FIRST SAIL

What Will I Learn?

First Sail is a nationwide initiative developed by US Sailing. The goal of First Sail is to educate the public on the benefits of sailing as a fun and exciting recreational activity for people of all ages and abilities and connect them with opportunities to get involved. 

Participants will get on the water in a keelboat with a sailing instructor.  The First Sail Experience features basic sailing hands-on learning that will cover:

• How a sail works
• Parts of a sailboat
• Points of sail
• Safety guidelines

Is this the right class for me?

First Sail is ideal for those who want to experience sailing on Mission Bay with one of our instructors before committing to a full-length course. 

This class is also a great opportunity to simply enjoy sailing on Mission Bay whether you intend to continue your sailing education or not.

If you already know that you want to learn to sail we suggest going straight to Basic Keelboat Level 1 or Basic Sailing.

Requirements

• First Sail is an entry-level class with no required prerequisites or prior experience.
• This class is open to all participants aged 14 and up.
• A general liability waiver is required to participate. Anyone under 18 must have a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian.
• Participants must acknowledge that they are water safe (able to swim 50 meters and comfortably tread water).

How to Prepare

Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers. The temperature can feel much cooler than expected once you are on the water, so it is a good idea to bring a jacket, even on warm days. We suggest comfortable closed-toed shoes and sunglasses and a hat are highly recommended. Lifejackets are provided.

It is unlikely that you will end up in the water while sailing during this class, but you may get a little bit wet from small splashes, handling wet lines, etc. anytime you go on a boat. 

Parking can be a challenge at MBAC, especially during the summer months. Please visit our parking page for more information.

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