Sailing Clinics and Lessons | Modern Sailing School

Register for a sailing clinic to make the most of every day on the water. At Modern Sailing School & Club, we are committed to your sailing education and building your confidence while on the water. From docking and sail trim to mooring and electronics, we’ll help you become a better sailor and hone your skills.

Sailing Skills Clinics for New and Returning Sailors

Sailing on San Francisco Bay is a challenging and exhilarating experience. Our extensive fleet of yachts ranging from 30 - 42 ft. offers a range of vessels for every skill level. If you are new to sailing, haven’t been at the helm in a while, or want to brush up on chartering and best practices, an Introductory Sail or Refresher Course is for you.

If you are comfortable with our Silver Fleet, have the required on-the-water experience, and are prepared to upgrade your San Francisco sailing experience, it’s time to take an upgrade clinic. The Gold Fleet Upgrade Clinic readies you to handle boats ranging from 33-37 ft. safely.

In-Depth Sailing Skills Clinics

Practice makes perfect - and that’s never been more accurate than polishing a sailing skill. In collaboration with our skilled and knowledgeable Captains, we have developed several sailing skills clinics to help both intermediate and advanced sailors alike.

Don’t let light winter wind get the better of you. Pick up the mooring ball on the first try, and learn how to utilize the navigation system on any boat, day or night. Clinics include:

Mastering Sail Trim
Light Wind Sailing Techniques
Mastering Asymmetrical Spinnaker for Cruisers
Angel Island Mooring Clinic
Heavy Weather Sailing
Electronic Piloting and Radar Clinic
Night Sailing
Platinum Docking and Maneuvering Clinic
Development Clinics (Silver 30' - 32', Platinum 38' - 44', and Catamaran)

American Sailing Association Certified Docking Clinic

Modern Sailing is proud to offer the ASA 118, Docking Endorsement clinic. This one-day clinic will help you better understand how to dock a 30' - 32' boat in a variety of conditions. Take a closer look at propwalk and the effects of the current and wind on your boat while docking in a slip or alongside any dock.

Not sure where to start? We would be happy to help you. Email or give us a call at (415) 331-8250.

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Courses & Clinics

Introductory Sailing Lesson in San Francisco

Do you want to learn how to sail? Are you looking for a reliable school with award-winning instructors and programs to get you out on the water? Seeking an American Sailing Association certified sailing school to work towards your ASA 101, ASA 103, ASA 105, and ASA 106 certifications? You've come to the right place! Give us a try with this 1-day Introductory Sailing Lesson.

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Angel Island Mooring Clinic

Treat your friends and family to a premier bay adventure with a sail to Angel Island and an overnight stay moored at Ayala Cove -- but first, prepare yourself for the fore and aft mooring, shallow waters, and tidal currents that can make mooring at Ayala Cove a unique challenge.

Our Angel Island Mooring Clinic prepares you to successfully conduct a bow-and-stern mooring as required by the California State Park Angel Island Harbor Master. Additionally, you will become proficient at utilizing one or two buoys for overnight mooring situations in many worldwide cruising locations.

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Electronic Piloting and Radar Clinic

One Day, 9am - 3:30pm

While ASA courses prepare you for basic navigation, becoming proficient in the electronic navigation tools found on your boat allows you to plan your trip and chart your course with ease.

Taught aboard one of our Gold or Platinum Fleet vessels, you will be guided through some of the most common electronic piloting systems found aboard 30' to 50' sailing vessels, with the opportunity to practice these skills in real-time on the bay.

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Development Clinics

One Day, 9am - 3:30pm

Has it been awhile since you last sailed? Or have you recently taken ASA 101, ASA 103, ASA 104, or ASA 114, and need more time on the water to solidify your skills? Clinics include the practice of docking, steering, and sail trim on various points of sail, reefing, crew overboard recovery procedures, heaving-to, and standing turn maneuvers.

