California Sailing Academy

The California Sailing Academy is one of the oldest and best known sailing schools in the country. It has taught more than 40,000 people to sail since it's opening in 1964. The schools program was designed by Paul J. Miller, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Miller taught Astrophysics, wrote his masters thesis on the techniques of teaching sailing, and coached the sailing team. Classes include Basic Sailing, Intermediate Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, Advanced Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Coastal Cruising, Offshore Passage, Coastal Navigation, and Celestial Navigation. The curriculum starts students on a 27-foot pure sailboat and allows them to sail inside the marina. Once students learn the basics and feel safe sailing without auxiliary power, boats with engines are introduced and students begin sailing on their own. Each of the courses is available for group or private instruction and can be taught on the weekends and weekdays. Students can also use their own boats. The program uses classroom time where students working with videos, models, and workbooks in addition to the time spent on the water. The program also offers classes through area universities like UCLA and Pepperdine Univiversity. If you want to learn to sail and you live in the Marina del Rey area, contact the California Sailing Academy.