Sailing Courses & Clinics | Modern Sailing

Sailing Courses & Clinics

What inspires you - day sailing, racing, vacation chartering, or extended voyaging? Whether your dream is to sail around San Francisco Bay or sail around the world, our Berkeley and Sausalito ASA certification courses and advanced clinics will help you prepare to get underway. 

Certification Courses

Modern Sailing is an American Sailing Association school. Whether you are exploring the sport of sailing for the first time, revisiting a forgotten passion, or looking to take your skills to the next level, Modern Sailing can help you reach your goals. 

Sportboat and Cruising Boat Learning Options

Modern Sailing has two locations - Sausalito and Berkeley. Does the idea zipping around the Bay on high-performance racing sportboats appeal to you? In addition to the Cruising Boat education path available in both Sausalito and Berkeley, our Berkeley location also offers an exciting Sportboat Track - ASA certification courses and advanced clinics taught aboard our sturdy and agile J/Boats. 

Racing Program

With locations in Berkeley and Sausalito, Modern Sailing is able to offer the widest range of opportunities to learn and experience the excitement of yacht club racing on San Francisco Bay. In Sausalito, you'll learn racing skills and race in local races aboard one of our Catalina 320s. In Berkeley, learn and race aboard an exciting J/105. Learn more about the Modern Sailing Racing Program.

Professional Training

Through rigorous United States Coast Guard training, you can realize your dreams of becoming a charter captain or sailing instructor. More information about getting your Captain's License. 

Our staff has extensive training and experience as American Sailing Association Instructor Qualifiers.  We offer clinics throughout the year to help sailors get their Instructor Certifications.  More information about becoming an ASA Sailing Instructor.

Private Lessons

Do you have specific goals or areas of focus where you'd like more personalized training? We can design a custom plan to help meet your needs. Learn more about Private Instruction on our website. Call us at (415) 331-8250 or send an email for more information and a specialized quote.

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  • John Kipping

    The meeting room was quite adequate and the location most convenient, but the course outline and instruction were outstanding. Modern Sailing is fortunate to have such a well organized instructor in Mr. Stan Lander who teaches very well from a rich professional background. Mr. Lander was generous with his time and patiently in helping students who needed more attention or time in understanding various aspects of the curriculum.

  • Lisa Butzer Wilde

    Thumbs up to (Club Skipper) Geoff (Love) and his wife Laura. I went on my first Club Sail on Sunday, January 18, 2026. They were terrific!

  • Sara Jane G.

    I've taken two classes at MSS&C and was very happy with the program. This is also a great club with lots of opportunities for camaraderie and practice on the water. The boats in the fleet are fantastic and kept in tip-top shape. I highly recommend for all sailors and would-be sailors!

  • Warren Leiden, Member

    I try to get out on the water every week: out the Gate, around Angel, up Raccoon - I love it all. After 18 years as a member of OCSC in Berkeley, I learned to sail the bigger boats at Modern by taking ASA 103 and 104. My ASA 104 instructor Dave Russell was terrific. Also, Captain Bill Moreland has been very generous in giving informal advice whenever I’ve asked him. Thanks to Bill, I no longer have any anxiety about docking!

  • David Dolenc, Member

    I love sailing in the San Francisco Bay and greatly appreciate everything that MSC has to offer, the classes, clinics, club sails, racing and charters. I enjoy our supportive sailing community and use every opportunity to spend time on the water. After obtaining the certifications from MSC I did my first charter in Croatia in 2022 with my family. It was amazing and we’re looking forward to returning soon!

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