CA-1: sailing fundamentals course
Tahoe City | California
Your sailing journey starts here.
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Courses available June-August.
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CA-1 is an immersive sailing course that gives beginners the practical skills and confidence to safely sail on their own.
No experience required.
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Whether you dream of owning a sailboat, joining local races, or setting off on bigger adventures, we'll help you get there.​
Select a date to get started
Tell me more...
01/
WHAT IS WEATHER?!
How does wind work & local weather forecasting tools
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BASIC SAILING THEORY
How we harness the wind & points of sail
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HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Learn crew roles of helming, working the sheets & navigating. Become experts in the tack & gybe.
04/
CREWMANSHIP
Importance of working as a team & how to be the best crew possible
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SAILBOAT ANATOMY
Learn to communicate about boats like a true sailor
06/
BASIC DOCKING THEORY
Get the tools to prepare yourself for docking
07/
BASIC ANCHORING THEORY
Get he tools and general knowledge to prepare yourself for anchoring
08/
KNOTS 101
Learn the most commonly used knots, a sailor's best friend
09/
SAILBOAT SAFETY
How to stay aboard & keep all your fingers intact
10/
CRUISERS ACADEMY “SAILING BIBLE”
Get your own waterproof handbook with the CA-1 Curriculum, certifications, notes & nautical mile logger
what
will I
learn?
who is this
courseÂ
designed
for?
Is CA-1 a good fit for you?
This Sailing Fundamentals Course is designed for people who have never set foot on a boat and sailors who want to spend time on the water, deepen their understanding, and sharpen their intuitive sailing skills.
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The minimum age for this course is 14 years old. If you are between the ages of 14-17, a guardian must participate in the course with you. If you feel your kid is capable of taking the course at a younger age, please reach out and let us know.
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If you are a more seasoned sailor, this course is still great for you! We've had many experienced sailors and racers join and share that they still got a lot of knowledge out of the course! If you are more interested in ocean sailing, check out our offshore cruising course which may be a better fit for you.
who's
teaching
the
course?
CA Instructors
CA-1 courses are taught by either Brady Trautman, Ryan Noble, or a combination of other hand-picked, experienced instructors.
Brady & Blue have built this course from the ground up, developed a curriculum and program that has successfully taught hundreds of people to sail, and trained an elite group of carefully selected Captains to continue spreading our love of sailing. As Cruisers Academy grows, and we include new instructors in the CA-1 program, we can guarantee that all Captains provide the same caliber of expertise.
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Read more about the CA CREW here.
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If any instructor is sick, a trusted and qualified instructor will stand in.
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