Who can join Crew to Captain • Year Three?

Participants must be in 9th or 10th grade and new to the program; applicants should be ready to commit to weekly sessions during the term.

What certifications will students earn?

Students work toward a safe boater’s license, the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification by Year Two, and US Sailing Level 1 goals in Year Three.

Do I need prior sailing experience?

No — the program accepts beginners and progresses from basic sail concepts to advanced small-boat handling.

How often do sessions meet?

Sessions typically run weekly during fall and spring semesters with periodic full-day on-water skill sessions.

Is transportation provided to launch sites?

Transportation varies by season and program partner; ask program staff about ride-share or school-bus options when registering.

Are scholarships available?

Financial aid or sliding-scale options may be available through local partners; contact the program early to inquire about funding.

Crew to Captain: New Orleans Three-Year Sailing Path for High Schoolers

Crew to Captain • Year Three puts high-school sailors on a clear path from novice crew to certified instructor, running out of New Orleans, Louisiana. This three-year maritime career-development program for 9th and 10th graders combines on-water skill-building with STEM lessons, lake stewardship, and industry mentorship.

Students move progressively from basic sail concepts into hands-on small-boat handling. Early sessions focus on keelboat fundamentals and safety — points of sail, sail trim, helming, and seamanship — before transitioning to nimble dinghies that sharpen balance, boat feel, and launching technique. By the end of Year Two participants sit for the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification and earn a safe boater’s license; Year Three centers on teaching skills and the US Sailing Level 1 certification so graduates can lead future crews.

What makes this program distinctive is its blend of classroom theory and sustained on-water repetition, guided by leaders who work in the local maritime industry. Guest speakers and mentors inject real-world context: careers in commercial shipping, marine engineering, and coastal ecology. The curriculum also emphasizes stewardship of the surrounding coastal and estuarine environment, connecting technical skills to local conservation priorities that sustain fisheries and wetland habitats.

Expect a practical learning rhythm: brief classroom modules, hands-on drills on the dock, coached sail sessions, and debriefs where students log hours and review safety protocols. The small-group format keeps instruction tight; instructors move between keelboats and dinghies to provide immediate feedback on boat handling and decision-making under sail. The program accepts students new to sailing who are in grades 9 or 10.

Families and students who value credentialed outcomes will appreciate the measurable benchmarks: safe boater’s license, US Sailing certifications, and documented hours toward leadership. The structure also suits curious teens interested in STEM careers who prefer active, project-based learning over lecture-only courses.

Practical notes: sessions typically meet weekly during fall and spring semesters, with concentrated skill days on the water. Bring layered clothing, non-marking deck shoes, a refillable water bottle, and an eagerness to participate. The experience doubles as a resume-builder and a bridge to collegiate sailing, recreational boathouses, or entry-level marine jobs.

Whether a student wants to race, teach, or pursue a maritime career, Crew to Captain • Year Three offers a clear, credentialed route that leverages New Orleans’ working-waterfront culture and the region’s coastal ecosystems to make learning both rigorous and relevant.

Parents should ask about session calendars, transportation options to launch sites, and how snowballing community partnerships create internship possibilities. Scholarships and sliding-scale options may exist; inquire early. For students, consistent attendance and curiosity reward quickly — the hands-on hours translate to confidence at the tiller, leadership experience, and direct connections into the Gulf Coast maritime workforce and future employment pathways.

About Community Sailing New Orleans

Community Sailing New Orleans delivers accessible sailing education and community-focused programs on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, Louisiana. The organization offers expert-led experiences for adults, youth, women, and veterans, using stable keelboats and dinghies to teach practical seamanship, safety, and navigation.

Programs include Adult Learn to Sail, Women In the Wind clinics, the three-year Crew to Captain sequence (Year One, Year Two, Year Three), a middle-school STEM Design Build Sail series, and the Tolmas Veteran Sailing course. Curricula cover knots, rigging, small-boat handling, racing fundamentals, and boat maintenance. High school participants earn boating licenses and industry-guided certifications while gaining leadership and STEM skills.

Classes emphasize hands-on learning, lake stewardship, and instructor mentorship. Sessions are suitable for beginners through advancing sailors and focus on confidence-building, teamwork, and safe on-water decision-making. Veteran and active military participants can access a free 10-hour Tolmas Veteran Sailing course delivered across five weekend sessions.

Community Sailing New Orleans partners with local schools and maritime mentors to create pathways to maritime careers and recreational sailing. Safety protocols, certified instructors, and stable training boats reduce risk and improve learning outcomes. The organization’s programs are practical for students, adult newcomers, and individuals seeking structured training for racing or certification.

Featured on The Adventure Collective, Community Sailing New Orleans is recognized for community impact and inclusive programming. For residents and visitors to New Orleans, the organization provides structured, credible sailing instruction and opportunities to explore Lake Pontchartrain with experienced guidance. Registration and schedules are available online, by phone, and email.

Crew to Captain: New Orleans Three-Year Sailing Path for High Schoolers

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