Learn to Sail with US Sailing. Part of US Sailing's vision is to introduce as many people as possible to this great sport. But we want to make sure you're learning in a safe, fun, high-quality environment...because if you're a well-trained, competent sailor you'll love sailing as much as we do.

Learn more about the different programs offered by US Sailing schools and instructors. We'll help you decide what kind of boat you want to learn on and find a course to take - and we've written the books ourselves to make sure they're the best around.

US Sailing provides education and instruction in four seperate areas: Small Boat (i.e. day sailing), Keelboat, Powerboat and Windsurfing. To learn more about student level courses and materials, please click here, or on one of the icons below.  To learn more about becoming an instructor in any of those areas, please click here.

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SMALL BOAT SAILING
The Small Boat Program offers a simple and inexpensive way to get started in sailing. Here the basics of sailing are most easily learned. Some small boats are designed specifically for youth, but most provide a lifetime of enjoyment for adults, too.

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KEELBOAT CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
The Keelboat Certification System offers seven levels of certification. They range from Basic Keelboat through Offshore Passagemaking. These certifications follow a building-block technique of combining learned skills with experience. New sailors gain knowledge and experience at each level and can take their sailing skills as far as they want to go at their own pace.

If you're interested in cruising, power-cruising or international equivelancy, this is the place for you.

 

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 POWERBOAT CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
These courses were the first national certification courses offering on-the-water, hands-on training! Certified instructors provide a flexible, entry-level course for either youth or adults - or the course may be structured as a more precision boathandling session for support boat operators.


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WINDSURFING
Windsurfers are a fun and affordable way to experience the thrill of sailing. Windsurfers are 'boards', much like a surfboard. They come in various sizes and widths, which help determine the level of skill needed to ride each one. Beginning windsurf boards are wider and longer than advanced boards, and are great for people new to the sport. Each board has a sail attached to a rotating mast which is attached to the board.

 

US Sailing supports a curriculum of windsurfing instruction based on the Start Windsurfing Right! book and taught by certified instructors.