Sailing One is the gateway course and foundation of the Core Curriculum. It is not just a beginner class. It is designed to fill in any missing skills for those with some sailing experience but without prior formal training.
It covers all the fundamentals and best practices for sailing as well as safety, rules of the road, right of way, courtesy, tides and current, required equipment, weather warnings, capsize recovery, and seamanship – all the things every responsible boater should know. The first week is spent on the water in double kayaks learning and practicing the elements of water safety and acclimating to varying weather and water conditions. The second week focuses on sailing fundamentals along with the components of the Tera Sailboats and how they affect the boat’s movement through the water. It is a prerequisite for Sailing Two and an ideal prep course for the State boating certificate course/exam (a requirement for powerboaters in CT). In fact, we use the same student manual.
All Core courses blend some shoreside teaching with on-the-water training. Sailing One uses a fleet of simple single-sailed daggerboard dinghies, the RS Tera. Two students per boat, who alternate at the helm. We also spend a week investigating channels, shallows, and tidal currents in tandem kayaks.
The minimum age is 9. There is a brief swim test in the Sound on the first day. Bigger classes are separated into age groups. All Core class Juniors supply and bring their own USCG approved PFD personal flotation device (i.e., life jacket) each day. We recommend Type III PFDs for program use.
Select the blue course ID to learn more and register
| Monday – Friday | Time | Sailing One | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason | June 10 through June 21 |
||
| 3:30 – 6:30 | S1 – 0 |
| Session 1 | June 24 through July 5 |
9:30 – 12:30 | S1 – 1A |
| 1:30 – 4:30 | S1 – 1P |
| Session 2 | July 8 through July 19 |
9:30 – 12:30 | S1 – 2P |
| 1:30 – 4:30 | S1 – 2P |
| Session 3 | July 22 through August 2 |
9:30 – 12:30 | S1 – 3A |
| 1:30 – 4:30 | S1 – 3P |
| Session 4 | August 5 through August 16 |
9:30 – 12:30 | S1 – 4A |
| 1:30 – 4:30 | S1 – 4P |