Sailing School
Competency is gained through knowledge...
Tradewinds Sailing School has a program for sailors at any level who are
serious about gaining the foundation knowledge of sailing and continuing on
to become a competent sailor.
With more than 50 years of teaching experience, our successful method is
based on a thorough understanding of how people learn. We also want to
make learning to sail easy and enjoyable. But, we don't take shortcuts. Our
instructors are selected for their teaching skills and their ability to make
learning to sail fun.
We show you the sailing secrets
that other sailors do not share.
Why Choose Tradewinds Sailing School?
- We have great instructors
- All of our instructors are American Sailing Association (ASA) certified
- Our instructors are USCG licensed skippers
- We have a proven teaching method
- We offer you a professional training program
- Our instructors follow a standard teaching curriculum
- Our lead instructor is a certified ASA Instructor Evaluator
- Each of our ASA courses offers the maximum number of hours on the water
- On average, you are sailing 6 hours each day
- We are affordable
- You will like our course pricing
- ASA certification and textbooks are included in our course pricing
- Specialty classes are available
- We don't stop with the ASA courses, you can enjoy extending your learning with our advanced skills classes
- We have an all Women's program
- Tradewinds offers the unique opportunity to learn sailing with other women
- Our female instructors are excited to help other women with their
sailing skills
So, whether you want to
- Cruise the world in your own boat
- Charter sailboats for exotic vacations
- Share sailing with your friends and family without the boat ownership hassle
- Buy your own sailboat
- Experience our all-women's sailing
Our Teaching Methodology
We have discovered over
many years of teaching that the traditional way of learning is the best
way to learn. When you take lessons from qualified instructors, practice,
get feedback, and continue to learn, you get as much out of learning
as you put in.
Think about the last time you learned to do something well. It took time
and practice. Don't be talked into shortcuts... learning is a continuous
process.
The Tradewinds Way
Our training methodology works great, and at the end
of the ASA course series, you will be a competent skipper.
Here is how your training will progress:
- Learn. Each ASA course exposes you
to a set of new skills. We teach using a combination of minimal classroom
time and maximum on-the-water exercises. Each course's skill set builds
on prior knowledge.
- Practice. After completing a course, you practice the new
skills using one of our Sailing Club boats.
You track your practice sessions by using the course exercise
sheet as a guideline. Completing the exercise sheet usually takes
5-7 practice sessions on the water.
When you know you know,
your crew knows you know.
Benefits of the Tradewinds Methodology
- We limit our sailing courses to 3 or 4 students
- You have the same instructor each day of your course
- Each instructor is ASA-certified for the training level that they teach
- You get a different instructor at each course level, which exposes you
to different experience
Frequently Asked Questions from Students
We developed this page to help answer questions that we receive from our
students before and after they take their courses.
 What should I bring to class?
The following is a list of items that you should bring with you to your class.
In addition to physical items, please have all your textbook reading completed before the first day of class.
Please be ready to go at 9:00 am. on the first day. PLEASE BE PROMPT!!!!
Items for all ASA Courses
- Appropriate clothing for the weather.
Please do not wear jeans with rivets, as they scratch the
boat. On the bay, the weather can vary greatly. We recommend dressing
in layers. A good waterproof windbreaker is a good idea. Foul weather gear
is not necessary at this level, but is a good investment should you choose
to purchase it. West Marine is a good source for quality sailing gear,
and there’s
a store near us here in Point Richmond.
- Boat shoes--non-skid and no black soles
- Sunglasses
- Hat with tether
- Sunscreen
- Sailing gloves
(We generally have West Marine sailing gloves for sale at our office.)
- Personal Flotation Devices are provided, but we encourage you to use your
own if you have one. (We generally have inflatable PFDs for sale at
our office at a discount to students).
- Lunches: Please bring your lunch with you! You may have the opportunuty to eat on board at anchor, at a dock, or back at the club house.
Basic Coastal Cruising
In addition, please bring:
- Please bring work gloves for muddy anchoring.
Bareboat Chartering
Bring your lunch for day one. The class will plan meals for days two and three and each student will be responsible for a portion of the meals.
It is often cool and wet during the night and early morning, so be ready
for that.
- As this is an overnight trip, please bring a sleeping bag, toiletries,
a change of clothes and any other necessities, such as prescription medication.
- Dinner and breakfast will be shared with the other students. Please bring enough
food for 4 people. For evening meals, students will prepare a hot
meal for dinner including vegetables and dessert. Hot meal suggestions
include spaghetti, meat loaf, stew or soup, casseroles, etc. Also plan
a hot meal for breakfast. Breakfast suggestions include scrambled eggs,
French toast, oatmeal, etc. Fruit, instant coffee and juice should
be included. Cooking, serving, and eating utensils are onboard. Meal preparation
should not take more than an hour. Meals can be prepared ahead of time
and frozen.
