Start your sailing journey with our First Sail or Level 1 course. Learn the basics and gain the skills needed to join our advanced sailing courses.
Spring 2025 class registration is scheduled to open on Wednesday, March 26th, at 12:00 PM. Looking for a flexible way to explore the water at the UC Aquatic Center? In addition to our classes, we also offer kayak and equipment rentals—perfect for your own adventure on your schedule!
First Sail
Always wanted to try sailing? Never knew how, or are you a little anxious about it? Come sail with our amazing instructors. This short class will give you an idea of what it’s like to sail on the San Francisco Bay. It’s a lot of fun, easy, and you’ll love it!
Price: Student – $15 / Non-Student – $30 – Each participant must sign up individually.
**The course fee is non-refundable less than 24 hours prior to the first class meeting.
| Dates | Time | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 26th | 10:00am – 12:00 pm | REGISTER |
| Saturday, April 26th | 12:30pm – 2:30pm | REGISTER |
| Sunday, April 27th | 10:00am – 12:00 pm | REGISTER |
| Sunday, April 27th | 12:30pm – 2:30pm | REGISTER |
Sailing Level 1 Basic Course
This is our signature sailing program. You’ll go from having never set foot in a boat to being able to sail confidently in the South Sailing Basin. It’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s unbelievably rewarding.
There are no prerequisites for this Level 1 Basic Sailing class.
- This course consists of eight class meetings. Due to the depth of the content covered in this course, participants are required to attend all class sessions.
- Please do not enroll if you are unable to commit to attending all class sessions.
- This course includes classes on graduation weekend. Please do not enroll if you are participating or attending graduation or commencement events that overlap with this course.
- Class time varies weekly for this course.
Price: Student – $55 / Non-Student – $250** – Each participant must sign up individually.
**The course fee is non-refundable less than 24 hours prior to the first class meeting.
| Dates | Days | Time | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5/10 – 5/11 5/17 – 5/18 5/24 – 5/25 5/31 – 6/1 |
SAT/SUN SAT/SUN SAT/SUN SAT/SUN |
8:30am – 2:30pm 12:00pm – 5:00pm 9:00am – 2:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm |
REGISTER |
Sailing Level 2 Offerings
Our Sailing Level 2 offerings are only open to those who know how to sail, either through participation in one of our Level 1 courses or by completing a check-out sail at the Marina. Instructor approval is required to participate in Level 2 offerings.
Our Level 2 Venture Sailing sessions are only for participants of both our Venture Intro Clinic and the Venture Skills Days. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at adventures@berkeley.edu.
Sailing Level 2: Returning Sailors Skills Day
Graduates of our Level 1 Basic Zest Sailing and Level 2 intro to RS Venture – join with fellow sailors to sharpen your skills while enjoying sailing in a group. Skills Day sessions offer more structured opportunities to advance than independent practice during Open Sail alone. This casual season opener session will include a brief Q&A as well as dockside and on the water coaching aimed at refreshing your skills in time for some great Spring sailing. Come on down to continue building your sailing skills and confidence while having some fun.
These events are only open to those who know how to sail, either through our classes or a check out sail at the Marina.
Price: Students $30 / Non-Students $55** – each participant must sign up or waitlist individually
**The course fee is non-refundable less than 24 hours prior to the first class meeting.
| Dates | Day | Time | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 12th – Zest Session A |
SAT |
10:30am – 1:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 12th – Zest Session B |
SAT |
1:30pm – 4:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 12th – Ventures Session A* |
SAT |
10:30am – 1:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 12th – Ventures Session B* |
SAT |
1:30pm – 4:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 13th – Zest Session A |
SUN |
10:30am – 1:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 13th – Zest Session B |
SUN |
1:30pm – 4:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 13th – Ventures Session A* |
SUN |
10:30am – 1:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 13th – Ventures Session B* |
SUN |
1:30pm – 4:00pm | REGISTER |
*Only qualified sailors who have completed the Venture Intro Clinic and the Venture Skills Days (or an equivalent check-out) may sign up for Venture Sailing, with instructor approval.
Sailing Level 2: Sunset Social Sailing
Come for a sunset sail! Join other sailors to set out in the early evening and ride the wind back to the dock in the setting sun. Share the water and the sunset social scene with adventurers from our other water-sports. After we return and put our boats and gear away, bring something to share with your sailor friends; we’ll supply the hot cocoa!
This event is only open to those who know how to sail, either through our classes or a check out sail at the Marina.
Price: Student – $30** / Non-Student – $55 – each participant must sign up individually.
**The course fee is non-refundable less than 24 hours prior to the first class meeting.
| Dates | Days | Time | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 5th – Zest Social Sailing | SAT | 5:00pm – 9:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 6th – Zest Social Sailing | SUN | 5:00pm – 9:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 5th – Ventures Social Sailing* | SAT | 5:00pm – 9:00pm | REGISTER |
| April 6th – Ventures Social Sailing* | SUN | 5:00pm – 9:00pm | REGISTER |
*Only qualified sailors who have completed the Venture Intro Clinic and the Venture Skills Days (or an equivalent check-out) may sign up for Venture Sailing, with instructor approval.
Sailing Level 2: Zest Racing Clinic
The Intro to Racing Clinic provides sailors with a first step into the exciting world of sailboat racing! This one-day course will feature both a classroom session and several rounds of racing. Participants will learn about the starting line, race tactics, wind awareness, rules of the road, and more!
This course is only open to people who know how to sail, either through our classes or a check out sail at the Marina.
Price: Students $30/ Non-Students $55** – each participant must sign up or waitlist individually
**The course fee is non-refundable less than 24 hours prior to the first class meeting.
| Dates | Time | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 26th | 12:30pm – 3:30pm | REGISTER |
| Sunday, April 27th | 12:30pm – 3:30pm | REGISTER |
Class Notes
- Location: UC Aquatic Center in the Berkeley Marina
- What to Bring
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- Approved sailors can also schedule equipment rentals at the UC Aquatic Center.
- If a class is full, please select the waitlist option in our online store. If a spot becomes available, we will offer the opening to the person closest to the top of the waitlist who expresses interest in the course.
Looking for a free way to adventure at the UC Aquatic Center, or one that works for your schedule? Check out our equipment rentals.
