People interested in learning how to sail will find a variety of American Sailing Association-certified schools in Oregon. ASA sailing courses are available to Oregon visitors and residents, from beginners to boat racing enthusiasts. Some schools even offer sailing instruction to children. No matter your level of experience, you can find a way to cruise the Pacific Ocean, Willamette River or Columbia River.
Basic Sailing Instruction
Beginners first learning to sail typically start in a classroom-like setting that outlines the fundamentals of sailing on a real boat with a steering wheel and a diesel inboard engine. At a sailing school offered by Passion Yachts you can take your first lessons aboard a Hunter 28 on the Columbia River. Study topics include sailing terminology and technology, boating safety, common knots and docking. You can then move on to a basic coastal sailing course where you will learn about federal safety equipment, sails, wind conditions, VHF radio use and skipper and crew duties.
Coastal Navigation
No matter which sailing school you attend in Oregon, proper coastal navigation is a skill you will need if you intend to head out into the Pacific Ocean. This ASA-certified course is typically taught in a classroom setting and has no prerequisites. Basic coastal navigation courses are designed to familiarize students with the Northwest Pacific coast and coast-wise navigation. Study topics include terrestrial fixes, running fixes, introduction to navigational aids, tide calculations, charts and plotting.
Gender-Specific Sailing Instruction
If you are an Oregon woman interested in sailing, who also prefers to learn in the company of other women, the Oregon Women's Sailing Association (OWSA) will teach you everything there is to know about sailing in the Pacific Northwest. The OSWA in Portland offers four courses designed for women that include instruction in basic sailing, cool maneuvers and cruising class--and a racing class where you will learn the fundamentals of boat racing with an all-female crew. The racing series provides mentors to women who want one. You can also train to become a permanent crew member.
Junior Sailing Instruction
Most Oregon sailing schools require students to be older than age 18. However, children of all ages can learn the art of sailing on the Willamette River through Portland's Willamette Sailing Club. In addition to regular adult sailing courses, the club offers a wide variety of courses and activities geared to children ages 13 and under and 14 to 18. Classes include the basics of sailing and boat racing. The club also has a week-long youth summer camp.
Boat Sales and Shows
Passion Yachts in Portland, Oregon sells boats and yachts and also has regularly-scheduled boat shows and sailing events. Club members who list their vessels for sale receive help from Passion Yachts in finding a buyer. Boats are also shown at monthly boat shows on the Passion Yachts docks and are featured in advertisements on boats.com, sailboatowners.com and yachtworld.com.
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