Basic Keelboat

Contact the Sailing Center TODAY to learn about the formation of the next class!
Call (562) 433.7939 or email gstratton@ussclb.org
The most frequent class schedule is meetings once per week on Saturdays from Noon - 4pm.

The Basic Keelboat Program provides a comprehensive learn to sail experience for students with no sailing experience, and for those with some experience that want to build on their skills and obtain an official US SAILING Basic Keelboat Certification.

Students learn their on-the-water skills sailing on the beautiful waters of Alamitos Bay and Long Beach Harbor in keelboats from 20’–25’ in length. Our US SAILING Certified instructors are highly skilled in communication and seamanship and provide excellent instruction. Class sizes will be limited to 3–5 persons per instructor/boat in order to provide an ideal learning environment. Each day begins with a brief classroom lecture introducing students to new sailing related topics. The rest of the day is spent on the water, with hands-on teaching.


Skills introduced include:
	• Nautical terminology • Sail trim • Sailing theory • Basic knot tying • Crew overboard recovery • Reefing • Right of way rules • Rigging a boat • Points of sail • Anchoring • Boat handling • Nautical chart reading • Docking and departing • Safety and emergency procedures • Equipment regulations • Stowing the boat

The program is divided in to 4 modules:

Basic Keelboat Level 1
This course is an introduction to sailing designed for students with little or no previous sailing experience.

Basic Keelboat Level 2
		This course is the next step in the program. In this course students will review what they learned in KB1 and develop new skills.

Basic Keelboat Level 3
This is the final level of the basic keelboat course. Sailing a J24, a fast and responsive yet stable and spacious boat, students will continue their skill development.

US SAILING Basic Keelboat Certification
		This course is primarily an evaluation and testing of the skills that have been learned in the previous courses or other sail training experience.

Class schedule:
Classes are formed on a continuous basis as there are interested students, and generally new sessions are beginning monthly. Classes typically meet on a weekend day, over consecutive weeks. Midweek classes are possible if student interest warrants it. If you are interested in joining the next forming class session, please contact the Sailing Center. We hope to get you out sailing soon!

Important: For all of the above classes, students must be over 18 years of age. Students must also be in good physical condition and be able to swim at least 50 yards while fully clothed. Classes will meet regardless of weather. Lifejackets will be provided by the United States Sailing Center and must be worn at all times while on board the boat.