Learn to Sail Vacation

sailing

hotel

beach2.jpg (2667 bytes)

Itinerary

Ever dream of anchoring in the lee of an island to wait out a storm while being forced to eat fresh lobster and mango just to keep your strength up? Don’t just dream, start to prepare for the adventure of your life by practicing.

Join us in paradise for some soft adventures. Sample the fun, sun, surf, sand and sailing. You’ll find lots of time for relaxing, sight-seeing, activities, water taxi excursions, shows, good food, good times, nightlife and sailing. Your sailing adventure can be just for fun or, if you wish, you can earn American Sailing Association Certifications 101 or 103 or both.

This is not just an ordinary sailing school, no long boring classes, no demanding Captain shouting orders you don’t understand.

Your adventure will start when you arrive in sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After a brief ride from the airport, you will be greeted at the unique hotel chosen for this adventure, an eclectic "Superior Small Lodging". Lush gardens surround the pool and courtyard, making it feel like a private island. Complete with tennis courts, shuffleboard, exercise studio and a two-story waterfall - you'll start to relax as soon as you arrive. In your room, the refrigerator will be stocked with drinks and snacks and a collection of information about, and maps of, Ft. Lauderdale await you.

Relax by the pool, walk on the beach or take a bike ride to explore some of the sights of Ft. Lauderdale, the Venice of America. But don’t wander too far, you wouldn’t want to miss the Welcome Aboard Cook Out. What better way to start an adventure than with a sip (or two) of Margaritaville and a little Jimmy Buffett music. Come in your best Margaritaville outfit and win a Jimmy Buffet CD. When you've had all you can eat, the evening is free to explore Ft. Lauderdale after dark.

Day 2 (Sunday) starts with a buffet breakfast and ASA sailing video. Those who wish to participate in ASA certification, or just want to learn about sailing, will spend the rest of the morning and a working lunch participating in the classroom portion of the certification. All the basics of sailing will be covered including required and recommended equipment, rules of the road and terminology. Those not participating are free to enjoy the beach, bike ride or just relax by the pool. This afternoon we'll take a glass bottom boat tour of some of the many reefs in the area. You may even choose to go snorkeling. Dinner will be served at the hotel at 7:00 pm. You'll be free to stroll along the ocean, visit Beach Place or perhaps explore Riverwalk in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.

On Day 3 (Monday), after enjoying a breakfast buffet, an on board orientation and chart familiarization will be held aboard our 34’ sloop. A picnic lunch will be aboard as we sail offshore for the first day of your hands-on sailing experience. We'll explore the waters in and around Port Everglades, even getting a close-up view of a few cruise ships. We'll return to the hotel in time for a relaxing dinner.

Day 4 (Tuesday) starts with another breakfast buffet and hands-on sailing. A picnic lunch will be provided on board. Those relaxing or exploring may choose to take a picnic lunch to the beach or lunch at any of the many fun places along the board walk. Perhaps you might want to sample one of the "Good Ol’ Fish Sandwiches" at Sloppy Joe’s. Don't eat too much, though - this evening you will enjoy a cruise aboard the famous Jungle Queen Riverboat. The cruise will stop at the Jungle Queen's exotic island where you will be served "All You Can Eat" ribs, chicken and shrimp with all the trimmings. After dinner, you will be entertained by the Jungle Queen’s "All New Hilarious Variety Revue". The return trip will be complimented by more entertainment with everyone joining in the Sing-A-Long. You will laugh about, talk about and always remember this unique evening on the Jungle Queen. It's a Ft. Lauderdale tradition.

Hopefully, you are fully into the laid back mood of South Florida by day 5 (Wednesday). After breakfast it is off for more hands-on sailing. A picnic lunch will be provided on board. Then back to the hotel for the ASA 101 written exam and introduction to ASA 103 requirements. You'll have some free time to explore before dinner is served at 7 pm.

Day 6 (Thursday) starts again with breakfast and hands-on sailing all morning. Picnic lunches will be available. The afternoon is free time - feel free to rent a jet ski, a catamaran on the beach, take a narrated scenic tour or just relax. We'll be exploring by water taxi and you are welcome to come along. This is a great opportunity to visit downtown Ft. Lauderdale and the new Riverwalk area. Dinner will be on your own tonight (picnic baskets available). There are many fine restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale to choose from. For the sports enthusiast, you might want to try Don Shula’s Steak House or Dan Marino’s Town Tavern at Riverwalk. Those in the mood for gourmet fair might want to dine outdoors at Mistral Restaurant and enjoy the live background music of breaking ocean waves. The water taxi runs until the wee hours of the morning so you'll be able to see the sights of Ft. Lauderdale by day or night.

After breakfast on Day 7 (Friday) we're off for more sailing. This morning will be the hands-on practical exam for 103. After a lunch buffet at the hotel, we will have the 103 written exam and review. This evening will feature a sunset sail and a farewell dinner.

Day 8 (Saturday) we'll review over breakfast and wrap-up. Check out is at 11am.

This is a representative itinerary and is subject to change/availability.