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Gold Fleet Upgrade Clinic

Charter a boat from Modern Sailing School and Club and explore the San Francisco Bay. Students in the Gold Fleet Upgrade Course are learning the ropes on a 33 - 39 foot sailboat.

1 Day, 9am - 3:30pm

Get qualified to charter bigger boats before taking ASA 104! This one-day clinic will give you the skills and abilities to upgrade your membership from Silver Fleet to Gold Fleet and certify you to charter our 33' - 37' boats for day sails. Taught aboard a Gold Fleet vessel, hands-on lessons include anchoring, mooring, docking, using an in-mast furling mainsail, crew overboard recovery maneuvers, and boat systems.

This clinic is for members only.

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Mastering Sail Trim Clinic

One Day, 9am - 3:30pm

Learn how to control the shape of your sails to greatly enhance your sailing experience. Whether you are a competitive racer or an efficiency-minded cruiser, this course will teach you the skills to maximize speed and balance on every point of sail within a variety of conditions. After a short discussion about the art and science of sail trim, you will receive hands-on practice to observe the effects of easing and trimming and learn to achieve the best possible performance under sail.

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Light Wind Sailing Techniques Clinic

One Day, 9am - 3:30pm

Sailing in light wind can be very pleasant and easy but can also be a challenge if you lack the necessary skills. Gain the skills to be a confident light air sailor and continue sailing through those fair winter days when winds tend to be light. Topics covered include sail selection, control lines, halyard settings, and techniques for maximizing your boat's performance on all points of sail.

Due to strong winds on SF Bay in the summertime, this clinic is only available during late fall through early spring.

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Heavy Weather Sailing Clinic

One Day, 9am - 3:30pm

The more you sail in winter or make long passages, the more likely it becomes that you’ll eventually encounter foul weather. This one-day clinic will introduce you to heavy weather sailing equipment, preparation, and techniques. Taught aboard our Spencer 44 Coho II, your instructor will cover topics such as personal safety equipment, high wind line handling techniques, setting up storm sails and running rigging, types of drogues and sea anchors, and steering in large following seas.

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Mastering Asymmetrical Spinnaker for Cruisers

Are dreams of long-distance cruising on your horizon? Learn to make the most of light winds on downwind points of sail by learning to fly the asymmetrical spinnaker!

This clinic prepares the aspiring cruiser to fly a Cruising Asymmetrical Spinnaker (CAS) when passage-making with short-handed crew. Students will learn how to hoist, trim, and jibe this beautiful downwind auxiliary sail. Special handling techniques and emergency procedures are also covered.

Due to strong winds on SF Bay in the summertime, this clinic is only available during late fall through early spring.

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Night Sailing Clinic

Night sailing can be an enchanting experience. The many lights and reflections dancing on the water are beautiful but can disorient sailors inexperienced with piloting a boat in the dark. Learn to safely enjoy the beauty of sailing at night by joining our Night Sailing Clinic!

Hands-on learning and practice on the water under the guidance of a USCG licensed instructor will strengthen your confidence during nighttime outings. Learn to recognize aids to navigation and vessel navigation lights, anchor, check and adjust sail trim, and utilize safety equipment at night.

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Club Skipper Clinic

Are you a Platinum or Catamaran Fleet-certified club member and ready to take the lead on Club Sails? This clinic will prepare you to be the best Club Skipper you can be. Your instructor on board will review best charter practices and docking, reefing, boat systems, and crew communication skills.

The benefits of being a Club Skipper include:

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Platinum Fleet Docking & Maneuvering Clinic

The winds and tidal currents of San Francisco Bay can be challenging to sailors not only when sailing out on the bay, but especially when maneuvering larger boats in and out of dock slips and narrow fairways. Join us for this one-day clinic in which you will learn strategies and techniques to safely and efficiently dock a 36’ – 41’ auxiliary-powered sailboat in a variety of conditions. You’ll increase your overall boat handling confidence by acquiring knowledge of basic auxiliary power theory, engine and steering controls, proper use of dock lines, crew communication, and safety.