Best Places for Sailing Lessons in Seattle

With it’s proximity to two major lakes and the Puget Sound, sailing is a popular pastime in the city of Seattle. During the gorgeous summers, you’ll always see boats darting around the harbor in the sun. If you would like to learn how to sail yourself, there are plenty of places that offer expert training. If you would like to handle ocean waters in particular, learning the best methods to deal with weather, currents, and general safety are imperative. If you would like to get your kids involved in sailing, both safety and fun are important. Try one of these to get the best possible instruction for your needs.

The Seattle Yacht Club; 1807 East Hamlin Street, Seattle, WA, 98112
Call (206)325-1000
The Seattle Yacht Club is located in the canal way between Lake Washington and Lake Union in the Mountlake/U-District. They offer classes for adults and junior sailors, as well as adult and junior racing teams, if you enjoy the sport. Classes are only available in the summer months, beginning in June, and ending in August. They are open to members and nonmembers of the Club. All classes place a priority on safety, skill development, technique, and fun. Youths 7-18 qualify for the junior program. Instructors are expertly trained and certified by US Sailing, as well as certified in CPR, First Aid. At the Seattle Yacht Club, you’ll find a fun and secure atmosphere to learn sailing skills.

Green Lake Small Craft Center; 5900 West Green Lake Way North, Seattle, WA, 98115 Call (206)684-4074
Sponsored by Seattle Parks and Recreation, this is the perfect spot to get kids acclimated and comfortable with boats and being on the water. Due to the fact that it’s a relatively small lake, Green lake lacks the sometimes strong currents of the major lakes or the Puget Sound. It is also less affected by weather patterns, and safety measures are more easily enforced here. There are children’s , junior’s, and adult programs available here for beginning sailing students.

The Seattle Sailing Club Call (206)782-5100
This is an organization catering to serious students of sailing seeking to get their certification by the American Sailing Association. Taught by professionals, you will learn all about safety, craft and equipment management, and weather patterns. You can get your sailing certification as a student or an instructor through this accredited institution.

Sail Sand Point; 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115 Call (206) 525-8782
This sailing center is located in Sand Point’s Magnuson Park on Lake Washington. Sailing lessons are divided into three different skill levels, which will work with three different types of crafts. Students are divided based on their age, body type, and skill level. This is a great way to learn about handling different boats, as well as learning basic and advanced skills in a fun, beautiful environment. There are both junior and adult classes offered through the Sandpoint Sailing Center.

Windworks Sailing Center; 7001 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle, WA, 98117
Located just south of Golden Gardens Park in the Shishole Bay Marina, you’ll find all your watercraft needs here. They offer sailing lessons taught by an expert staff, as well as skippered charters, adventure cruises, and sailing club memberships. The location is absolutely exquisite, and there could be no more inspiring place to want to learn to sail than in the Shishole Bay of Puget Sound. Because you are learning sailing in an ocean environment with all the complex wind patterns and weather conditions, you will be happy to have the guidance of a dedicated professional with you while you learn.