We offer several options for students with little or no prior sailing experience to explore sailing for the first time. Learn to sail through dock-side lectures and hands-on experience at the OCC Waterfront Campus or at our partner facility at Marina Park.
There are many ways to learn to sail. You can buy a small sailboat and learn on your own, or sail with a friend and try to learn from experience, but taking a formal sailing class will save you time and money in the long run.
Let us help you learn the right way with trained instructors, great equipment, and first class facilities on beautiful Newport Harbor.
Explore sailing and learn the basics in our Beginning Dinghy or Beginning Keelboat classes. Once you are comfortable move on to build your skills and confidence in more advanced classes.
It’s easy to get started. You decide which boat type, class price, and class size is best for you. Whether you start in the Lido 14 dinghy or the Harbor 20 keelboat you are on the path to a lifetime of sailing adventures.
Beginning Dinghy in the Lido 14
If you have never sailed before or just have a little experience sailing with others, this is the class for you. You will learn basic sailing skills and gain confidence through dockside lectures and hands-on experience in Lido 14 dinghies. Dinghy sailing is a physical activity and participants should have physical stamina, good balance, and be capable of moving about safely in the boat. Topics will include sailing theory, points of sail, basic terminology, tacking, gybing, safety, knots, and docking. Eighty percent of class time is spent enjoying the outdoors and sailing the Lidos within Newport Bay. When conditions are ideal we put two students per boat – so sign up with a friend.
- Prerequisites
- Ability to swim 50 yards
- At least 14-years old on the first day of class.
- Successful completion prepares you for:
Take the first step and explore our Beginning Dinghy classes
Intermediate Dinghy in the Lido 14
Now that you know basic sailing concepts Lido 2 – Intermediate Dinghy Sailing takes your sailing skills to the next level with a focus on improving boat-handling skills as both skipper and crew, refining sail trim, and problem solving afloat. You will spend more time on the water practicing and building new skills, and the importance of balance and teamwork will become evident as you learn to sail faster and smarter with greater confidence. Single-handed sailing will be introduced time and weather permitting. Upon successful completion of Lido 2 – Intermediate Dinghy Sailing, you will be ready to move on to Level 2 Keelboat or Shields 1.
- Prerequisite
- Successful completion of Lido 1 – Beginning Dinghy or recent equivalent dinghy sailing experience.
- Participants must be at least 14 years old and able to swim 50 yards.
- Successful completion prepares you for:
See our upcoming Lido 2 – Intermediate Dinghy Sailing classes
Beginning Keelboat Harbor 20 – Level 1
Harbor 20 Level 1 – Beginning Keelboat is one of two entry-level sailing classes we offer. The other option for beginners is our Lido 1 – Beginning Dinghy Sailing. The novice sailor will learn the fundamentals of sailing on a comfortable and stable Harbor 20 keelboat. With a maximum of three students per class you will enjoy more personalized instruction through a combination of classroom and on-the-water practice. You will learn basic sail theory, terminology, tacking, gybing, crew coordination, points of sail, safety, right of way, knots and docking. Eighty percent of class time is spent sailing the Harbor 20 within Newport Harbor.
- Prerequisites
- No prior experience necessary.
- Participants must be 14 years of age or older and able to swim 50 yards.
- Successful completion prepares you for:
Beginning Keelboat classes fill fast – check availability
Level 2 Keelboat in the Harbor 20
Harbor 20 Level 2 builds upon the sailing fundamentals learned in Harbor 20 Level 1 and provides a great transition for students moving from Intermediate Lidos to small keelboats. You will practice your sailing skills and gain experience and confidence rigging and sailing the Harbor 20. Topics include docking procedures, crew communication, roller furling operation, points of sail and sail trim, crew overboard, reefing, safety equipment, rules and knots. If you are thinking about getting your Harbor 20 Skipper Certification this class is a must? By the end of class you will be ready to move on to Shields 1, or if your goal is to take friends and family sailing on Newport Bay ask about the Harbor 20 Level 2- Extra class.
- Prerequisites
- Harbor 20 – Level 1, Intermediate Dinghy or equivalent experience.
- Participants must be 14 years of age or older and able to swim 50 yards.
- Successful completion prepares you for:
- Shields 1
- Harbor 20 Level 2 Extra
Harbor 20 – Level 2–Extra
An intensive course for adults interested in renting the Harbor 20 for day sailing. Class time is 20% review and 80% evaluation of student skills. Students in this class have completed Harbor 20 Level 2, or have other significant sailing experience. You will review the fundamentals of rigging and sailing a Harbor 20, refine your skills at the helm and demonstrate ability to sail proficiently on all points of sail with proper sail trim, confidently leave and return to the dock, reef successfully and perform a crew overboard recovery. Active participation is required for success and a passing grade on the written and practical tests are required for certification.
- Prerequisites
- Harbor 20 Level 2 or equivalent experience
- Successful completion prepares you for:
Practice Your Dinghy Skills or Just Enjoy Newport Beach in the Lido Fun Sail
You asked us for more ways to improve your sailing skills and spend more time on the water – and we heard you!
Join us for a sail on Newport Harbor practicing all the skills you have learned in Beginning Sailing, Intermediate Lido and the Lido Racing Clinic. Our instructor will be on hand for a quick shoreside briefing, collect waivers and provide support during rigging and docking, but this class is your chance to simply go for a sail. After you rig and launch you will head off on a course of your choice exploring the harbor.
- Prerequisite
- Lido 1 – Beginning Dinghy Sailing or equivalent recent dinghy sailing experience.
- Participants must be at least 14 years old and able to swim 50 yards
Get more tiller time and practice in the Lido 14 Dinghy
Learn to Race a Lido 14 Dinghy in our Lido Racing Clinic
A fun class to further your sailing skills. You will learn how to sail the boat faster and more efficiently using sail trim and crew placement to maximize your boat speed. You will learn about racing tactics and strategies, how to start, round a mark, and the racing rules. Even if you don’t plan to continue to race you will appreciate the enhanced understanding of safe and efficient sailing gained in this class.
- Prerequisite
- Lido 1 – Beginning Dinghy Sailing or equivalent recent dinghy sailing experience.
- Participants must be at least 14 years old and able to swim 50 yards
Register for the next Lido Racing Clinic
Hone Your Skills and Turbo-charge Your Sailing with Private Lessons
Private lessons are available with a certified instructor for all skill levels. A private lesson is a one-on-one experience that works well as a confidence builder, as an introduction to sailing, or to allow focus on improving specific skills, or to make up a missed class. A private lesson with an OCC instructor will take your ability to the next level with individual learning and feedback.
Private lessons are typically taught in 3-hour sessions (except for powerboat instruction), scheduled at a time that is convenient for you, and based on instructor availability.
Rates are based on a 1:1 ratio. A fee applies for additional students.
Member’s receive a 10% discount on published rates.
View our rates for Private Lessons
All regular scheduled classes are available on a private or semi-private basis. Contact the school for pricing and scheduling.
|
|
Learn at OCC Waterfront Campus
Learn at Marina Park