The sea cannot be navigated without proper guidance, much like uncharted caves or graphing calculator manuals written in Klingon. Learn the ropes of oceanic terrain with today's Groupon to Open Sailing, Inc. in Marina del Rey. Choose between the following options:

• For $125, you get a four-hour introduction-to-sailing lesson (up to a $300 value).
• For $50, you get $100 worth of merchandise.

Owned and operated by a trio of ASA-certified sailing instructors who have each been doused with the waters of France, England, and California, Open Sailing, Inc. trains and equips students for piloting the open sea. Open Sailing also boasts a collection of apparel, safety equipment, and compasses. The Gill Race collection outfits sailors with apparel such as the men's midlayer soft-shell smock ($89), whose lightweight fabric and water-repellent finish keeps torsos agile and dry, and the padded hiking shorts ($40), with 50+ UV protection, stretch fabric, and impact protection for hiking the rail during one of Poseidon's infamous temper tantrums.

During a four-hour introduction-to-sailing session, instructors will begin with an assessment of students' current sailing and mast-tickling abilities in order to tailor lessons to the areas most in need of improvement. Aboard the Open 5.70, nautical novices find footing on a forgiving 19-foot vessel that is ideal for learning the basics. Students are also welcome to bring their own water vessels, as the instructors are well-versed in operating an armada of ocean-traversing crafts, including sail-equipped dolphins.

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