Learn the fundamentals of sailing and have fun at the same time! The DSC offers beginning-
and intermediate level sailing classes for adults. Each session is a series of four Monday
night lessons, four Tuesday night lessons or two weekend days (two consecutive Saturdays).
All of our instructors are US Sailing certified and classes are taught on our
J/22 keelboats and Sonar 23's.
These boats are fast, maneuverable, comfortable and safe.
Classes are small and informal. No more than three students are assigned to one instructor, and
the majority of lesson time is spent on the water. You’ll spend lots of time practicing!
These courses teach water safety, sailing theory, rigging, seamanship rules and navigation.
We use the Sailing Association's
certification book to help students track their progress and determine what additional
experience they need.
Level 1: Beginning Sailing
For students who know little or nothing about sailing. Experienced instructors teach the
fundamentals of water safety, how to rig boat, wind direction, sail theory, points of sail,
tacking, jibing, rules of road, and navigation aids. After this class, students feel comfortable
about actively crewing a twenty-two foot keelboat with an experienced skipper.
Level 2: Intermediate Sailing
This class prepares students to become skippers. You'll learn how to handle the boat in strong winds,
how to sail the boat in and out of the dock, and how to perform crew overboard drills. Crew
overboard prepares you for a water rescue, an intense drill that brings all of your skills
together. After this class, students will have the knowledge to do a skipper checkout
with DSC staff.
See Schedule ->
FAQ
I have done some sailing before - what level class should I take?
The Level 1 class is designed for people who know little or nothing about sailing. But if
it has been a long time or you are very rusty, we highly encourage you to take Level 1 again.
While some of the class material will be review, you may learn some details that will improve
the overall sailing experience in the future. All too often, people skip over the basics
and never fully grasp the fundamentals. In addition to sailing fundamentals, you will
learn about the DSC boats and procedures as well as the specific issues related to sailing
in the Baltimore Harbor.
Level 2 will introduce you to skipper related fundamentals such as depowering your sails,
crew overboard procedures and sailing the boat in and out of the docks. You will learn how
to control the boat rather than letting the boat control you.
If you still feel that you are ready for Level 2, please feel free to discuss your
previous sailing experience and goals with the DSC staff. Often, we have students enter
Level 2 who are not ready, holding back the entire class.
What if I have never sailed before in my life?
Perfect! You’re not alone; many returning DSC crew members and skippers started with little or
no sailing experience. The classes are fun and safe. The boats you’ll learn on are
non-capsizable, and our certified instructors are held to the high standards of US
Sailing Association. Plus it’s a great way to meet people!
Do you recommend weekend or weekday sessions?
Both sessions will provide the same twelve hours of instruction; however, the weekday
programs are encouraged because it spreads the material over more time. The weekend class can
be considered a cram session, and students tend to get saturated with the learning experience.
The weekday session makes it easier to manage, plus the weekday session exposes you to more wind
conditions. Each situation will make you a better sailor. Not everyone though has the
flexibility to take the weekday session, so the weekend sessions fill more quickly by people
with limited schedules. If you’re interested only in weekend sessions, sign up early! We
recommend you choose a session that best fits your schedule and allows you to attend
all of the classes.
How will the recreational Open Sails help me learn to sail?
Unlike most other sailing programs, the DSC doesn't cut you off after the lessons. Your membership
includes access to our popular recreational activities that offer a venue to practice and
reinforce your skills.
The skippers who participate in open sails are volunteers helping with our educational mission.
At one time, they were crew members just like you. Now it's their turn to teach others.
One of the clear advantages of the recreational sails is sailing with a diverse group of people.
Everyone has a unique perspective, and you will recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each
perspective. Additionally, by getting more time on the water, you will get accustomed to
different wind conditions. Each experience will make you a better sailor.
During the Sails, the skippers will rotate the crew around in equal intervals, so everyone
has an equal opportunity to practice each position.
