Frequently Asked Questions - Adult Program

The Edgewood Sailing School admits students of any race, skin color, or national origin to all activities accorded and made available at the School.

Anyone, at any time, who participates in sailing, or seeks access to the docks or the boats must wear an approved life vest, and must be able to swim.

Class is about to start.

Begin leaving your "sailing stuff" in your car, so you're always ready to go sailing.  

Please park along the hill, as the small parking lot on the south side of the Club frequently is filled, especially on Tuesday and Friday evenings.  

Please leave in your car anything of value that is not waterproof and does not float.  The boats do not have a good place to keep anything very big, so please leave your handbag and all valuables (and cellphone if it is not waterproof) in your car, and then leave your car keys, if you wish, in the Sailing School office.

Please meet us at the Sailing School Building, in the south lot of the Edgewood Yacht Club.  We'll be there to welcome you. Look for signs.

Please dress appropriate to the weather and wear/bring:  

• shorts or comfortable pants, shirt
• a change of clothing (we  never expect to be in the water; but "just in case") for a comfortable drive home.
• closed-toe soft-soled boating shoes or running shoes.  Light colored soles only, to prevent leaving marks on the boats' white decks..
• life-jacket (vest-style, USCG-rated Type III pfd)* - you can borrow a life-jacket from the Sailing School during during any class or activity on the water.
• sports cap for the sun (if you wish)
• sunglasses (probably with strap)
• ordinary glasses, if you wear them (probably with strap)
• loose fitting nylon windbreaker that will fit over your life jacket, if the weather is damp, windy, or chill.
• when the weather is rain, or going on a picnic sail, bring along a waterproof jacket (foul-weather gear).

Our informal on-shore teaching is not complex enough to require extensive note taking. Notebooks, etc. are not needed.

IMPORTANT - Bad weather & Emergency Contact:

1. Sailing School classes always meet, even if the weather doesn't look like it's good for sailing — we'll sail or be inside doing "shore" stuff, according to what's safe and what's practical.  
2. If a class does have to be cancelled, we will
   • send an email to you
   • post a Notice to Edgewood Mariners <http://www.edgewoodsailing.org/> on the website
   • post a change in the calendar<http://www.edgewoodsailing.org/adult/calendar>
3. How to contact us:
   • Sailing School Office telephone: 401-785-3317
   • Sailing School contact:  www.EdgewoodSailing.org/contact
   • Emergency - conact Jonathan (cell: will be sent to you before class)

Every student must have their own Coast Guard approved Type III personal floatation device (PFD). You can find more information about borrowing or purchasing a PFD here.

You should have a whistle tied to your PFD so that you can signal an instructor if you need assistance. Some PFDs come with these built-in, or you can tie on a plastic whistle with a bit of string.

We ask all students to wear light-soled non-marking shoes to help keep the boats looking their best. You can get special boat shoes if you prefer, but sneakers work fine as well.

Some students like to wear sailing gloves, though these are optional. Sailing gloves provide a firm grip and help prevent rope burn. They are especially helpful on windier days. Most warm-weather sailing gloves have open fingertips that make it easier to tie and untie knots.

Dress for the weather and wear sunscreen. The sun gets hot, and can't be avoided in an open cockpit. The wind can also get quite cool. A light jacket can help you adjust to changing conditions.

It's best to leave as much non-sailing gear ashore as possible. You can lock this in your car, or leave it in the sailing school office during class. If there are personal items you'd like to keep with you, place them in a zip-top bag to keep them dry.

There are many opportunities to sail together, if you're in the same class, or taking individual lessons.  

Most group classes move students from boat to boat, and sometimes solo, to get the best sailing experience.  

The instructor coaches each sailor at her/his own level, so the pace of learning moves right along, and its fun.

To participate in classes at the Edgewood Sailing School, you must agree to the terms of our Adult Waiver. We will send you an electronic waiver for your digital signature before your first class each season.

We accept credit cards (through Stripe), checks and cash. Adult program tuition and Fees are due, in full, no later than the first meeting.

Refunds are not available.

Edgewood Sailing School has an “alcohol and water don’t mix” policy. Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol creates an unnecessary additional risk that ESS will not tolerate. No use of alcohol prior to or during any ESS session or while operating or otherwise on board any ESS boat is permitted under any circumstances. No one who appears intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled or illegal substance will be allowed on board any ESS vessel at any time. By participating in ESS boating activities, all participants agree to this policy. We thank you for your cooperation in maintaining as safe and enjoyable an environment as possible.