Beginner Keelboat Sailing at Community Boating Center

Bellingham, Washington

Beginner Keelboat Sailing

16 hours | Ages 16 and up | No experience necessary!

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Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

2

About This Adventure

Embark on an exciting journey into sailing with our comprehensive 16-hour Keelboat course! Perfect for beginners, you'll learn essential skills like sail theory, navigation, and safety while enjoying hands-on experience on Bellingham Bay. With certified instructors and a supportive environment, this is your gateway to mastering the art of sailing!

Join us and take your first step toward your cruising or racing dreams!

Duration: 16 hours (Four 4-hour sessions)

This course is for anyone interested in learning the basics of sailing. Whether you are looking to try something new, or you’re itching to buy a boat and sail around the world, this is the place to start. You will learn everything you need to know about sail theory and how to use the wind to get where you’re going! Be prepared to take the helm; you will quickly learn how to trim your sails and navigate Bellingham Bay! The goal of this class is to prepare people to independently skipper a boat.

Each Keelboat class is taught with a 4:1 student-instructor ratio and offers a great environment for addressing the particular needs of each student. This class takes place on the water, so come prepared to be out on the boat for nearly all of the session.

CBC is an accredited US Sailing Center; this class is taught by certified instructors to US Sailing standards.

Prerequisites: None! Though, if you want to experience our Keelboats first, try an Evening Sail before your course!

Next Step: Keelboat Refresher or Intermediate Keelboat

Topics Include:

Basic sailing theory
Boat parts and sailing terminology
Rigging the boat
Upwind and downwind sailing maneuvers
Efficient sail trim
Tacking and jibing
Rules of the road
Person overboard recovery practice
Cold water safety
Approaching and leaving a dock or mooring buoy under sail
Understanding the basics of local weather and tides

Recommended Reading: We use US Sailing's Basic Keelboat textbook in conjunction with this class. This book is a great resource as you start your journey as a sailor. We have a limited number of copies for sale and a few that are available to borrow from us. You can also find it online or at the library. We suggest that you glance through it before the start of class, having a sense of these concepts will allow us to maximize your time on the water!

Our Skills Test may be administered during the course at the instructor's discretion.

If the program date you are interested in is full please join our waitlist here.

We do not want cost to be a barrier from participation, our scholarship program can be found here.

Adventure Tips

Dress for Wet Conditions

Wear quick-drying layers and waterproof gear to stay comfortable during on-water sessions.

Arrive Early for Orientation

Give yourself time to familiarize with the boat and instructors before heading out on the water.

Stay Hydrated

Bring a refillable water bottle to keep hydrated during active sailing hours.

Prepare for Variable Winds

Bellingham Bay wind conditions can shift quickly; listen carefully to instructor guidance.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Harbor seals commonly lounge near the bay’s quieter coves.
Bald eagles are frequently spotted soaring overhead or perched in shorefront trees.

History

Bellingham Bay has a rich maritime heritage dating back to indigenous Coast Salish communities and later commercial fishing and shipbuilding industries.

Conservation

The Community Boating Center promotes sustainable boating practices and works to protect the bay’s delicate marine ecosystems.

Beginner Keelboat Sailing at Community Boating Center

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