What should I wear to sailing class?

Come to class dressed for the outdoors, in clothes that can keep you reasonably dry if they get rain and/or sea spray on them, and that will keep you warm if you do get wet. We recommend having several layers so you can adjust easily. Note that in the summer, it's typically much cooler out on the water. The water also reflects the sunlight, so good UV protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sunshirt, etc) is highly recommended.

We recommend close-toed shoes because flip flops, Tevas, etc have a tendency to catch on stuff and leave toes unprotected. Aquasocks, tennis / running shoes, Keens, etc. are all great options.

Will life jackets be provided?

Yes. We have US Coast Guard approved Type III life jackets (also called "PFDs" for "personal flotation devices") in all sizes. You are welcome to bring your own Coast Guard Approved Type III PFD, or use one of ours.

Anything else you recommend I bring?

Feel free to bring whatever food / snacks / drinks you'll need for the duration of the class each day. Other than that, just show up ready to learn and have fun!

I'm nervous about the boat tipping over. How likely is that?

Many people are nervous about this. The boats used in our Learn to Sail and Adventure sailing programs are large and relatively stable, and we can reduce the sail area depending on the conditions to make them less likely to tip. That said, it is possible for them to to tip over - but it's typically quick and easy to right the boat. Before we go out sailing, we will practice capsizes so you will know what to do if one should happen.

Is there somewhere safe to leave my stuff ?

Yes, we'll have a secure place for you to leave things inside the CYC Clubhouse.

Where can I park?

There is usually ample street parking. You can also park in the Guest parking at Shilshole Bay Marina. In the lot directly outside CYC, the whole easternmost (closest to the street) row of parking is guest parking. In the lot just to the north of CYC (outside the dry storage yard), all the parking is open to guests. Guest parking is outlined by white paint only, while permit parking has blue. 

Occasionally, Shilshole Bay Marina will close off entrances along the marina to reduce the amount of spaces taken up by non-tenants and their guests, and you will have to enter at the Port of Seattle office where Jibe Cafe is located. This typically happens on Fridays, or in August as Golden Gardens gets busier.

Do your Adventure sailing classes give me any kind of certification?

No. Our instructors are US Sailing Level 1 certified (or higher), but our courses don't certify you as anything other than slightly less sane than you were when you started :). We recommend that those interested in sailing certification (which is especially important if you want to sail larger keelboats) check out our awesome partners Seattle Sailing Club, also located in Shilshole Bay Marina.

Where is Blake Island?

Blake Island is a marine state park located about 9 nautical miles south of Shilshole Marina. It's nestled in between Vashon Island to the south, and Bainbridge Island to the North. More information on the park is available here.

What gear will I need for Adventure Sailing overnight camping?

You will need basic camping gear such as a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tent, etc. If you don't have access to these things just let us know and we'll find some folks who can share gear. We will bring cooking supplies and will work as a group to plan food. Plenty of snacks are always a good idea.

Do I need a Clubspot account to register for events?

No, you can go through the checkout process with or without a Clubspot account. If you have an existing Clubspot account you can use that, but there's no need to create an account.

Can I register multiple participants at once? Can I register for multiple classes at once?

Clubspot allows for registration in multiple classes at the same time, but only allows one participant to register at a time. Unfortunately you will have to go through the checkout process for each participant separately.

What is the difference between credit card payment and bank transfer (ACH)?

ACH bank transfers pay for programs directly from your bank account and incur no fee, while credit cards include a 3.3% fee.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

We're so glad you asked! You can read all about it here.

What is your policy on cancellations due to weather or smoke / poor air quality?

Excellent question! You can read all about it here.

Do I have to be a CYC Member in order to register for CYC Community Sailing Center events?

No. CYC Community Sailing Center programs were previously a part of CYC Seattle, a 501(c)(7) non-profit yacht club which required participants to be members of the club. The CYC Community Sailing Center is now a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means CYC membership is no longer required to participate in our programs.

That said, the Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle remains an affordable and valuable community to be a part of, and your membership indirectly supports our efforts. To learn more, visit https://cycseattle.org.

What scholarships do you offer?

For households that are eligible, our scholarships can save you up to half (50%) of the cost of enrollment in any of our youth or adult sailing programs.

Do you offer reduced scholarships?

Yes. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for a 50% scholarship, we may still offer a smaller scholarship based on household size and annual income.

How do you determine scholarship eligibility?

We follow the  Scholarship Eligibility Income Guideline provided by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Additionally, households that are eligible to receive SNAP benefits are eligible for our scholarship program.