Spinnaker Sailing: Skills Workshop
Are you interested in learning to sail with a symmetrical spinnaker? This event is intended for sailors who are already competent crew with the main and jib and interested in further developing their skills with the "third sail". This course will be taught aboard our J22 keelboats.
During this workshop, you will learn:
- How to rig the spinnaker
- How to hoist and douse
- How to trim the spinnaker
- How to jibe
- How to use the spinnaker pole
Each student will be exposed to the different crew positions on the boat while flying - foredeck, pit, and trim.
Prior to attending this workshop, you should feel comfortable with the below skills as this is not a beginner course:
- Tacking
- Jibing
- Basic Helm Skills and ability to steer and trim for each of the points of sail
- Wind awareness
- Rigging and Derigging a small keelboat
- Vocabulary - parts of the boat
DSC staff will carefully monitor the wind conditions for this event, and will reschedule if the winds are not conducive for beginning spinnaker training.
Please note that there is a firm administrative course change/cancellation fee of $35 per course for switching dates or cancelling. Full cancellation policy is on the FAQ page, located here - please read carefully as refunds are not guaranteed for cancellation within 14 days of class start date.
Details:
This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).
The course is 3.5 hours in length without a meal break. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the session on the water.
This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!
Parking is available on site in the gravel lot of the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Classes meet behind the BMI pavilion, near the gate to the Downtown Sailing Center main dock. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to orient yourself and meet your instructor.
Life jackets are required to be worn and will be provided. Please wear close-toed shoes for safety. We recommend dressing for the weather (it can feel cooler on the water than on land!) and bringing a full water bottle, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a great attitude.
Please see our Adult Ed FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy.
The on-site bathroom is a port-a-potty.
If the event is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up or we are able to add more boats.
Payment is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot - space is limited so don't delay!
