Some of the Best Sailing Schools in Rhode Island

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Black Rock Sailing School (BRSS) is an ASA approved sailing school and its main office is located at Fan Pier Marina in South Boston MA. The BRSS has more branches in the New England region at Marblehead MA, Warwick RI, and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The instructors are not only experienced professionals, they also care about your goals and progress. The school teaches few students at a time on some excellent training boats, offering an extremely high level of instruction. BRSS has a full-service sailing school in Warwick RI. BRSS new multi-media classroom and top-notch marina facilities at Brewer Yacht Yard, Cowesett are located in the heart of picturesque Narragansett Bay. Narragansett Bay is renowned for its dependable winds, numerous scenic and protected harbors, and relatively light boating traffic.


ASA Courses, Advanced Cruising Courses and Boat Charter at Brewer Cove Haven Marina, Barrington RI - Narragansett Sailing (NS) offers Sailing Lessons in the RI Sailing School, plus Bareboat Chartering and Fractional Sailing with the charter fleet. Starting as a sailboat dealer years ago, NS has seen customers struggle with the dilemma of having the desire to get into sailing, but could not justify spending the money to buy a boat without knowing if it was something the family would enjoy, not to mention not having the knowledge base to make an intelligent decision. Narragansett Sailing offers a multitude of different paths to sample sailing without making a big financial commitment.

New England Sailing Center (NESC) is an accredited US Sailing training facility offering beginner through advanced sailing certification courses. NESC offers introductory courses as well as accelerated curriculums. Group courses are held weekly with a maximum of four students per course to ensure ample hands on training for each student. Private courses are also available for individuals, couples and families. Private courses for individuals provide the maximum one-on-one instruction and hands on experience. Each student can determine the level of instruction they want during their sailing experience including a ride along, becoming competent crew or certification.

Rob Swain Sailing School is an accredited training facility of the foremost sailing associations in the US, offering sailing certification courses. RSSS also offers the International Bareboat Skipper’s Certification for both sailing and powerboating. Founded more than 23 years ago, Rob Swain Sailing School also operates in British Virgin Islands.

Founded in 1899, Bristol Yacht Club (BYC) sits in the west side of Bristol Harbor in the old Red Crest Estate in Rhode Island. Membership at BYC offers a wide variety of boating activities and social functions to enhance your yachting experience. BYC’s competitive but friendly Wednesday race series often draws more than 40 boats on the line and also BYC is active in the NBYA (Narragansett bay Yachting Association), MOHOSA (Mount Hope Sailing Association), and Newport to Bermuda races. BYC annual Sid Clark Offshore Race dates back to 1904 and may well be the oldest distance race in the country. Participants in the sailing classes have access to Bristol Yacht Club docks and house of during and immediately after lessons.

The East Bay Sailing Foundation (EBSF) is a non-profit sail training program offering classes for all ages. The eight week summer programs are open to the public. The Adult Mercury Program accommodates all knowledge levels. Beginning classes are an introduction to sailing with no experience necessary, having an instructor in every boat at all times. The Intermediate class is for people with some sailing experience desiring to improve boat handling skills, and introducing new skills not covered in the beginner class. The Advanced classes are for experienced sailors who wish to continue sharpening their skills. The finer points of sail trim and boat handling are covered, as well as an introduction to racing, strategy, and spinnaker handling. Safety on the water is a large focus in all classes. The Adult Sailing Program is provided in 8 week sessions of 1 day a week.

The Edgewood Sailing School is located on the historic campus of the Edgewood Yacht Club, in the Edgewood section of Cranston, RI. Edgewood Sailing School Adult program offers sailing lessons for families and for individuals of all ages on a well maintained fleet of Rhodes 19 keel boats. Classes or individual lessons are scheduled during the summer on weekdays or weekends, during the day or in the evening. A new sailor starts with basics, presented in very small groups or individually - but from there on she/he moves on at their own pace: options for training, social sailing, racing, day-long cruises, or on-shore for tactics, navigation, or the traditional seaman's arts.

Newport Sailing School and Tours offers daily sailing cruises of Newport harbor and Narragansett Bay as well as the in sailing lessons and instruction. The school is located at downtown Newport, RI. The daily sailing tours will take you sailing past scenic downtown Newport’s charming waterfront, yachts of the rich and famous, seaside estates, Fort Adams, lighthouses, and many other spectacular sights. For more than 50 years, Newport Sailing School and Tours has been introducing people to the joy and art of pure sailing. You can also take advantage of our successful basic, intermediate or advanced sailing courses. The curriculum is designed to provide the ultimate sailing instruction in the shortest period of time.

Founded in 1983, Sail Newport is a non-profit 501 (C) (3) organization and is home to New England's largest public sailing center. Sail Newport is considered Rhode Island's premier public sailing site.Award winning instructional programs, fleets of rental boats and a prime one-design sailing facility equipped with hoists are just some of Sail Newport features. Dinghy docks, ramp-launching, summer and winter storage, on-shore conveniences and ample free parking round out Sail Newport’s assets to recreational sailors. Located at picturesque Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Sail Newport offers easy and affordable access to sailing.