Adult Beginner Learn to Sail Lessons

2025 Registration Information:

The 2025 Adult Beginner Learn to Sail Lessons registration will open at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, February 13th. You may need to "refresh" your browser to view all of the Sessions' links in the red box below as they go live. This may take about three-five minutes from opening registration as the database updates and the links appear on the website.

How To Register for the Lessons:

Please scroll down to the red box on this page. When registration opens, you'll find white hyperlinks to click on to start the registration process. There will be a total 19 Sessions once they all appear. You only need to register and issue payment for one Session to complete the course.

When you open a Session, you’ll find the four dates that you’ll be required to attend to complete the course/certification. Please be sure your calendar will permit attendance for both of the weekend dates noted for that Session, as we’re unable to “break up” the Sessions and it is unlikely we’ll be able to reschedule you should we reach capacity.

Sell Out to Capacity Situations & Waitlist:

As the Sessions fill, you will see when you click on the link that there are zero spaces remaining available for that Session. However, there will be a "Join Waitlist" button available. We strongly recommend that you keep moving through the links until you find an open Session and secure your registration. Each Session class size is only eight students, so we typically reach sell out to capacity quickly.

Please Note: Your 12-Month Membership with DC Sail will not start until a few days prior to your first Lesson, so if you’re unable to get into a Session until July or August, for example, you will still be an active Member through the activation date in 2026!

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: $615.00

Super Membership and Adult Beginner Learn to Sail Package: $790.00

*The difference between Basic & Super Membership Details:

Level

Benefits

Basic 

P Access to rentals (After certification) 

P Discounted tickets for member & up to three guests aboard the “American Spirit” Sunset Sails

P Access to Member Only Sails and on Monday and Wednesday evenings which run mid-May to mid-September

P Invitations to DC Sail events such as our annual signature fundraising event, Cantina Cup Regatta & Awards Ceremony

Super

P Boat rental fees are waived

P Complimentary Refresher Course annually

P All benefits of the Basic Member level


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

By signing up for this course, you receive:
  • 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.

 

Adult Beginner Learn to Sail Lessons

26 Apr 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
03 May 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
10 May 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
17 May 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
31 May 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
07 Jun 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
14 Jun 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
21 Jun 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
28 Jun 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
12 Jul 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
19 Jul 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
26 Jul 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
02 Aug 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
09 Aug 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
16 Aug 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
23 Aug 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
06 Sep 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
20 Sep 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
27 Sep 2025 10:00 AM • DC Sail, Diamond Teague Park Piers, 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003

Curriculum

Included in the course fee, students will receive a copy of US Sailing's acclaimed Start Sailing Right! textbook and a US Sailing Small Boat Certification Red Book.

The course content is based on the US Sailing Small Boat Certification Curriculum and is divided into general skills and boat handling skills modules:

General Skill Modules

  • Wind Direction
  • Rigging and Derigging
  • Knots/Lines
  • Rules of the Road

Boat Handling Skill Modules

  • Departure/Landing
  • Steering
  • Safety Position
  • Tacking
  • Points of Sail
  • Jibing
  • Capsize Prevention and Recovery
  • Person Overboard Recovery
  • Getting Out of Irons
  • Upwind Sailing
  • Downwind Sailing
  • Capsize recovery

Prepare to Sail

What to wear:

Wear something you don't mind getting a little dirty and possibly wet and consider what the weather is going to be both in terms of temperature and wind speed. It tends to be a bit cooler on the water than on land (that's why sailing is a great summer activity).

Lifejacket - All DC Sail members are required to provide their own USCG Certified PFD (lifejacket). Types I, II, III, and V are all acceptable. Type III jackets are the most common. Following lessons and certification, members must also provide PFDs for any guests they bring to weekend rentals.

Shoes - Tennis sneakers or shoes designed for sailing have the best traction, but any sneaker of some sort will suffice (the softer the sole the better). You must wear closed-toe shoes or sports sandals (choco's or teva's). Flip-flops and open back shoes are not permitted.

Top - A t-shirt will often do the job, but if it's windy or rainy, a light fleece top, sweatshirt, rain-jacket or some combination will meet your needs.

Bottom - Shorts or pants depending on the temperature.

Rain Gear - If rain is forecast, please bring rain gear. We will evaluate weather conditions at the dock and will sail in the rain if there no severe weather is in the area. We do not cancel lessons due to rain.

What else to bring: 

Sunblock
Refillable Water Bottle & Snack
Hat

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    Certification Guarantee

    Our classes are designed around the US Sailing Small Boat Sailing Certification, and most students should be ready to pass the US Sailing Small Boat Sailing Certification test after completion of our four classes.

    Many of our students also take advantage of our Member Sails on Monday and Wednesday evenings  to get a little practice in during these fairly laid-back events before (and after) their check-out sails which occur during your first Flying Scot Rental. For Boat Rental Policies, please click here. Additional certification is required by the District of Columbia prior to any Boat Rental.

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    Questions?

    Please call or email us. Email to Traci Mead, Executive Director, or call (202) 547-1250.

    Stay Connected

    DC Sail is the community sailing program of National Maritime Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
    Business Mailing Address: 650 Wharf Street SW, Unit 20, Washington, DC 20024
    Diamond Teague Park Piers Waterfront Address: 99 Potomac Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
    The Wharf Marina Waterfront Address: 650 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
    Telephone: (202) 547-1250 · Email: Traci Mead, Executive Director - tmead@dcsail.org 
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