Sailing: Adult Programs

It’s never too late to learn how to sail.

Whether you sailed as a child or always wish you had, our adult instructional sailing programs can get you out on the water and operating a sailboat with confidence in no time. We offer a variety of boats, instruction levels, and class times to fit your preferences and schedule – no more excuses!

Adult Program progression

Discovery

Discovery Phase programs introduce particpants to sailing and expose them to various water activites. The focus is on introduction and encouraging interest and participation.

Private Lessons

First Sail

First Sail with Foam Brewers

Development & Challenge

Development Phase programs deliver the core fundamentals of sailing. The focus should be on nurturing interest from prior program and developing reliable basic knowledge and fundamentals. There should also be a healthy challenge element to drive improvement and expand comfort zones. 

Basic Dinghy Class

Basic Keelboat Class

Lake Access Rentals

Intermediate Skills
Clinic

Mastery

Mastery Phase programs build off fundamentals to facilitate confident and competent independent sailors. The focus should be on perfecting skills and creating an in-depth sailing knowledge. Sailors in this phase should be mostly independent and require little help.

Friday Night Dinghy Racing

Racing Clinics and Seminars

Keelboat Spinnaker Clinic

US Sailing Certified Instructor

Adult Sailing Programs

First Sails

If you aren’t sure if sailing is right for you or if you do not have time for a full course, this is the program that will get you out on the water. In partnership with US Sailing’s First Sail program, we are offering several opportunities throughout the summer for you to have your first sail.

First Sail

Take Your First Sail on Lake Champlain If you aren’t sure if sailing is right for you or if you do not have time for a full course this is the program that will get you out on the water. We are offering opportunities all summer and into the fall for you to have your first sail. The program is conducted on a keelboat with a certified US Sailing instructor on board.

Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Saturday, September 20, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

$55.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

June 07, 2025
June 28, 2025
July 05, 2025
July 19, 2025
August 02, 2025
August 09, 2025
August 16, 2025
September 06, 2025
September 20, 2025

Women Only: First Sail

Take Your First Sail on Lake Champlain If you aren’t sure if sailing is right for you or if you do not have time for a full course this is the program that will get you out on the water. We are offering opportunities all summer and into the fall for you to have your first sail. The program is conducted on a keelboat with a certified US Sailing instructor on board. Open to all who identify as women.

Sunday, July 20, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Sunday, August 17, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

$55.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

July 20, 2025
August 17, 2025

First Sail with Foam Brewers

Take Your First Sail on Lake Champlain If you aren’t sure if sailing is right for you or if you do not have time for a full course this is the program that will get you out on the water. We are offering opportunities all summer and into the fall for you to have your first sail. The program is conducted on a keelboat with a certified US Sailing instructor on board. Followed by social hour at Foam Brewers Community Partner: Foam Brewers

Sunday, June 8, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Saturday, September 13, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

$65.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

June 08, 2025
June 29, 2025
July 06, 2025
July 26, 2025
August 03, 2025
August 23, 2025
August 30, 2025
September 07, 2025
September 13, 2025

Women Only: First Sail with Foam Brewers

Take Your First Sail on Lake Champlain If you aren’t sure if sailing is right for you or if you do not have time for a full course this is the program that will get you out on the water. We are offering opportunities all summer and into the fall for you to have your first sail. The program is conducted on a keelboat with a certified US Sailing instructor on board. Followed by social hour at Foam Brewers Community Partner: Foam Brewers Open to all who identify as women.

Saturday, June 21, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

$65.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

June 21, 2025

Learn to Sail: Dinghy

Dinghies offer an excellent opportunity to get an active, hands-on introduction to the sport of sailing.

Learn to Sail Dinghy

Dinghies offer an excellent opportunity to get an active, hands-on introduction to the sport of sailing. Our boats are 12-14 feet long and seat 2 adults. You will learn how to right a capsized boat on your first day of class! These fun vessels bring you close to the water, allowing you to feel how the waves and wind affect the boat immediately. An added bonus to this 15-hour course is the thrill of getting wet while recreating on Lake Champlain. Includes a class textbook, Learn Sailing Right.

