Who is eligible for Year One?

Open to students entering grades 9 and 10 who are new to the program.

Do participants need prior sailing experience?

No prior experience required—Year One is designed to teach foundational sailing and safety skills.

How often are sessions held?

The program runs ten weeks in fall and ten weeks in spring with weekly on-water sessions.

Basic program equipment is provided; students should bring appropriate clothing, PFD if they own one, and sun protection.

Are there scholarships or financial aid?

Scholarship options may be available through program partners; contact the organizer for current availability and application details.

Crew to Captain Year One: New Orleans High-School Sailing Program and US Sailing Certification

Q: What certifications are included?

Students prepare for the US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification and a safe boater’s license during the program.

On the water off New Orleans, Crew to Captain • Year One is the launch pad for teenagers who want to turn curiosity into competence. Based in New Orleans, this ten-week fall and spring program teaches 9th and 10th graders the fundamentals of sailing, small-boat handling, and lake stewardship while preparing them for US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification and a safe boater’s license. Through hands-on sessions in keelboats and dinghies, students rotate between helm, sheet work, navigation drills, and maintenance.

Sessions balance classroom STEM lessons with time on deck, so measurement, weather, and basic marine systems anchor the learning. Industry leaders and local mariners visit as guest mentors, offering real-world perspective on careers in marine trades, fisheries, and coastal management. Practical curriculum and repeated, coached practice mean students graduate with tangible credentials and a clear next step: second-year skills in small-boat operations and later instructor-level certifications.

The program’s setting is a practical outdoor classroom: the city’s waterfront, boat decks, and nearby sheltered waters provide wind, current, and an authentic training environment. Key features include keelboats used for crew drills, single- and double-handed dinghies for sail handling, and onshore teaching stations for STEM modules. Students also learn lake stewardship—how human activity affects water quality, shoreline habitat, and the resilience of local waterways—giving the program a conservation-minded edge.

Crew to Captain stands out because it threads formal certification into a multi-year career pathway instead of a one-off class. That structure attracts motivated teens and mentors and builds community skills—students practice leadership, risk assessment, and communication while logging time toward licenses and US Sailing certificates. The program is also tailored to high-school schedules with fall and spring cohorts that fit academic calendars.

Who should consider Year One? Teens in good swimming health with curiosity about boats, physics, and outdoor skills, and parents who want a structured, mentor-led introduction to maritime careers. The experience teaches safe boat handling, teamwork, and practical STEM in a way that translates to employment, advanced training, or recreational seamanship.

Logistics: the ten-week format includes weekly on-water sessions; equipment basics are provided, but participants should bring weather-appropriate clothing and a willingness to learn. Restrictions: open to students entering grades 9 and 10. For families interested in a sustained, credential-driven introduction to maritime life in New Orleans, Crew to Captain • Year One offers a rare, career-focused gateway from first-hand deck time to certified competence. Expect small class sizes, emphasis on safety drills, and regular progress reports so families can track skill development; scholarship options and need-based aid may be available through program partners and community sponsors —contact the organizer for details, start dates, and enrollment instructions well before the first session to secure a spot and receive pre-program materials immediately.

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.