Classes & Schedules
AH
We offer a variety of classes for all experience levels, from beginner to intermediate, including dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing, and rowing. Our experienced instructors and welcoming community are here to help you build confidence and enjoy your time on the water.
AH
Community Classes Schedule
Spring Schedule
April - June
Summer Schedule
June - August
Our Community Spring Schedule runs in three two-week sessions from April through June and is open to community members ages 17 and older.
It offers a variety of sailing and boating classes for all experience levels.
Each session includes structured weekday programming in both morning (8:00 AM–12:00 PM) and evening (5:00 PM–7:30 PM) time blocks, with additional weekend courses.
Classes include beginner, intermediate, and advanced dinghy and keelboat sailing, along with specialty offerings such as racing fundamentals, powerboat handling, and introductory cruising.
Courses are designed to support progressive skill development, allowing participants to build experience throughout the spring season in a structured, supportive environment on Monterey Bay
Spring registration opens March 15 at 12:00 AM.
We offer both Adult Community Courses and Junior Camps during the summer season.
Our Summer Boating Schedule runs from June through August and is divided into six two-week sessions Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays. Classes canceled due to holidays will be made up at a later date. There are multiple daily time blocks designed to accommodate different age groups and experience levels.
Adult Community Courses are open to anyone 17 years and older. Classes include beginner, intermediate, and advanced dinghy and keelboat sailing. Please contact us for the most up-to-date information on availability.
Junior Camps are offered exclusively during the summer June through July for youth ages 8–16. Sailors are grouped by similar age and skill level to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced dinghy classes are available in two-week sessions. Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays. Classes canceled due to holidays will be made up at a later date. Please review all class descriptions carefully before registering, and contact Junior Sailing staff with any placement questions.
Summer registration opens March 15 at 12:00 AM.
2026 Spring Schedule
Our Community Spring Schedule runs three two-week long sessions from April through June and is open to community members ages 17 and older.
Spring registration opens March 15 at 12:00 AM.
Session 1
April 20 - April 30
All classes run for 2 weeks
Session 2
May 4 - May 15
All classes run for 2 weeks
Session 3
June 18 - June 29
All classes run for 2 weeks
Weekday Evening Classes
Monday–Thursday | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Beginning Dinghy
- Advanced Dinghy
- Racing Fundamentals
- Beginner Keelboat
- Intro to Bareboat Cruising
Morning Classes
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Advanced Keelboat
Weekend Classes
Saturdays & Sundays | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Powerboat handling
Weekday Evening Classes
Monday–Thursday | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Intermediate Dinghy
- Advanced Dinghy
- Racing Fundamentals
- Intermediate Keelboat
- Intro to Bareboat Cruising
Morning Classes
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Advanced Keelboat
Weekend Classes
Saturdays & Sundays | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Powerboat handling
Weekday Evening Classes
Monday–Thursday | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Beginning Dinghy
- Advanced Dinghy
- Racing Fundamentals
- Beginner Keelboat
- Intro to Bareboat Cruising
Morning Classes
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Advanced Keelboat
Weekend Classes
Saturdays & Sundays | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Powerboat handling
To enroll in a class follow the instructions below. Scroll down!
Step 1: Log in or create an account by clicking here. or the link below.
Step 2: Once logged in, click on Boating and select: Boating Programs
Step 3: Click on which class you would like to enroll in.
Step 4: Follow the prompts to complete your payment.
Please note: The Boating Center no longer accepts cash payments on-site.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund: 31 or more days prior to the start of class
50% refund: 14–30 days prior to the start of class
No refund: Within 14 days of the class start
AHH
UCSC PE Class Schedule
Students at UC Santa Cruz have access to a wide variety of boating courses each quarter. These classes are free and are taken like any other academic course through the student portal.
They are mixed-gender, hands-on Physical Education courses that meet once a week for a total of eight on-the-water sessions (weather permitting).
Good attendance is strongly recommended to ensure the best learning experience, and successful completion allows students to progress to higher-level courses within the Community Boating Center Sailing Club.
Students begin by learning fundamental skills inside the protected Santa Cruz Harbor before progressing into Monterey Bay for further practice and skill development.
Spring Quarter Schedule
March 30 - June 5
Our PE Spring Schedule runs from March 30 through June 5 and offers weekday sailing courses for a range of experience levels.
