Things To Do In Vancouver

The North Meets South Food & Drink Jubilee brings together local and national wineries, breweries, distilleries, and restaurants for a weekend of delicious activities in an elegant atmosphere. Pepper your palate with complimentary samples of delicious edibles and intoxicating imbibements from national and international vendors— including Southern Oregon Brewing, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Enchanted Cupcakes, and Whole Foods Market—as well as talented regional chefs.

Willamette Sailing Club's docks stretch out into the Willamette River, where novice nautical voyagers gain their sea legs on a fleet of small sailboats. Classes of up to 30 spend two hours on the banks with a U.S. Sailing–certified coach as students learn how sails work, the necessary knots, and important terminology, such as "port," "starboard," and "boat." The coach will also cover how to rig and de-rig a boat, as delicate a procedure as rigging a casino game or school-board election. The club curates a fleet of Laser, Opti, and 420 sailboats for the use of its sailing classes.

Seven Seas' Discover Scuba class prepares curious scuba dabblers to meet the deep in a safe, kraken-free environment. Class begins with a DVD viewing at the dive shop, as well as an introduction to Seven Seas' expert diving staff. Then, undersea novices are whisked away to the facility's nearby pool for practice using underwater breathing devices and other scuba equipment. By the end of class, eager greenhorns' interests are piqued and prepared to begin their pursuit of open water certification, also available through Seven Seas. A $25 credit toward certification assists future divers in accomplishing their dreams of viewing an authentic tableau of dogfishes playing poker. Grab a Groupon and view the website's calendar to see which session best fits your schedule, then call to reserve your spot.

You don't play tennis outside, where it's cold. Today's side deal keeps the tennis-curious wrapped in an athletic-club blanket. For $40, you'll get three personalized, 30-minute tennis lessons at Portland Athletic Club (a $90 value). The club boasts five indoor courts, a staff of pro instructors, and flexible hours. Call ahead to schedule your appointment.

Flamenco, which originated in the Andalusia region of Spain, is a style of music and dance that was born of passion, oppression, and vibrant, flowing garments that were sick of spending so many unworn nights in the closet. Dedicated to the preservation of Flamenco's roots, the skilled, highly trained instructors at Solo Flamenco Arts Academy anchor their lessons in traditional dance techniques, musical accompaniment, and uninhibited expression of emotion. The studio welcomes students of all skill and experience levels, offering a full schedule of classes (regularly valued at $12 per class) that vary in degree of difficulty. Schedule your classes online by creating an account, starting with at least one level-one lesson (required) to ensure that you're all brushed up on the boogie basics.