Youth Outreach Program

Learning to Sail on Newport Harbor

Learn to Sail & Boating Safety Courses for School & Youth Groups

For more than 20 years The School of Sailing & Seamanship has offered “Safe Boating” and “Learn to Sail” courses to youth in the Orange County area. Sailing and powerboat courses are offered free of charge to “at risk” students thanks to a grant from California State Parks – Division of Boating & Waterways and grants from several other organizations. Participants have come from groups such as Acts for Children, Families First, Migrant Education, Olive Crest, Our Lady of the Pillar, Phoenix House, The Boys and Girls Clubs and the Orange County Department of Education.

The goal of the Learn to Sail Program is to build confidence and self esteem through the sport of sailing. Dinghy sailing requires agility, skill, teamwork, and concentration and through games, races and other exercises individual and team working skills are enhanced. The Safe Poweboating course is packed with information and training to teach skills and knowledge on how to drive a powerboat safely. Everybody comes back with a big smile after the high speed stuff !

Our instructional staff is comprised of experienced sailing instructors who are excellent role models that will give positive feedback. In addition to our instructors we have a dedicated group of volunteers who provide support to the students and the instructors.

The program runs year round and is available to all School and Youth groups as After School Sailing classes, school day PE classes or summer sailing camps. Give us a call to find out how we can help your group get on the water. A minimum of 8 students is needed to establish a class and all students must know how to swim.