Classes meet Monday through Friday in two daily sessions, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM and 12:30–3:00 PM, with options in beginner, intermediate, and advanced dinghy sailing, as well as keelboat courses at all levels.
Fall Quarter Schedule
Sept 20 - Dec 12
Our PE Spring Schedule runs from September 20 through December 12 and offers weekday sailing courses for a range of experience levels.
Classes meet Monday through Friday in two daily sessions, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM and 12:30–3:00 PM, with options in beginner, intermediate, and advanced dinghy sailing, as well as keelboat courses at all levels.
Winter Quarter Schedule
Jan 5 - March 20
Our PE Spring Schedule runs from January 5 through March 20 and offers weekday sailing courses for a range of experience levels.
Classes meet Monday through Friday in two daily sessions, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM and 12:30–3:00 PM, with options in beginner, intermediate, and advanced dinghy sailing, as well as keelboat courses at all levels.
To enroll in a class follow the instructions below. Scroll down!
Step 1: Log in or create an account by clicking here. or the link below.
Step 2: Once logged in, click on Boating and select: Boating Programs
Step 3: Click on which class you would like to enroll in.
Step 4: Follow the prompts to complete your payment.
Please note: The Boating Center no longer accepts cash payments on-site.
AHH
UCSC Boating Classes Overview
Dinghy Classes
Beginning
Intermediate
Advanced
No prior experience required. Students sail RS Quest boats (2–3 students per boat).
Students build on foundational skills and learn:
- Rigging and boat nomenclature
- Basic sailing theory
- Sail trim, tacking, and jibing
- Balance and docking
- Safe boating practices
- Self-rescue techniques
- Basic sailing knots
- Wind and ocean awareness
Prerequisite: Beginning Dinghy or equivalent experience.
Students build on foundational skills and learn:
- Right-of-way rules and points of sail
- Sailing in stronger winds
- Improved boat handling and hiking techniques
- Sail trim, powering up vs. depowering, and reefing
- Heaving to
- Backward and blindfolded sailing
- Introduction to racing
Completion qualifies students for Beginning Keelboat or Advanced Dinghy classes.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Dinghy or equivalent experience.
Focus on high-performance racing dinghies. Wetsuits required.
Students build on foundational skills and learn:
- Rigging Lasers and RS Quest asymmetrical spinnakers
- Advanced boat handling techniques
- Sail trim and sail shape adjustments
- Upwind and downwind sailing techniques
- Effective hiking
- Self-rescue techniques and dry capsizes
Keelboat Classes
Beginning
Intermediate
Advanced
Prerequisite: Advanced Dinghy or equivalent experience.
Students build on foundational skills and learn:
- Hands-on rigging and docking
- Sailing on Monterey Bay
- Sail trim and powering up vs. depowering
- Person-overboard recovery techniques
- Boating safety and VHF radio usage
- Rules of the road
- Weather and ocean awareness
Prerequisite: Beginning Keelboat or experience required.
Students build on foundational skills and learn:
- Symmetrical spinnaker packing and rigging
- Setting, jibing, and dousing the spinnaker
- Crew positions and management
- Dockside practice of new skills
- On-the-water spinnaker use
Prerequisite: Intermediate Keelboat or experience required.
Students build on foundational skills and learn:
- Boat systems
- Advanced docking techniques
- Anchoring
- Back and fill maneuvers
- Basic charts and navigation
Rowing Classes
Beginning
Intermediate
Beginners will use an Edon training shell with a detachable pontoon.
The course is designed to cover basic skills of the rowing stroke, launching, docking, and safety while on the water. Students will be rowing in singles and double rowing shells. The class starts in the harbor near the docks. As the course progresses, students will have a chance to row in Monterey Bay.
Prerequisite(s): Basic swimming ability.
This class is taught in single and double sculls, with a majority of the classes being taught out on the Monterey Bay. More intermediate rowing techniques are covered and the skills needed for safe open-water rowing. This class is for students wishing to improve their basic skills with an emphasis on conditioning - interval and endurance.
Intermediate rowers may choose from the following vessels which may include:
MAAS Aeros 20' (3)
MAAS 24s (2)
Bay 21 (1, New)
Pegasus (1)
WinTech 30' Double (1, New)
Custom wooden double (1) built by Jeremy Fisher-Smith
Prerequisite(s): Basic rowing or equivalent skill.
