At Community Sailing New Orleans, we believe that everyone should have access to Lake Ponchartrain.
Due to the construction of our new headquarters building, Access Passes and Learn to Sail Courses are not currently being offered. We anticipate that the Access Pass program will resume in June 2024, and Learn to Sail classes will likely start again in Spring of 2025. We’ll share updates about these programs in our monthly newsletter and on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Access Pass
As an Access Pass holder, you have access to our fleet and facilities.
As an Access Pass holder, you have access to our fleet and facilities. You’ll also receive discounts on sailing lessons and camps. Your annual dues help fund our social impact programs for young people, individuals with disabilities, and military veterans.
Student
- Access to Paddle Boards, Club 420s, and Independence 20s
- No guest fees
- 10% off adult sailing classes
Individual
- Access to the Paddle Boards, Club 420s, and Independence 20s
- $10 guest fee
- 10% off of youth summer camps
- 10% off adult sailing classes
Family
- Access to Paddle Boards, Club 420s, Independence 20s, Capri 26
- No guest fees
- 10% off of youth summer camps
- 10% off adult sailing classes
Corporate
- 5 Family passes with all benefits
- 10% off of team building events
Requirements
Access Pass holders must be 18 years of age or older.
To become an access pass holder, you need to complete a written test and practical test. Paddle board users do not require a test but must complete a water safety briefing with a member of the Community Sailing New Orleans staff.
Learn to Sail
We offer group sailing lessons for adults at beginning and intermediate levels.
Beginner Keelboat Course
Learn the fundamentals of sailing on the Independence 20s, a fixed keelboat which makes for a stable platform to learn. This course will teach you basic nomenclature, safety, knots, rigging, steering, how sails work, and rules of the road. This 12-hour course is divided into 6 courses over a two-week time period.
Intermediate Keelboat Course
The Intermediate Keelboat course builds upon lessons learned in the beginner class. Topics covered will include more advanced sail trim, balanced boat handling, and basic navigation. This 10-hour course is divided into 5 courses over two weeks.
Women in the Wind
We also offer the Women in the Wind program. This program was designed for women of all skill sets and aims to cultivate a culture of positive female role models in sailing. These clinics can range from learning to sail, refinement of skills, or focus on racing.
Veteran Sailing
Oscar J. Tolmas Veteran Sailing Program
The Oscar J. Tolmas Veteran Sailing Program is provided free of charge to active military members and veterans who served in our armed forces, thanks to support from the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust. Participants learn the fundamentals of sailing as well as basic nomenclature, safety, knots, rigging, steering, how sails work, and the rules of the road. During each session, participants meet on Saturday and Sunday mornings for three weeks.
Our facilities and fleet of boats can accommodate veterans with disabilities or mobility challenges. We provide specialized equipment, instruction, and support to enable veterans of all abilities to participate in sailing and enjoy the benefits of being on the water.
We also offer sailing clinics throughout the year in conjunction with our community partners who work and serve veterans, including the New Orleans VA and Bastion Community of Resilience.
Who: Active and Retired members of the US Military.
Requirements: No sailing experience required.
Cost: This program is free, thanks to the support of the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust.
When: Each session of this program is a total of 6 classes. Classes are from 9-11am on Saturdays and Sundays over a three-week period.
Where: Community Sailing New Orleans, 101 N. Roadway, New Orleans, LA 70124
What to Bring: Please be sure to wear or bring appropriate clothing, including closed-toed shoes, sun protection (sunglasses, hats, sunscreen), a rain jacket, and a water bottle. We will provide life preservers for each participant. You are more than welcome to bring your own as long as it is US Coast Guard approved.
How to Register: Register on our calendar by clicking the link below or call 504-233-3292.
Group & Corporate Outings
Sailing is the perfect platform for team building.
It brings together a group of individuals who must communicate and act as a cohesive unit to move the boat forward.
We can customize each outing to accomplish your group’s goals, from teaching fundamentals of crew work to having teams navigate around the racecourse.
Email us at [email protected] or call us at 504-233-3292 for more details.
