Sailing Education Adventures

Inexpensive classes, great instructors (very enthusiastic and hard working), no rush classes, good boats, flexible schedule and free annual membership included in class fee. What more can you ask for? Absolutely great place to learn and continue sailing.

I would add that I started with no sailing experience whatsoever (couldn't even tie knots). In five classes, I am confident at the helm, started to really enjoy sailing and looking forward to open sails.

I'm still a fan, but I noticed that most of the other reviews are from avid sailing types or perhaps current members. which doesn't mean that they can't have a voice, but when the only entry is about SEA from a reviewer -- it is a bit suspicious. Also I just got a link today from an Ken Perez, the former president of SEA , he made some pretty serious remarks about the organization. -- I still love the group and while no group is perfect there is a love there of sea and sailing at SEA. Though Gary SUCKSSSSS big time as an instructor. I would rather pay $568 to OCSC than be taught another class by Gary H.

I had the best Keel Boat lesson today and it is accredited by the America Sailing Association Very important item when your trying to get charter a boat or sailing farther out, than to Sausalito or Almeda. Our instructor was Andy, a very witty and charming English Chap, who is an excellent instructor. I dare say my crew mates had a good time too and we really worked like team. I had an incredibly experience and I also feel that I learned a great deal today. I felt comfortable behind the tiler.

We just took lessons from SEA over the last two weekends and were SO impressed with the quality of the instruction, the reliability of the equipment and the value for the money. It's a huge time investment to commit two back-to-back weekends, 8:30-4:30. Phew. We were exhausted. But we learned so much, and from incredibly nice and knowledgeable people.

I spent a *while* researching the other classes available in the Bay Area and figured out from asking other people that it's important to consider the size of the craft you'll sail while learning: if you hope to sail larger boats (20' and up) then learning on smaller keel boats like SEA's 16.5 Catalinas is ideal. You get really good on small, more sensitive boats and that makes you better on the bigger boats. In contrast, if you learn sailing on a 28' boat with on-board motor, you won't have as strong a sense of wind, wave, the feel of the tiller or the trim of the sail. And, if you learn in dinghies (dagger- or centerboards), you'll end up in the cold water of the Bay!


Beyond the basics that I had hoped for in the course - teaching the syllabus required to learn all the basics of keelboat sailing - we were treated to great stories from the vast and varied experience of our instructors. They were warm, gregarious volunteers who shared their racing, cruising, crewing tales to round out our learning. Many of them had learned how to sail from SEA, too, and then were so turned on by what they'd learned that they kept coming back to classes and open sails.

I hope to make it to membership events like open sails and races, and to take future classes to hone my skills, but I'm also excited that I learned enough to go sail the 22' boat we just bought!

My first sailing lesson was, I belive, in the summer of 2000 or 2001, and though I have not continued taking classes (though I always say I plan to), I've done a lot more sailing and have learned a lot.

It's not a "yacht club" (and I say that in a fake snooty tone with my nose in air), but a non-profit sailing club with down-to-earth members who love to sail. The have a variety of lessons from beginning to skippering and even a sailing camp for kids. Best of all, once you've completed the intro course, you can crew on the monthly member sails and take the dinghys out for a spin on Sunday afternoons or Wednesday evenings. C'mon! Join and learn how to sail on the Bay! You KNOW you want to...you can find them at www.sailsea.org.

So good I joined with paid membership. They are now in San Rafael and still offer activities and classes for adults/children. homepage: http://www.sfsailing.org

I took the Intro to Sailing Course back in October and thought it was well presented and organized. The materials used were easy to read and understand, while at the same time very informative. But that was just the start. The real learning came from time spent in the boats, which there was plenty of. There was about 8 students in the class which put us about three to a boat plus the instructor. The boats are very easy for a first timer to sail and immediately get a feel for sailing fundamentals. Overall a great experience, which only strengthened my joy of sailing.

Looking forward to the next classes.

Just finished ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat) this past weekend. If you're considering taking ASA 101, then taking it with SEA is a no-brainer.

First of all, the price is lower than a lot of places in the area, yet in addition to the class the cost covers a year's membership in SEA. Which means lots of opportunities for try out your new skills on free sails. Brilliant. Looks like they have a lot of opportunities for many types of sails (racing, out-the-Gate, etc.), classes, workshops, etc., as one gets more experienced.
And SEA is a nonprofit, promoting sailing, education, conservation, etc., which makes me feel even better about choosing to learn with them.

The classes were laid-back, but without sacrificing importance of teaching, practice and learning. I believe most if not all of the instructors and assistants were *volunteers* which I find commendable and admirable. All were cool people (as were the other students), whom I look forward to knowing more and sailing with more as a member. We learned on small 16.5' Catalinas, which were very responsive and allowed you to "feel" what you were doing (right or wrong!).

The location is great too -- On beautiful, protected Richardson Bay off Sausalito.

I took an intro to sailing class last year and it was affordable and everyone was so friendly, everyone volunteers their time which makes it affordable and it means that people have a real passion for the sport.
This is a friendly club and everyone is extremely welcoming and I have been on a member sail, which basically means you can do it once you have passed the intro course- I was not very good, but it didnt matter, everyone helped me out

This is undoubtedly the best instruction and best value for sailing courses for adults, and summer camps for kids.

After scoping out all the schools in the area, SEA was by far the least expensive...plus their instructors are all salty-dog sailor volunteers, who are super passionate about sailing.

My sister sent her kids to their summer sail camp, and I guess they're coming back this year for the advanced camp.

Once you get a cheap membership, you have access to their whole fleet and all their events (Full moon cruises, BBQ's on Angel Island during Fleet week).

Highly recommend if you're looking for sailing instruction or just general sailing, and summer camps.

I took an intro class with my boyfriend in March/April of this year, and it was great! The down-to-earth members were in effect, and we learned so much in those four Saturdays. We have thus far been so impressed with the affordability and frequency of the classes offered, especially considering that the teachers are volunteering their time, and the multitude of sailing opportunities (Wednesday nights, Sunday afternoons and many other sails!). It's a fabulous organization!