Learn to Sail in St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida
– Christopher Cross, singer-songwriter from the 1980’s hit “Sailing”
For years sailing had been an activity only the rich and famous enjoy. Kennedy’s and Bush’s enjoyed the open waters under a crisp white sail, but for the masses, sailing was illusive. Access to the water, boats and instruction was limited to those blue bloods with country club credentials.
Here on the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida, Pinellas County, home to the waterfront cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, offers miles of surf and plenty of water for sailing either in the Gulf of Mexico or in the tranquil bays and Intercoastal Waterway. It calls to the wannabee sailor in all of us.
And the Clearwater Community Sailing Center is helping many folks answer those calls � even if their pocketbook resembles a pauper rather than a prince.
Sitting on city owned waterfront property, the Clearwater Community Sailing Center is perfectly located at a premium sailing location on Sand Key, Clearwater just south of the Clearwater Pass Bridge opposite the entrance to Sand Key County Park. This gives easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for the more experienced sailor and to the calm waters of Clearwater Harbor on the Eastern side of the key.
The center is a private non-profit 501c3 organization. That status keeps the cost of membership and sailing instruction affordable to almost everyone.
But, bargain prices don’t mean you’ll receive inferior instruction. The sailing center offers some of the most thorough and effective sailing programs in Florida. Their courses and knowledgeable, friendly staff will teach you to sail safely and confidently. In a matter of a few short lessons, you’ll learn everything you need to know to in order to navigate your dinghy or single sailed pram or race a lighting fast Laser in one of the many regattas and fun-sails the center organizes.
Individual instruction is available for the reasonable price of $40 per hour, which includes use of the facilities boats, lifejackets and water shoes.
The Clearwater Community Sailing Center also offers group instruction for adults and host women-only sailing sessions and even works with another non-profit, Sailability, to offer a sailing program for disabled individuals.
Inexpensive memberships are available (see below for fees). Membership includes the use of the centers facilities, boats and equipment including lifejackets and water shoes Member also receive a 10 percent discount on all sailing instruction. The facility has a large fleet of small day sailboats, Hobie Cats, and other boats under 20 feet. It also has sea kayaks and sailboards available.
But perhaps the best kept sailing secret in Florida is the centers youth sailing program. During the summer and school holidays the facility offering sailing day camp for kids 6 to 12 years old. The week long sessions are designed for novices and begging sailors. Kids learn basic sailing skills in a fun and safe environment. Older kids with prior sailing experience can learn how to sail the sleeker, faster Lasers and also experience racing techniques.
The Clearwater Community Sailing Center has recently teamed with the nearby Clearwater Yacht Club to host an Optimist pram (small dingies) racing team. The Center provides all the boats and equipment and a dedicated coach. Sailing Center membership is required, as is a $50 per month coaching fee. Participation in local and regional regattas is optional and can cost $20-50 dollars each for a weekend regatta (including registration, lunch, trophies and a souvenir).
The new Opti racing team dubbed “Clearwater Opti Racers” is showing promise. After less than a month of coaching the 5 sailor team took home 3 trophies at the 2005 Clearwater Champs Regatta.
Sailor of all ages, and their parents agree, Clearwater Community Sailing Center offers top notch instruction at an unbeatable value.
2005 Annual Membership Rates
Annual Individual: $325
Annual Family: $425
Annual Youth: $175
Annual Social: $100
2005 Seasonal Membership Rates (4 months)
Individual Seasonal Membership: $225
Family Seasonal Membership: $300
Clearwater Community Sailing Center is located at 1001 Gulf Boulevard in Clearwater. The facility is open Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.
Clearwater Community Sailing Center
1001 Gulf Boulevard
Clearwater Florida, 33767
(727) 517-7776
fax: 727-489-2602
