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First Sail

Step Aboard And Expand Your Horizons.

Explore the Elizabeth River with friends or family on a 2-hour introductory sail with an experienced instructor. Part of US Sailing’s First Sail Experience, learn the basics of sailing in a safe and relaxed setting. Enjoy Downtown Norfolk from a different viewpoint as you discover your passion for sailing. 

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What You’ll Experience

Your First Sail experience will include water safety, parts of the boat, how to sail upwind and downwind, steering, tacking and jibing. This experience is 95% on the water, so each student will spend time learning and demonstrating each of the three main tasks aboard a Harbor 20 sailboat:

Trimming the mainsail
Trimming the jib
Steering with a tiller

First Sail faqs

  • First Sails are offered seasonally from April-October on select days/time throughout these months. Click here to see available First Sails.
  • Looking for a different date? To request an additional date or time, please contact us 72 hours in advance.
  • We strive to have three students aboard: Single and double entries may be joined by others.
  • If you would like an individualized experience, you may purchase all three spaces to guarantee a one-on-one sail with an instructor.
  • Book Now.

We will make every attempt to reschedule your experience. However, if you need to cancel or reschedule for any reason, changes are subject to a $25 processing fee.

Refunds will be made according to the timeline below:

  • Cancellations made more than 4 weeks in advance of the scheduled start date of your sailing experience are entitled to a full refund minus the $25 processing fee.
  • Cancellations made less than 4 weeks and more than 1 week in advance of the scheduled start date are entitled to a 50% refund of the program fee minus the $25 processing fee.
  • Cancellations made less than 1 week in advance of the scheduled start date are non-refundable.

No refunds or discounts will be made for missed classes, vacation days or dismissal from the program.

  • We sail in the rain.
  • We do not sail in thunder and lightning.
  • We do not sail in high winds.