I learned how to sail in just 3 days, YES 3 days. The Carlyle Sailing Association hosts an adult seminar every Spring and Fall where beginners can learn how to properly sail. They provide you with the necessary tools to be successful, including letting you use their boats. The seminar is a mix of both classroom and on the water learning. I went into this class with zero knowledge of how to sail and came out of it feeling confident in what I was doing. I also met some incredible people through this class including the instructors who take a genuine interest in assuring your skills develop each day.

While completing the class, you have 3 different types of boats to choose from: Monohull Flying Scott, Cabin Boat San Juan 21, or a Catamaran Hobie 18 (which is the one I was on.) If you are unsure of which boat will be best for you, the class director will call you a few weeks prior to help you decide, and they will also go over any questions or fears you may have.  

Here is a day-by-day guide to what I experienced during the class...

 

Day 1

On the first day, I arrived around 8:30 a.m. to find my assigned seat where I had a U.S. Sailing reference textbook ready to go for me. Breakfast was set up downstairs, and I was shocked at how many different options they offered. 9:00 is when the class began, which started with some quick introductions from our instructors, and then we began going over different parts of the sailboat. From there, we learned all the things you need to know before heading out on the water, such as right of way rules for boaters. We also talked about how you would start to notice wind patterns. With that being said, the wind wasn’t the best on day 1, but the bad wind made for a calm day on the water. After all of our classroom lessons, the real fun began.

 

We got broken up into groups and headed out to our sailboats to get them ready to go. We watched the first group set up their sailboat, and then once they got theirs up and running it was time for us to put together ours. Don’t let this scare you, we had a cheat sheet and asked our instructor plenty of questions. They really encouraged us throughout the class to ask any and all questions. Once we got out on the water, we went through the steps of how to properly sail. The only break you took on Day 1 was for lunch and trust me you do not want to miss out on these lunches. They were delicious and a great time to bond with your classmates and get to know your instructors.

 

While eating, I was able to learn my knots. Then after lunch, we went through questions that came up while sailing that you maybe didn’t have the chance to ask at the moment. Then it was back out to our sailboats. Once you are done sailing for the day, you bring your sailboat in and return it exactly how you found it (yes, undoing everything you did before). At the end of the day, you will get a written evaluation by your instructor. This is important because you can see how you are progressing each day. After that, everyone is invited to go out to dinner together if they wish, and anyone who isn’t going is dismissed.  

 

Day 2

The wind was better on day 2! Because the conditions were better, we wasted no time getting out on the water. We went over tacks, jibes, and points of sail then headed for the lake. Each day, you are partnered with a new instructor and a new crew member so that you can learn how to communicate with different people out on the water. Setting up your boat prior to going out may seem like a daunting task initially, however, it gets easier, and you become faster at it every time you do it.

 

When we were out on the water we practiced our tacks, jibes, and my boat did their capsize drill. Capsizing may sound intimidating, because it is obviously something you try to avoid doing, but it is a necessary skill to have in your back pocket when on a sailboat. The only break you take this day is also for lunch.

Throughout the day, we were being recorded on our skills and once we headed in, we went through everyone’s video footage together so we could get visuals of what we were doing well and things we needed improvement on. Then we did our one-on-one evaluations with our instructor. Some people grabbed dinner together, and the rest of us hit the road to get some sleep for the final day. 

 

Day 3

Day 3 starts the same as the rest with breakfast, and then you go out and sail your little heart out! If you did not do a capsize drill on the previous day, you do it on the 3rd day. We also watched a capsize drill on a monohull so that we would know what to do if we ever took one out.

The third day is when you will really start to feel confident in what you are doing. If you are even slightly considering taking this class, DO IT.

 

What items do you need to bring with you?

Before your class begins, you will get an email listing the items you need to bring with you. Here are the things they recommend as well as things I think are beneficial:

Sun protection is a huge one. This may seem obvious but without it you will be miserable. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and wear light-colored clothes. If you choose to sail on a catamaran, also bring bug spray with you (you push your boat in from the beach rather than on a dock). Bring some sort of boat shoe, I wore gym shoes, however I wish I would’ve had something specifically designed for boats, so it had better grip. A towel and a full change of clothes will come in handy, so you don’t have to sit in wet clothes on your drive home. If you fear pulling a rope will hurt your hand, then bring gloves. Some people used old biking gloves or fingerless gloves they had laying around their house. This next item is certainly optional, but if you worry about hitting your head, investing in a sailing helmet may be a good idea for you. And last, but certainly not least…bring a lifejacket. This is the most important tool that you need when on the water. They were able to provide people with one if they did not have it, but if you can bring one that fits you well and is comfortable, that will make all the difference on the water.

How much does the seminar cost?

For how much knowledge you gain in this course, the cost is a steal. The 3-day adult sailing seminar is only $390 for a non-member and $340 for a primary or associate member of the Carlyle Sailing Association. This cost includes your U.S Sailing Reference Textbook, and your breakfast and lunch all 3 days.

Why should people try sailing?

There are many reasons to try sailing. If traveling is a main driver for you then sailing offers you the freedom to travel to unique destinations for a more affordable price than a motorboat. You learn how to communicate with others on the water and gain an entire community of people who all are passionate about the same thing. There is also no age limit to sailing, meaning it is something you can enjoy your entire life. If you are unsure if it is for you, try it, it never hurts to learn a new skill and who knows you could fall in love with it.

Would you recommend this program?

Absolutely! I won’t deny that it certainly was challenging at times, but the feeling of being out the water is second to none. There is nothing better than unplugging from life and reconnecting with nature. When you are out on a sailboat you have to be in tune with the natural world around you, and I think that is an experience that everyone should have.  

 

For more information on the Carlyle Sailing Association visit: Carlyle Sailing Association - Home (csa-sailing.org)