​ All classes listed below will follow Covid-Safer practices similar to those used in our successful 2020 sailing season,  including gathering in small groups, wearing masks, and meeting outdoors through 2021,  until those precautions are no longer needed. For more information, Contact:  jsterling@hrmm.org

Useful Terms for New Sailors
​A Centerboard Sailboat is a sailboat, typically ranging from eight to twenty feet in length. It includes a pivoted board called a centerboard that can be lowered and raised back up through the bottom of the sailboat to reduce sideways movement when sailing and improve stability when lowered and which allows the boat to move into shallow water when raised.  There are many different types of centerboard sailboats. 

A Keelboat is  usually a larger sailboat, from eighteen to forty or more feet.  It includes a fixed structure called the Keel that extends below the bottom of the boat to reduce sideways movement and improve stability when sailing. Keelboats typically need a minimum of five to ten feet of water in which to sail. There are many different types of keel boats. 

A Capsize happens when a centerboard sailboat (usually unintentionally) overturns in the water. Our centerboard sailing classes teach students how to avoid an unintentional capsize and how to safely recover from a capsize.  It is virtually impossible for keel sailboats to capsize. 
2021 Adult Sailing Classes are described below.  Click links for more information and registration
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First Sail
An introduction to sailing aboard our classic catboat Tidbit, pictured here,  with a US Sailing certified instructor. Learn the basics of sailing and enjoy two hours on the  beautiful Rondout Creek and Hudson River.  ​Beginners are welcome, as are experienced sailors. Instructors will customize for the participants in each class. Children, ages 5 and up,  are welcome to participate with their caregiver.  3 students minimum. 5 students maximum.   
 Click one of the dates/times below for details and registration. $35 - $50 per person.​​ Additional Dates TBA. 
Adult Basic Centerboard Sailing
​This 3-hour, one-day class is for adults with no prior experience on smaller, centerboard boats to sail with a US Sailing Certified instructor and two other adults. The course includes capsize practice, and it is the prerequisite course for Adult Basic Centerboard Sailing Two and Adult Centerboard Sailing Clinic classes.  Click Dates below for more information and registration. $75/$70/$65 per person. ​Additional Dates To Be Announced. 
  

​Adult Basic Centerboard Sailing Two
This three-hour class is designed for adult students who have completed the three-hour Adult Basic Sailing Class with us  (or its equivalent) and have done capsize practice.  Students will be sailing on a stable centerboard sailboat with a US Sailing-Certified instructor on board. Class will begin with a brief chalk talk and end with a debrief.  Click Dates below for more information and registration. $ 75/$70/$65 per person. Additional Dates to Be Announced. 


​Adult Centerboard Sailing Clinic
This three-hour class offers adults the opportunity to sail with three other students on a centerboard boat with a US Sailing Certified instructor nearby on a safety boat. Class will begin with a brief chalk talk and end with a debrief. The class may be taken multiple times. Click Dates below for more information and registration. $60/$57/$54.  Additional Dates To Be Announced.            
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US Sailing Basic Keelboat

 US Sailing Basic Keelboat is a 21-hour class which includes Preparation to Sail, Crew Operations and Skills, Sailing Theory, Leaving the Dock or Mooring, Navigation, Navigation Rules, International-Inland, Heavy Weather Sailing, Overboard Rescue Methods, Safety and Emergency Procedures, Anchoring Techniques, Returning to the Dock or Mooring. The course will use the "basic Keelboat" textbook published by the United States Sailing Association. The class will be taught primarily on the water aboard the Sailing School's keel boats. Students will practice their on-the-water skills to gain confidence in operating their vessels. At the end of the course, qualified students will have the option of taking the test to qualify for the US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification. Choose a date and click button for details and registration.  Additional Dates To Be Announced. 

New Boatowner's Sailing Class

This three-hour class is designed for students who have completed US Sailing Basic Keelboat (or its equivalent), have basic sailing skills and have recently bought a boat.  New boat owners will sail on their own boats (keel or centerboard boats),  with their own crew members, alongside Sailing School boats, with an instructor nearby on a safety boat. Boats must meet US Coast Guard safety guidelines, and students must wear life jackets.  Classes will begin with a brief chalk talk and finish with a debrief meeting after sailing.   
For information and registration, click on buttons with dates. $50 per skipper/boat owner. Additional Dates To Be Announced.

Basic Keelboat II- Skipper

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​Basic Keelboat II: Skipper reviews the material covered in US Sailing Basic Keelboat, with a strong focus on practical, on-the-water skills and allows participants to accrue sea time. The focus is on skills needed to become a capable skipper. The prerequisite is Basic Keelboat Certification or permission of the Instructor/Sailing School Director. This course is limited to 4 students, with a 4:1 student to instructor ratio.  ​Check back for 2021 Dates, TBA.



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Basic Keel Boat II- Spinnaker

Basic Keelboat II: Spinnaker reviews the material covered in Basic Keelboat, with a strong focus on practical, on-the-water skills and allows participants to accrue sea time. The focus is on skills involved in raising, flying, gybing, and dousing the spinnaker.   Check back for 2021 Dates, TBA. 

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​​ Custom Sailing Lesson On Your Boat
Our US Sailing-Certified instructor will teach you on your sailboat. Your boat must meet US Coast Guard safety guidelines. A minimum of two students is required.  The class will cover topics such as preparation for sailing (predicting weather and tide/current), basic chart reading (recognizing hazards, understanding navigation buoys, etc), basic sailing skills, and techniques for safely managing heavy weather sailing challenges. 
Please contact jsterling@hrmm.org to arrange. 


Women on the Water
  •  Kingston Sailing Club skippers/boat owners volunteer to to introduce women to sailing and provide opportunities for women to upgrade their sailing skills at very low cost to participants. 
  • We love men, but during WOW, male boat owners who are sailing with a female skipper and crew are asked to take a background role to encourage women to step forward and take more leadership roles on board.
  • Boat owners and skippers inspect vessels to ensure they are safe before sailing and  boat owners provide adequate insurance.
  • Participants are encouraged to buy a Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits her properly and bring it on WOW sails.
  • Details and Summer 2021 Dates TBA
The Riverport Women's Sailing Conference
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 Our virtual conference was a big success!

Friday, Nov. 6, 2020,
5:00-6:30 pm 
and   
 Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020,
1:00 - 6:00 pm

Check back later for information on the 2021 conference, date TBA

Please create an account (no money required) on the hrmm home page by scrolling down and clicking on "Create an Account"  to log in and sign up for classes.
For more info, please contact Jody Sterling, Sailing School Director, at jsterling@hrmm.org or by phone at (845) 399- 9229.