24707 Dana Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 493-9493 - Fax (949) 493-3701
info@aventurasailing.com
33° 27.70' N - 117° 42.00' W

 

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Sailing Instruction

Whether you don't know bow from stern or you're a world cruiser, Aventura's Sailing Academy can teach you what you want and need to know. Over 6,000 students have taken courses with Aventura over the years, and learned to race and cruise safely and easily. With our proven teaching method, you can count on individual attention, plus good "team play" with your fellow students. Best of all, you'll learn to sail safely and confidently.


~ Basic Sailing ~

21 hrs., for beginners. After this, you'll charter sailboats as big as 31 ft.

I Intro & Terminology and Dockside Orientation
II Sailing Maneuvers [lab $45]
III Docking & Sailing review [lab $45]
IV Anchoring, Docking & Sailing Review, [lab $45]

The first class starts at 8am.
Parking available across the street from the Aventura building (if you don't have a gate card).

Next Courses:

- Sept 26, Oct 2, 9, 16, 17
- Oct 17, 23, 30, Nov 13, 14


CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE


~ Intermediate/Advanced Sailing ~

For those with experience, this course will let you charter boats through 36 ft.

I Sail Shape & Trim [lab $50]
II Weather & Maneuvers Under Power [lab $50]
III Night Sailing, Diesel & Electronic Nav [lab $50]
IV Anchoring & Heavy Weather[lab $50]

The first class starts at 8am.
Parking available across the street from the Aventura building (if you don't have a gate card).

Next Courses:

- Aug 28, Sept 11, 18, 26

Our Intermediate/Advanced course is designed for the experienced mariner and includes 12 hours of classroom lectures and 12 hours of on the water instruction aboard boats 32ft-36ft. Topics covered in the course include advanced sailing techniques, sail, shape and trim, night navigation, marine electronics, heavy weather seamanship and use of the sextant in navigation.

Please contact our office to make your reservation today - space is limited.
(949) 493-9493

This course prepares you for the larger boats.
Mark's Knots


Required for overnight charters and offshore island trips.
Take this in three sessions, or a single day, or by correspondence.

I Dead Reckoning / Plotting a Course
II Fixing a Position
III Electronic Navigation & Cruise Planning

Next Courses:

- Nov 3, 10, 17
Lecture I, II, & III

We also offer an excellent Navigation Correspondence Course, which covers the same material,
which you can take at your leisure, and return the test to receive your certification.
Call the office for pricing, details, and to have it sent to you, or ready for pick-up at the club!


Cruising Catalina Island

There's a lot more to Catalina than you can reach on a ferry in an afternoon! Whether your interest is snorkeling and diving in a deserted cove, hiking the interior, golfing at the West's oldest course, sailing all the way around the island, or being part of a fleet sail to Catalina, our experts will show you the best spots to explore, and how to sail to them on our boats. THERE IS NO WRITTEN EXAM!

Catalina Cruising Clinics:

TBA


Catalina Anchoring & Navigation Cruise

Oct 22-24

No Moorings Available? No Problem.
• Want practical experience anchoring at Catalina so you don’t have to depend on the moorings?
• Want to get your navigation certification for the weekend trip you have been thinking about?
• Want to complete your Superboat Certification?
Veteran instructor Marc Hughston will guide you, on a 3-day voyage, through the steps to navigate your way to Catalina, select and anchor in the best coves, and navigate home. Get the experience and get certified on this 3-day liveaboard class.

Click Here for More Information


Cruising to Catalina Easy As 1-2-3

One of the challenges for many new sailors is how to get the confidence to make that first voyage to Catalina. There have been many Aventura fleet sails across the channel; some were billed as for first-timers, but never such a specially designed program as our new 1-2-3 Catalina cruising program.

The program begins after graduation from the basic sailing program with encouragement to get involved in day charters with other members. Possibilities include social sails, racing, and family charters with security blankets called Shadow Skippers. During these experiences you begin to hear the stories about Catalina cruising.

A requirement for multiple day charters is passing Aventura's navigation exam, so this becomes number one in the 1-2-3 series leading to cruising. Navigation classes are offered approximately every two months.

Number two in the series is learning about Catalina cruising during a seminar offered by Bill McNeely, Aventura's own expert on the island. Bills one evening program provides an overview of planning, executing and enjoying the crews and even sends you home with a book and CD as well.

Number three is an actual fleet sail to Catalina. Not only will you sail together in a group of boats with knowledgeable and experienced members, you'll also have an expert fleet captain available to mentor and guide you through your first cruising experience. You'll be free to enjoy the island and group social gatherings without the stress of being alone or uncertain about your new sailing/cruising skills.

From this first cruising experience may come years of adventures in the California Channel Islands and maybe even islands in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. And it all begins with the first steps, as easy as 1-2-3.



Set Sail For Catalina Island
Here's A Package To Get You Ready NOW!
It's as easy as 1... 2... 3!!!

