Bay Area Sailing School, located at the Watergate Yachting Center near Kemah in the Clear Lake area south of Houston, is in the heart of the third largest yachting center in the United States. Founded in May, 1999 for the purpose of offering a full service sailing school to bring the sailing experience to the ever-growing population of the Houston area, Bay Area Sailing School places emphasis on a quality learning experience that is enjoyable as well as educational.

Bay Area Sailing School's affiliation with Sackett Sailing Center offers the ASA student not only the opportunity to learn, but also a fleet of boats available to rent in order to gain additional experience. Sackett Sailing Center, founded in 1982, is the oldest and largest charter company in the Houston area.

In the short time since it's inception, Bay Area Sailing School has earned the prestigious ASA School of the Year award for the central region of the United States for two years. The credit for this outstanding achievement goes to our team of certified ASA instructors, who believe in offering the new sailor, not only the best training available, but also making this a very enjoyable experience. Our instructors are all very dedicated to upholding the ASA standards as well as imparting their love of the sport to newcomers.

Our goal is to teach you to sail or enhance your current skills. Class size is limited to ensure each student receives a great deal of personal training. Our school can take you from novice (never been on a boat) to sailing in the Caribbean on your next vacation. Whatever your goal, we can help you achieve it through our ASA certified courses. After completion of the Basic Keelboat certification, students are able to rent sailboats up to 30' from Sackett's in order to gain additional experience. Students are able to progress to renting larger sailboats as their skill level increases.

Watergate Yachting Center is on Clear Lake, half way between Houston and Galveston, Texas. With its access to Galveston Bay, this area offers sailors many exciting and challenging opportunities.

The many area sailing and yacht clubs offer the competitive sailor racing programs at all levels, from around the buoys racing in Clear Lake and Galveston Bay to the Regatta de Amigos (every other year from Galveston to Veracruz, Mexico). Alternating with the Regatta de Amigos is the Emerald Coast Regatta, a race from Galveston to Pensacola, Florida. The Harvest Moon Regatta, from Galveston to Port Aransas, Texas, held each October, is the largest offshore regatta in the United States, with over 200 boats participating.

Bay Area Sailing School uses the Harvest Moon Regatta each year to conduct Advanced Coastal Cruising classes in addition to the spring session of Advanced Coastal Cruising classes. With race courses of over 150 miles, the students have the opportunity to put all their sailing knowledge to the practical test.

Once a student has gained the experience and confidence to go on with their training, Bay Area Sailing School offers a unique opportunity. The Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering certifications are combined into a 3-day live-aboard class, which also includes a full day's sail offshore from Galveston . During this trip, the students have the opportunity to experience situations which many sailors go a lifetime without encountering.

The trip necessitates a sail down the Houston Ship Channel, one of the busiest in the United States. Dealing with, and being aware of all the container ships, tankers, shrimp boats, and barges using this waterway requires the utmost awareness. The first night is spent in Galveston, either at anchor or at the Harbor House Marina if slips are available. While at Galveston, charts are checked, the course is planned, and safety equipment is inspected and made ready (e.g., jacklines are rigged, etc.)

The next day includes an offshore sail in the Gulf of Mexico. The second  night is spent at Offatts Bayou  . The third day's trip includes a jaunt up the Intracoastal Waterway. During this time, students not only have the experience of operating within confined waterways, but in dealing with, and communicating with the vast amount of barge traffic. All of the instruction is done on board while underway, and utilizes the many practical experiences that are encountered.

After completion of this intensive class, students not only have obtained proficiency in the handling of a cruising boat, but will also have the personal confidence to venture offshore. This is one of the most valuable aspects of this combined class.

With its location on the upper Texas coast, and the moderate weather, Bay Area Sailing School is able to offer classes year round.

Call now to book your class!

It's easy!    It's fun!                       
It's safe!    It's affordable!     

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