I’ve never sailed before and this seems scary. What happens if the boat flips over?

Our goal is to make sailing fun, not scary. During this class, you’ll learn what causes a dinghy to capsize, how to avoid it, and how to recover from it. Our process starts in the classroom and then moves to the water, where you’ll see an instructor capsize (the nautical term for flip) a boat and recover from it. Then you’ll get to practice. The process is designed to empower you, not frighten you!

How do I know if I’m in good enough shape for this?

Try it! You’re welcome to come and see the boats, sit on them (while they’re still on land) and practice the moves you need to make. Depending on conditions and attitude, dinghy sailing can be anything from a relaxed trip around the harbor to an intense race—it’s your choice!

Do I have to race?

Many participants grow to love the friendly competition of sailboat racing, but it’s certainly not required.

Will I get wet?

Yes, you should be prepared to get wet any time you’re dinghy sailing. Before getting on the boats, you’ll need to pass a swim test. On the first day, we’ll also practice righting the boat in case it capsizes.

Sailing seems expensive and snooty. Is it accessible to normal people?

Waikiki Yacht Club has a diverse range of members, from teachers and construction workers, to members of the military, to business leaders and medical professionals. Our common love of boating and sailing brings us together. Joining Hawaii Yacht Club is one of the most affordable ways to get on the water. Our adult sailing lessons work out to just XX dollars per hour on the water. Once you’ve completed the program, you can retain your HYC membership and rent the sailboats when it’s convenient for you for just XX per hour.

Is sailing safe?

Yes! Our coaches are US Sailing certified and our program conforms to industry best practices. Our top priority is safety. Students and coaches wear PFDs (lifejackets) whenever they’re on the water and coaches constantly assess conditions for safety. More importantly, we teach students how to assess conditions and make smart, safe decisions about when and where to sail.

I get seasick, can I still learn to sail?

Dinghy sailing is, counterintuitively, ideal for people who experience motion sickness. We don’t know if it’s the intimate connection with the water or the fact that you’re in command of your own boat from day 1, but seasickness rarely proves to be an issue. 

Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to learn on a larger boat?

Larger boats might be dryer and have more creature-comforts, but their size makes it much harder to learn the basic physics of sailing. Dinghy’s respond quickly to changing conditions and control inputs, making them ideal for learning. Plus, they offer a far greater ratio of fun-to-work…there’s little to clean and care for on a dinghy compared to a larger boat, so you spend more time sailing.