1.  Navigation & Coastal Piloting
2.  Cruising Catalina Island Seminar
3.  FLEET SAIL



1. Navigation & Coastal Piloting
Required for overnight charters and offshore island trips.
Coastal Navigation

Nov 3, 10, 17
7-9pm

I Dead Reckoning / Plotting 
II Fixing a Position 
III Cruise Planning / Electronic Navigation 

$100 Members
$125 Non-members




2. Cruising Catalina Island Seminar
Cruising Catalina Island
TBA

What an adventure! Sail your own boat to Catalina Island! Go places the shuttle never goes! Learn how YOU can do it with longtime Aventura member and Catalina cruising expert Bill McNeely. With over 200 color images and charts of the island, he will take you to over a dozen harbors and coves – from the big city at Avalon to deserted, undeveloped gems. You'll learn all you need to know to have a great time at Catalina!

No one can show you Catalina like Bill! As the author of the only cruising guide to the Island, and star of the DVD guide Cast Off for Catalina, Bill is your best source for Catalina knowledge. Just $45 for members & $55 for non-members. Call the office for reservations! THIS IS A VERY POPULAR CLASS.




3. Micro Brew Fest at Two Harbors
Sept 17-19

...more to come.

Buccaneer Days at Two Harbors
October 1-3

Join the fleet at Two Harbors, Catalina, for a party second only to Aventura's Luau in July. Come in pirate garb, practice the one letter pirate alphabet (Rrrrrr!) and enjoy a crazy good time.

With moorings at a premium this weekend, we strongly recommend a 4-day trip: Leave Thursday, join your fleet for an on-shore barbecue Friday night,be a Buccaneer on Saturday, and sail back Sunday. There's plenty of time to explore the west end of the island in the best sailing month of the year.

Reserve as early as July 1 for this trip if you are fully qualified and you will want to be!

Cruisers Weekend at Two Harbors
Oct 16-18

Watch this web site and newsletter for more details!



Docking Clinics

“How to Maneuver Your Boat in Tight Spaces in the Wind”
$50/per person – 5 Students Maximum

TBA


Private Lessons

Feel better with the personal attention of one of our instructors on a boat? Have specific things you want to brush up on? Need a special time? Want a lesson with just you and your family, or special friends? For whatever reason you want, we can provide a 3 hour private session  with one of our instructors on one of our boats, at a time convenient for you. Call the office to schedule a time and date, and for pricing info.



Shadow Sailors

This program has been developed to help newly graduated sailors feel more comfortable taking out their first charters.  A “shadow sailor” is an experienced Aventura member who will accompany the new member as a guest, and at no charge, to be a backup if help is needed, as reassurance, or to give reminders of things forgotten or unsafe.  If you want to take advantage of this volunteer program, contact the office and have the handout mailed to you or stop by and pick one up.  If you feel you are qualified to be a “Shadow Sailor” and would like to be a volunteer, please contact  captaincookrn@cs.com

SHADOW SAILORS

WHO? WHAT? WHY? HOW?

Shadow Sailors are simply volunteer Aventura members who have chartered boats, taken classes, and have a proven record of good seamanship.

Shadow Sailors are not instructors by license, but should be able to describe the multiple aspects of sailing, have the ability to recognize any unsafe situations, and be able to offer redirection to prevent an accident or damage to the charter boat. They neither charge for their services nor contribute to the expenses of the boat. They are a security blanket!

The Shadow Sailor program was developed to offer a newly certified sailor, or one who has not chartered for a long time, a way to gain confidence to charter a boat. They will encourage you, answer your questions, and talk you through maneuvers you feel unsure of. The Charterer may not offer or give compensation to them. You are responsible for your boat: making reservations, the boat checkout, all your paperwork, and the charges incurred thereby.

Why do Shadow Sailors do this? They love sailing, they are proud of being an Aventura member, and they want others to have the confidence to get out on the water with as little angst as possible.

If you want to BECOME a Shadow Sailor, contact me with a little resume of your sailing experience and I will have you added to our list. You should include your basic availability, i.e., Sat only, weekdays, after 5pm, etc.

If you NEED a Shadow Sailor, call the office to obtain a list of available Sailors and a more complete description of the program. You must make all contacts and arrangements, and your Shadow will find you!

Annette Cook 949.632.9565 CaptainCookRN@cs.com



To register for the Aventura Crew List, click here.


~ NOTICE ~
24 hour cancellation is required on a reservation for all classes to avoid charges.


LNM LIST SERVER REGISTRATION
Sign up for weekly email delivery of the
Local Notices to Mariners as well as Light List updates at:

http://navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/listserver.htm



Mark's Knots

Bowline

Sheetbend Flying Sheetbend Double Flying Sheetbend

One Handed Bowline

Double Bowline Flying Bowline Double Flying Bowline