Do I need prior sailing experience?

No prior experience is required; the lesson is designed for absolute beginners aged 16 and up.

How many people are in a lesson?

Group size is limited to up to four people to maximize hands-on time with the instructor.

What is included in the lesson?

A comprehensive intro to sailing course following US Sailing Keelboat standards and classroom/text reference.

Can I use this offer more than once?

This discounted try session is allowed only once per individual.

Is the US Sailing endorsement included?

At the moment the program is unable to issue the US Sailing student endorsement.

Where do lessons launch from?

Exact launch location and meeting logistics are provided at booking via the referral link.

Intro to Sailing on Lake Pontchartrain: Try Sailing Private Lessons in New Orleans

Try Sailing Private Lessons drops you onto the broad water planes around New Orleans, operating out of New Orleans, Louisiana. This two-hour, beginner-focused sail with Captain Matt gives novices a hands-on introduction to keelboat basics, rigging, steering and sail trim while you learn how wind, tide and local currents shape the city’s waterfront. The lesson centers on learning the U.S. Sailing Keelboat fundamentals using small keelboats that handle predictably in Lake Pontchartrain’s brackish sweep and the river-fed estuaries that lace the region. Key features include wide lake horizons, the city skyline rising on one shore, and the marshy edge where pelicans and wading birds hunt. The coastal geology here is deltaic—mudflats, barrier islands and the slow push and pull of the Mississippi River—so expect shifting winds and shallow shoals that make local seamanship a useful skill. Captain Matt’s intro is explicitly designed to test whether sailing suits you: one discounted, two-hour session for ages 16 and up, limited to four people so you get real time at the helm. The course follows US Sailing Keelboat Standards and uses the Basic Keelboat and Basic Cruising texts as reference, though it does not include a student endorsement. Practical learning takes priority: hoisting sails, tacking, basic navigation and safe boat handling under supervision. Why this is a standout option in New Orleans: few local programs pair a short, low-commitment format with certified standards and small groups. It’s a low-pressure way to feel the wind on the face of the city and to compare harbor behavior to textbook theory. For urban travelers this lesson translates waterfront sightseeing into active skill-building, connecting the city’s maritime past with present-day recreation. Keep an eye on weather windows—Pontchartrain can swing from glassy to gusty—and arrive with layered clothing and non-marking shoes. Bring sunscreen, a water bottle and a sense of curiosity. The experience doubles as a primer for further instruction if you decide to pursue the full US Sailing courses. Meeting logistics, exact launch location and pricing are provided at booking; contact through the given referral link to reserve a slot. Whether you’re testing the sport or plotting a longer course of lessons, Try Sailing Private Lessons is a practical, fun gateway into sailing on the waters that define New Orleans. Small group caps mean more one-on-one time with the instructor, and the single-use restriction makes this a genuine 'try before you commit' offer rather than a repeat discount. Lessons are suitable for teens and adults comfortable on moving boats; no prior experience required. If you do book, check tide and event schedules—the Crescent City’s regattas and festivals can change launch plans. After the lesson, consider a walk along lakefront or an oyster po'boy to cap the day.

About Kilroy Sail Training

Kilroy Sail Training is a New Orleans-based sailing school that provides practical, hands-on instruction for beginners and intermediate sailors. The program lineup includes a discounted Try Sailing private lesson led by Captain Matt, which lets prospective students experience sailing firsthand before committing to a longer course. Private Lessons are available and tailored to individual goals—whether a student wants to learn basic handling, docking, or preparation for Gulf cruising. These lessons can be delivered on a student’s own boat or aboard Kilroy’s vessels.

Beginner Sailing is a structured 16-hour course with small class sizes that cover seamanship, sail trim, basic navigation, safety, and on-the-water confidence-building exercises. Intermediate Sailing is also a 16-hour course that builds on fundamentals with more advanced maneuvers and personalized coaching to increase sailors’ competence and comfort underway. Classes emphasize hands-on practice, instructor feedback, and small groups to ensure focused attention. Operating from New Orleans, Louisiana, Kilroy Sail Training focuses on practical, safety-minded instruction appropriate for the region’s local waterways and for sailors planning Gulf passages.

The business prioritizes a supportive learning environment where students learn by doing, build confidence, and develop skills for recreational sailing or cruising. Program descriptions are factual and outline course structure, scheduling flexibility for private lessons, and Captain Matt’s involvement in the Try Sailing option. Prospective students can select from single-session Try Sailing, customized Private Lessons, or structured 16-hour Beginner and Intermediate courses to match their current ability and goals. Scheduling and registration details appear on Kilroy Sail Training's public listing online.