- Alcohol is only permitted after the boat is secured for the evening.
Do I need to
bring my own life jacket?
No. We provide US Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Devices
to all of our students. We have correct sizes for people of
all ages, including juniors. We insist that our students wear a
PFD while participating in our programs. However, you are welcome
to bring your own lifejacket if it is US Coast Guard approved.
Do I need lots
of expensive clothing?
No. When you first take your lessons, wear normal outdoor clothing.
As well, bring running shoes and a hat. Bring a few extra clothes as
the temperature can be cooler on the water. When you sign up for one
of our courses, we send you complete course instructions. When you are
sailing on a regular basis after completing your lessons, you may choose
to purchase some sailing clothes - eg. foul weather gear.
What can I expect during my class?
How do we teach our classes?
First of all, we spend as much time on the water
as possible. We begin each day with a short lecture on theory, knot tying,
or Coast Guard rules to ensure that our students are prepared to
execute the practical requirements on the water.
Students are expected to have completed all of the assigned textbook reading
prior to the first day of the course. If all students adhere to this requirement,
then even less time is spent on land.
Then it's out of the slip
for practical application. The instructor demonstrates the procedure
and then it's the student's turn.
Students alternate as either crew or helmsman for each procedure. Back
in the slip, we have a critique of the day's activities and plan for any
areas that require additional work. We don't believe doing something once
is enough. We stress repetition to reinforce what the student has leaned.
Our instructors only act as helmsman or crew to demonstrate procedures,
the majority of the time, the students are handling the yacht.
Our Sailing School method allows students to learn the roles and responsibilities
of both helmsman and crew and develop their skills working as a team. When
a student is acting as helmsman, he is responsible for organizing and commanding
the crew. Proper and clear communication skills are an important part of
this position.
Our class size limit of 3 (most courses) to 4 students allows plenty of practice time.
The Written Test
Prior to sailing on your own at your course level, you must pass the
written ASA test. You will take the written test on the last day of your
course. A passing grade of 80% is required overall and 100% correct
is required on the Right of Way rules questions.
Where can I sail after I complete my class?
As you complete each ASA level, more and more of the San Francisco Bay is available to you.
Download a map of your practice area:
- Basic Keelboat graduates
and Bronze Fleet (Hi Res Chart) - note: The 25' boats are restricted to this area regardless of the Skipper's qualifications.
- Basic Coastal Cruising
graduates: (Hi Res Chart)
After completing your Bareboat Chartering course, you can sail the
entire San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay during daylight hours. You can
not sail under or west of the Golden Gate Bridge.
After completing your Advanced Coastal Cruising course, you can sail west of the Golden Gate Bridge.
What and how much should I practice before my next class?
Your success in completing your next course level depends greatly on the
amount practice that you do in between each course. We recommend that you
practice on various boats. Practicing increases your confidence and the diversity
of your skills.
We suggest that you practice a minimum of 5 4-hour sessions between courses and complete the set of exercises outlined in our practice sheets:
Why should
I get ASA certified?
ASA certification provides documentation
of your training and is recognized by many national
authorities, charter, and insurance companies. Sailors may join the
ASA and take advantage of many valuable member benefits. Certification
could help you in the future if the State and Federal governments
are successful in their desire to have sailors licensed.
How fast can
I go through the ASA course series?
As fast as you can take the class, complete the course exercise sheet,
and master the skills required at each level before moving on to the
next course. Trying to shorten our program by doing the minimum practice
between course will not benefit you in the end. Please see Our
Teaching Methodology.
Give yourself a minimum of 6 months to complete the 3 course package
with 5-8 practices between each course.
The 6 month pace requires about 24 days of sailing in 24 weeks, which
is a tight schedule. Most members take longer because they want to
practice more between courses at a more leisurely pace.
Do I need
to join the Club after passing my course?
No. Some members own their own boats or sail with
a friend. You must still complete the required
practice before
moving onto your next level.
Can I challenge a course level?
Yes. Some members come to our program with prior sailing experience. If
you think that your sailing skills are at ASA level and you want
to challenge that course, please call our office for more details.
A normal challenge starts with taking the ASA written test for the
levels that you are challenging and then taking a Practical
Skills evaluation on the water.
What is the difference
between ASA certification and US Sailing?
When you finish the entire keelboat program that we offer... there is
no difference. You will be a very competent, skilled, and experienced
sailor. Your certification will be welcomed by charter companies
throughout the World!
US Sailing and the American Sailing Association
have different techniques and course outlines toward the same goal.
US Sailing focuses more on the technical/racing
aspects of sailing early on in their program. The ASA course
outline is oriented to the cruising sailor. Both are quality programs.
Am I too old to sail?
Sailing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Some of our students are retired and are looking for a new sport. Sailing can be enjoyed at whatever pace you choose. While there is a physical element to sailing, cruising is not a speed endurance activity.
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