Promoting watersport in Sarasota with sailing education and instruction

Get Involved

+1.941.388.2355

Promoting watersport in Sarasota with sailing education and instruction

Get Involved

+1.941.388.2355

Active Programs

Basic Sailing Instruction: Start Sailing Now

Advanced & Intermediate Sailing Skills: Racing

Start Sailing Now, In partnership with the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sail Sarasota is developing an educational program curriculum in the basic sailing course which will include the development of a series of videos on sailing instruction.

Advanced & Intermediate Sailing Skills: Racing

Regattas are where sailing skills are perfected and boat handling skills are exercised most precisely. Beginning sailors often struggle with boat handling and mastering these skills is a key step towards water safety. Racing skills are honed at weekend regattas.

To support Regattas, Sail Sarasota identifies specific needs in the Sailing Education programs and searches for potential donors who may be interested in donating equipment that supports advanced training and regattas.

Regattas, Race Committee and Race Management

Advanced & Intermediate Sailing Skills: Racing

Regattas, Race Committee and Race Management

Instruction in Race Committee, mark boat, safety boat, power boat safety are taught yearly at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Principle race officer instruction and Race Management skills are taught and certified by US Sailing at the Sailing Squadron. Race management skills are an essential part of our mission to improve sailing performance.

About Sail Sarasota

Many active sailing venues have a 501(c)(3) that promotes education and a 501(c)(7) that provides services such as boat storage. In 1980, Sarasota Youth Sailing was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) and is successful as an educational program for youths 5-18. Discussion at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron began in 2012 of a second 501(c)(3) for adult education. In 2015, Start Sailing Now program for adults started at the Sailing Squadron and has increased in size. A rental program has also grown with the addition of a small number of boats rented for students to practice. In 2017, seeing the potential to enhance education, advanced skill development and water safety, the Board of Sarasota Sailing Squadron authorized a $5,000 seed money loan to start Sail Sarasota, Inc. which was incorporated in December, 2017. The five volunteer members of the board of directors who started Sail Sarasota as a public charity remain unchanged. We have no members and no paid staff. The manager of Sail Sarasota volunteers his time and he is also the manager of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Sail Sarasota fulfills its mission by supporting educational activities on Sarasota Bay and surrounds. Sail Sarasota has no physical assets other than occasional donated boats and equipment which are either sold for funds to support our mission or repaired and donated in-kind to support our mission. Most of our funding has come from grants. Our meetings occur and records are stored on the grounds of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron which is the land lease-holder from the City of Sarasota.