Getting Started with Chicago Sailing

Annually, Chicago Sailing helps hundreds of people learn to sail. Our sequential programs of on-the-water training have transformed countless Chicago landlubbers into bona fide captains.

It all starts with Basic Sailing 101. Our most popular course for a few simple reasons - it gets you on the water, in the boat and in 4 or 5 sessions you are certified to rent one of our own J/22’s. Read more about the course and schedule by clicking here.

For those who have extensive captaining experience, but have never taken an instructional course or those who took an instructional course and were separated from the water for a period of time, Chicago Sailing offers our Refresher Sailing 121 course. Designed to polish your knowledge of skills and terms, Refresher Sailing is the perfect precursor to Advanced Sailing 161 for those who find Basic is just a bit too basic. Read the course agenda and sign-up by clicking here .

When you have been bitten by the sailing bug there’s nothing left to do but take our Advanced Sailing 161 course. At the end of this course, students can sit for US SAILING’s Basic Keelboat Certification test. Successful graduates are awarded certification and join the ranks of US SAILING. Find out more here.

At Chicago Sailing, we love when a new member joins our ranks who can’t wait to take Basic, Advancedand some of our 200 level courses in one season. As instructors though, we understand the importance of practicing your newly learned skills. This is why we think Club Sailing is so great. Taking place 3 days a week, Club Sailing places you and others of our sailors on one of our J/22’s for a few hours of sailing on Lake Michigan. With other sailors on the boat with you, you can practice all of your sailing skills in a safe and fun environment. Better yet, if you join us on Tuesday, a BBQ will be waiting for you when you get back to shore. Reserve your spot today.