If I finish Levels 1 and 2, will I be able to become a skipper?
Our classes are designed to teach people the skills involved with becoming a skipper at the DSC.
The classes are pivotal, but it requires that you come down to practice your sailing skills.
In general, you should get twenty hours of practice before advancing to the next level. One
of the key skills of a good skipper is being able to manage your crew. Often you will have
crew that know little or nothing about sailing, and you will need to be able to communicate
with and direct them.
It’s not a race. The best skippers are people who worked on the details, sometimes taking
classes twice. We encourage you to get a good foundation, because your overall sailing quality
and enjoyment will depend on how much practice you put in before becoming a skipper.
Do I get a certificate after I complete a class?
Our classes are designed to help you earn a
Sailing Association Small Keelboat certification. The United States Sailing
Association was established by Congress as the national
governing body for the sport of sailing. Our class curriculum was developed according to their
guidelines and materials. Each DSC instructor is certified by the US Sailing Association and will
sign off on your skills book upon successful completion of the course. The DSC is an organizational
member of US Sailing Association and has won several awards, including Best Seasonal Community Sailing
Center and Best Program Director.
What if I miss a class?
It is very difficult, but not impossible, to make up a missed class. We recommend that students
sign up for a session that allows them to attend each class. Classes often fill to capacity with
exactly three students per boat. Most often arranging a makeup class means you will take the place
of another student who fails to attend. This is not always a guarantee.
Is there a way to take a class earlier in the season?
The DSC classes fill up very quickly, and we are always trying to add more boats and instructors
to keep up with demand. Throughout the summer, we may add boats or notify our members of last
minute cancellations. Request that your name be added to the waiting list. Usually within a
week or two before a new class begins, the DSC will send out an e-mail to all potential students
who might be interested in taking the earlier class. Of those who respond, we will use the waiting
list to make the final selection. The waiting list is organized by the time in which we received your
application and money.
What if I want to reschedule my class?
The DSC requires 72-hour advance notice if you want to reschedule your class to a later session
Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my class?
The DSC requires 72-hour advance notice to provide a full refund.
What is the weather policy?
Students should come to class rain or shine. If sailing conditions are unsafe, the lead instructor
will continue the day’s lesson with land-based instruction under the pavilion. We do however sail
in light showers, so please be prepared with the appropriate rain gear. While we cannot guarantee
makeup classes for individuals, we have in the past scheduled group makeup classes when an entire
lesson is cancelled due to foul weather. Students are still expected to show up for class, as that
decision will be made on the spot.
Is sailing a safe sport?
Like any sport, there are risks. But DSC's mission is to teach water safety skills. Safety is our
number one priority, followed by education and having fun. We believe Baltimore is one of the safest
places to learn because it is far enough inland to be protected by harsh weather. When it is blowing
20 knots in Annapolis, it is blowing 10 knots in Baltimore.
The harbor is sheltered from large waves (except boat wake), yet we enjoy a consistent sea breeze
during the summer evenings. If there are any mishaps, there are plenty of boaters and docks to
support us, and the fire and marine police units are only five minutes away with a cell phone call.
The J/22 is a very stable boat and will not capsize. It has a 1000 pound lead keel that prevents
the boat from tipping. We recognize that adults want to learn how to sail comfortably and the J/22
is the perfect boat to meet that goal.
Will your classes give us a license to operate power boats in Maryland?
No. Maryland law states that anyone born on or after July 1, 1972 must have a certificate of boating
safety education to operate a motorized vessel. This includes powerboats and sailboats with an
outboard engine. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers a certified, four hour boating
safety class. Click Here
for more information.
How can I get a fuller description of the classes?
Please feel free to stop by the office and talk with the DSC staff. We will show you the instruction
book and curriculum that clearly lays out the course. Click here
for directions.
For further questions, send an E-mail to education@downtownsailing.org
or call the DSC office: (410) 727-0722.
See Registration ->