LEARN to SAIL

Summer Fun Starts Here!

Summer 2024 Class Offerings

Each Summer the Anacortes Waterfront Alliance (AWA) partners with Anacortes Parks and Recreation (APRD) to offer youth and adult group sailing classes to our community.

Registration opens May 13th on the AWA and APRD Website!

Join the mailing list to stay up to date on AWA programs and registration: Anacortes Waterfront Alliance (list-manage.com)

Water Safety Swim Test (Required for all Youth participants) 

Age: 9-15

Cost: Included with class registration 

Sessions: 

  • Session 1: Tuesday June 25th 7 PM

  • Session 2: Tuesday June 25th 7:30 PM

  • Session 3: Saturday June 29th 4 PM

  • Session 4: Saturday June 29th 4:30 PM

  • Session 5: Monday July 1st 7 PM

  • Session 6: Monday July 1st 7:30 PM


    Youth participants must pass a swim test at Fidalgo Pool prior to participating in any AWA summer sailing classes. During the pool session students will have their life jackets checked for proper fit and students will be tested on swimming, floating and other water safety skills.

Water Sports (APRD) 

Age: 8-12

Max Class Size: 8

Sessions: (4 days Monday - Thursday) 

  • Session 1: July 8th - 11th (Afternoons 1pm-4pm)

  • Session 2: July 22nd - 25th (Mornings 9am-12pm)

  • Session 3: July 29th - August 1st (Afternoons 1pm-4pm)

  • Session 4: August 5th - 8th (Afternoons 1pm-4pm)

  • Session 5: August 19th - 22nd (Mornings 9am-12pm)

This course is about fun and exposure to all things water sports! Students learn about on and in the water safety through multiple water activities. Students may participate in paddle boarding, kayaking, introductory sailing, and other on the water activities! Course content will vary based on weather and participant experience. 

Beginner Learn to Sail 

Age: 9-13

Max Class Size: 10

Sessions: (4 days Monday - Thursday) 

  • Session 1: July 8th -11th  (Mornings 9am-12pm)

  • Session 2: July 15th - 18th (Mornings 9am-12pm)

  • Session 3: July 22th - 25th (Afternoons 1pm-4pm)

  • Session 4: July 29th- August 1st (Mornings 9am-12pm)

  • Session 5: August 12th - 15th (Afternoons 1pm-4pm)

  • Session 6: August 26th - 29th (Mornings 9am-12pm)

Students learn the fundamentals of sailing with an emphasis on safety on the water. By the end of the course, students will be comfortable with rigging and handling a small sailboat. They will become familiar with terminology, basic knots and theories. Sailboats used will be singlehanded RS Tera Dinghies. 

Intermediate Learn to Sail 

Age: 10-14

Max Class Size: 10

Sessions: (4 days Monday - Thursday) 

  • Session 1: July 15th - 18th (Afternoons 1pm-4pm)

  • Session 2: August 5th - 8th (Mornings 9am-12pm)

  • Session 3: August 19th - 22nd (Afternoons 1pm-4pm)

Students build on the skills learned in the Beginner Learn to Sail course. The course reviews the fundamentals and safety of dinghy sailing (small boat sailing), terminology and knot tying. Sailors will continue to advance their boat handling skills with sailing drills. Sailboats used will be single handed RS Tera Dinghies. 

Intro to Racing - Middle School 

Age: Will be in grades 6-8 in Fall 2024 

Max Class Size: 10

Sessions: (4 days Monday - Thursday)

  • Session 1: August 26th - 29th (Afternoons 1pm-4pm)

This course is geared towards sailors who have attended the Beginner and Intermediate courses and are ready to take their sailing skills to the next levels by joining the Middle School Sailing Team. Sailors will develop their understanding of sailing theory, sail trim and racing strategy in single handed sailboats. An emphasis will be on preparing sailors to participate in the Seahawks Middle School Sailing Team Fall and Spring programs. Sailboats used will be singlehanded RS Teras.

Intro to Racing - High School 

Age: Will be in grades 9-12 in Fall 2024 

Max Class Size: 8

Sessions: (4 days Monday - Thursday)

  • Session 1: August 12th - 15th (Mornings 9am-12pm) 

This course is geared towards sailors that are interested in joining the High School Sailing team. Sailing experience is not required for this class. Sailors will learn the basics of sailing, parts of the boat and crew communication in double handed sailboats. An emphasis will be on preparing sailors to participate in the Seahawks High School Sailing Team Fall and Spring programs. Sailboats used will be double handed Lidos and FJs.

Adult Learn to Sail (APRD) 

Age: 18+

Max Class Size: 6

Sessions: 

  • Session 1: July 12th, 19th & 26th (Fridays Mornings 9am-12pm)

  • Session 2: August 2nd, 9th & 16th (Fridays Mornings 9am-12pm)

Students learn the fundamentals of sailing with an emphasis on safety on the water. At the end of the course students will be comfortable with rigging and handling a small sailboat. They will become familiar with terminology, basic knots and theories and have the skills needed to check out a boat at one of the AWA Community Rentals to enjoy with their family over the summer. Double Handed Lidos 14 sailboats will be used for this course. *Students should be comfortable swimming and being on the water. Participants will need to have good mobility and be able to crouch, squat and maneuver in a small space to fully participate in the class.