Sundays, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

$415.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

June 29 - July 06, 2025
July 19 - July 26, 2025

Women Only: Learn to Sail Dinghy

Dinghies offer an excellent opportunity to get an active, hands-on introduction to the sport of sailing. Our boats are 12-14 feet long and seat 2 adults. You will learn how to right a capsized boat on your first day of class! These fun vessels bring you close to the water, allowing you to feel how the waves and wind affect the boat immediately. An added bonus to this 15-hour course is the thrill of getting wet while recreating on Lake Champlain. Includes a class textbook, Learn Sailing Right. Open to all who identify as women.

Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

$400.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

August 02 - August 09, 2025

Learn to Sail: Keelboat

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Learn to Sail Keelboat

If you have never experienced big boat sailing or enjoy the more relaxed side of the sport, then keelboats are the right boat for you. With several other students and an instructor,  you will be aboard a 23-foot Sonar keelboat, learning how to sail together. Everyone will have an opportunity to trim sails, steer the boat, and approach a mooring. This 15-hour class gives you more time to observe your peers at work and take in the sights and sounds of Lake Champlain. Includes a class textbook, Basic Keelboat.

Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

$455.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

June 21 - June 28, 2025
July 12 - July 19, 2025
July 26 - August 02, 2025
August 09 - August 16, 2025

Women Only: Learn to Sail Keelboat

If you have never experienced big boat sailing or enjoy the more relaxed side of the sport, then keelboats are the right boat for you. With several other students and an instructor,  you will be aboard a 23-foot Sonar keelboat, learning how to sail together. Everyone will have an opportunity to trim sails, steer the boat, and approach a mooring. This 15-hour class gives you more time to observe your peers at work and take in the sights and sounds of Lake Champlain. Includes a class textbook, Basic Keelboat.

Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

$455.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

June 07 - June 14, 2025

Advanced Clinics & Certifications

Build on your existing foundation of sailing knowledge with these specialty clinics and US Sailing certifications.

US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification

We offer the US SAILING Basic Keelboat (BK) Certification. The BK Certification course covers basic and advanced sailing techniques, including reefing and anchoring. The course fee includes course materials and an official log book. The BK Certification one-day course includes a comprehensive written and practical test at the class’s culmination.

Sunday, July 13, 2025, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Saturday, August 23, 2025, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

$185.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

July 13, 2025
August 10, 2025
August 09, 2025
August 23, 2025

Laser Skill Building Clinic

This 3-hour advanced class will help you become a better Laser sailor by fine tuning your existing sailing skills.  Instruction will focus on boat set up, boat handling and sail trim to maximize your boat speed in a Laser.  Please note: This is an advanced class, not meant for beginner sailors.  

Saturday, July 12, 2025, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Sunday, August 3, 2025, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

$75.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

July 12, 2025
August 03, 2025

Dinghy Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinic

This one day clinic delves deep into the advanced techniques and equipment essential for harnessing the power of asymmetrical sails on a dynamic dinghy. Great for intermediate dinghy sailors looking to advance to the next level. Please note: This is an advanced class, not meant for beginner sailors.

Sunday, July 20, 2025, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

$180.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

July 20, 2025

Keelboat Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinic

This one day clinic delves deep into the advanced techniques and equipment essential for harnessing the power of asymmetrical sails on a stable keelboat. Designed for intermediate keelboat sailors looking to advance to the next level.  Please note: This is an advanced class, not meant for beginner sailors.

Sunday, July 13, 2025, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Sunday, August 3, 2025, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

$210.00 / session

Installments Available

Sessions

July 13, 2025
August 03, 2025

Friday Night Dinghy Racing

Prior sailing knowledge is required, and no instruction or coaching will be provided. All skippers must take our rental test. The race course will be posted in the program room prior to the races. Results will be shared after racing. This series welcomes people learning to race.

Numbers are limited and sign-up is first come first serve starting at 5pm.
Crews can begin rigging at 5:30pm. First gun promptly at 6pm, last race begins at 7pm.

Dates: Fridays, June 20 – August 22

Fee: Free

Friday night racing

Scholarships available!

The McConnell Scholarship and Diversity Access Initiative provide financial assistance for sailing programs.

Women in Wind

Our Women in Wind program includes learn-to-sail, events, and sailing meet-ups for women only.