult Beginner Learn to Sail Package: $750

Membership Benefits and Boat Rental Policies can be found by clicking here.

• Adult Beginner Learn to Sail Lessons: Sessions are composed of four lessons (Lesson 1, 2, 3, 4) to complete the course over two Saturdays and two Sundays, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 4 days of instruction (10-12 hours total *weather dependent).
• A 12-month membership to DC Sail (required) which provides access to all of our programs and allows for plenty of sailing practice. Membership is activated a few days prior to the first lesson and active for one year from that date. 
• Class size is either 8 or 12 students. There are four students on the boat with their Instructor on the boat with them.
• US Sailing Small Boat Sailing Certification (nationally recognized).
• Ample opportunities to practice your skills on weeknights by attending Members Only Sails. Sailing is a complex sport and requires many hours on the water with opportunities to learn something new every time you leave the docks. Members Only Sails take place Mondays and Wednesdays evenings, mid-May to mid-September.
• Includes a "Start Sailing Right!" textbook & the US Sailing Red Log Book. 
  

Instruction takes place in 19-foot Flying Scot sailboats. DC Sail follows the  the US Sailing Small Boat Sailing Curriculum. US Sailing is the governing body of the sport of sailing in the United States. This certification ensures that you are receiving the best quality of sailing education.

REGISTRATION: To register for your lesson package, click on a Session from the red box below - the dates for the four lessons will be posted inside the registration link. Please note that your attendance is required for all four lessons within a Session. We are unable to split Sessions due to logistics. (Full payment must be made at the time of registration. Pending registrations without payment will be auto-cancelled by the system after 15 minutes. Please have your payment information available at the time of registration.)

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:

DC SAIL CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

• Requests for cancellation 30+ days from start date would receive a full refund.
• Requests for cancellation within 30 days to 14 days from the start date would receive a 75% refund.
• Requests for cancellations with less than 14 days prior to the start date would be non-refundable. *Consideration of extraordinary circumstances will be at the discretion of the Executive Director.

WEATHER:

DC Sail's programs and dock remain open when it is raining. However, we will close operations if there is a serious threat of lightning or if the wind speed exceeds 15 miles per hour. If severe weather prevents us from holding the lessons on the water, Instructors will lead lessons on land if possible.

See below for more information related to Curriculum, Prepare to Sail, Guarantee Policy and Certification Information.