When surreal nightdreams bleed into morning reality and confused bedmates wake up on a bunk-boat in a carpet sea, they best know how to sail. Today's Groupon teaches the values of maritime navigation through a pair of sailing lessons with Spinnaker Sailing for $185 (a $375 value). Voyage to Pier 40 of the South Beach Harbor for two midweek or weekend lessons that last six hours each and provide step-by-step guidance from ASA-certified sailing instructors.
The phenomenon of sailing marries an understanding of wind's benevolent powers with an oceanic communion capable of transporting seafarers to and fro across the sea's misty expanses. Spinnaker Sailing's lessons pit new students against the challenges of the San Francisco Bay as highly experienced teachers show the ropes, sails, and technical machinations any able skiffer needs to know to negotiate the gentle waves. Basic Keelboat Sailing I teaches the fundamentals of sailing from the deck of a Santana 22 as four students gather together to learn the anatomy of a boat, sailing vernacular, boat safety, knot philosophy, steering, wind patterns, and more over the course of two consecutive six-hour days. All skills and lessons are put into practice, developing immediate sailing confidence in the rookiest of landlubbers.
Classes are scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving both 9 to 5 professionals and weekend freelancers the opportunity to learn their ports, starboards, and man-overboards. Be sure to wear sunscreen, dress warmly, and avoid wearing black-soled shoes, which can leave marks on the pristine boat decks. Participants will take a midday lunch break, so pupils are encouraged to bring money or food that won't attract the boat-side chompers of hungry lion seals.
Reviews
Six Yelpers give Spinnaker Sailing 3.5 stars, while one Yahoo! Local user gives it a perfect five:
- Their staff is knowledgeable and friendly and I learned just what I needed to sail a little boat on my own. Our instructors were both very patient and skillful. – Nina L., Yelp
- I took basic lessons from these guys and loved it. I ended up joining their club. Much better than owning a boat. Instructors were patient and great sailors. – a, Yahoo Local
Groupon Says
Tricks to Remember Boating Terms
Experienced sailors are well versed in boating terminology, but for beginners, here are some helpful tricks to remember what these sailing terms mean:
- Port: The port side is the left side of the boat and port has four letters, just like left.
- Starboard: Has nine letters, just like the words Carrot Top, which is why it denotes the side of the ship where Carrot Top is standing.
- Mast: Rhymes with past, and just like the past, is the part of the ship that sailors refuse to dwell on.
- Hull: The hull is a specific dream every sailor has toward the end of their careers in which hockey great Bobby Hull tells them, “It’s time. It’s time. It’s time.”
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