Sailing solo is peaceful and serene, and otherwise a little hard to describe to those who've never tried it.

Sharing this indescribable experience with others is even better. We invite you to join us at Corliss Pond and begin to learn to sail for FREE! After one weekend of classes, you will have the basic knowledge needed to develop your talents as a sailor. For the current class schedule, have a look at our Events calendar.

There really is no cost to you, apart from the time you're investing and your travel to Corliss Pond (we do accept donations to the association, which help to defray some of our own costs). Why do this? We think that this community of sailors, and you among us, will make West Virginia an even better place to work, live and play.

These free classes have been offered to hundreds of people of all ages in recent years, and we've learned too. One unfortunate lesson has been that some people don't value what they don't pay for, and we'll reserve them space in one of those very limited classes only to have them fail to show, nor even to call and let us know they can't come. It's takes a lot of preparation to teach these classes, so beginning in 2018 we ask registrants to donate $25 per person when they register. We'll happily refund that when you complete the class or you can tell us to keep it as a tax-deductible contribution. Either way, everybody wins and we'll all benefit from a class size that's manageable and safe.

Although we would love to teach all the folks who call or e-mail us, we must consider your safety first. To join our Basics of Sailing classes, using our club boats, you should:

  • Weigh less than 220 lbs.

  • Be less than 6 ft. tall

  • Be able to swim

  • Be at least 15 years of age

  • Be available for both Saturday and Sunday class sessions

We would be happy to work with you on your own boat, too.

Planting the seeds for a new crop of sailors

"Imagine a state with beautiful lakes, clean and clear waters, nearly devoid of power boats and crowds. Can you envision, as I do, a sailboat slipping quietly across those waters? No noise, no real costs, no pollution, adding only its grace to an already wonderful sight."

Bob Richards