Tradewinds Sailing School & Club - Richmond, California

Erica Harrop

Tradewinds is a wonderful place to learn sailing where the instructors are fun, relaxed, and extremely knowledgeable. I have taken most of their courses now and am comfortable in most any conditions. I am so glad to be a member.

Inna Sokolova

I am so impressed with Tradewinds. I had just taken ASA 103. The environment is very welcoming, the staff are very kind, and and the instructor (Bruce) was top notch - incredibly experienced and knowledgeable, and also courteous, with great sense of humor! We spent 3 days sailing at the Marina bay - it was fantastic. I learned so much. I can't imagine a better sailing school, and I feel very lucky to be a student there.

Ed McCann

I had never stepped foot aboard a sailboat before attending the Basic Keel boat course at Tradewinds and now I wish I had done this years ago!! Reading the book and taking the online test prepared me in advance for my class. Tony and Herman were my instructors. Their calm and clear method of teaching kept the stress level of learning something new very low. The boats at Tradewinds are clean and well kept. The staff couldn't be nicer to deal with and the prices for the courses are very reasonable. I have signed up for two more courses, Coastal cruising and Bare boat. This turned out to be a great decision. If your looking for lessons, I highly recommend Tradewinds sailing school.

Doug Green

Great staff, instructors really make learning fun and you learn a lot too. Owners are easy to work with.

Nick H

Everyone should learn to sail at Tradewinds.

Recently took my ASA101 Basic Keelboat course here and can’t say enough great things. The school sends you study material and a very well explained curriculum and tips so that you are prepared for the class. Coming to this course with minimal practical experience I expected it to be a more anxious and taxing experience. I was pleasantly surprised. Our instructor was Jonas and he was fantastic. He was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable. He presented everything in a way it could be easily understood by a beginner. He was extremely helpful through each maneuver and step and made sure all participants got plenty of time at each station and with each maneuver and that we understood everything very well. It didn’t even feel like a class, it felt like 3 days of fun sailing with friends. I’m excited to continue my education with this club and recommend everyone to try it out.

Jeff Rubinstein

I took the Basic Keelboat (BKB - ASA 101) course here. The instructor was knowledge and spent many hours with us on the water to go through all the sailing basics and to challenge us to demonstrate the skills we were learning. I'll definitely rent equipment through them in the future to go out and practice on the water and I'd definitely consider taking future courses here.

Narsing Rao Dyavani

I am new to the world of sailing. So new, that I only went sailing once before and wanted to learn sailing. With zero experience I took the Basic Keelboat sailing class from Tradewinds.

My experience was wonderful. The instructor( Bob) was patient enough to answer all my stupid questions. Since I was the one with least experience in my class, I was given chance to be the skipper on the last day. So I had enough opportunity to learn from experienced sailors and gain confidence.

All the staff and instructors are very helpful. I cannot ask for a better learning experience.

I would highly recommend this school for new sailors.

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Update after 103 course

I recently had the pleasure of taking the ASA 103 course at Tradewinds Sailing School & Club in Richmond, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. Our instructor, Tony Johnson, is an accomplished sailor who has sailed around the world. His expertise and passion for sailing were evident from the very first moment we met.

One of the standout qualities of Tony as an instructor is his ability to provide thorough and insightful answers to every question. No matter how complex or basic the query, he had a comprehensive response ready, supported by his vast knowledge and personal experiences. What made Tony truly exceptional was his talent for weaving captivating stories into his explanations. Every concept he taught was accompanied by an engaging anecdote that not only made it easier to understand but also brought the subject matter to life. We were truly fortunate to have such a seasoned sailor as our instructor.

The Tradewinds Sailing Club itself is a remarkable establishment. The club actively encourages its members to spend more time on the water, and this philosophy is reflected in the way the courses and membership types are structured. They provide a list of specific skills and techniques to practice and master at each level, ensuring a solid foundation for progression to the next level or class. This approach fosters continuous improvement and sets students up for success in their sailing endeavors.

The club's commitment to helping students gain practical experience is commendable. The opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in class through hands-on practice is invaluable, and Tradewinds Sailing Club goes above and beyond to provide ample opportunities for their students to get on the water and refine their skills. Whether it's through the structure of membership, organized sailing trips or access to well-maintained sailboats, they truly understand the importance of practical experience in becoming a competent sailor.

In conclusion, my experience with the ASA 103 course at Tradewinds Sailing School & Club exceeded my expectations. Tony Johnson's expertise and captivating teaching style made the learning process both informative and enjoyable. The club's emphasis on practical experience and their dedication to nurturing a love for sailing among their members make it an outstanding choice for anyone looking to enhance their sailing skills. I highly recommend Tradewinds Sailing School & Club and look forward to continuing my sailing journey with them in the future.

David Hammer

Best sailing school in the Bay. Instructors are knowledgeable and friendly. Not snobs. Friendly staff and competitive prices make it the best sailing school in San Francisco Bay. And there are no hidden cost or: "Oh, I forgot to tell you" fees. I have many friends who have taken classes from Tradewinds and love them. I have taken the advanced docking class and found it very helpful. I also took the ASA 101,103,and 104 test at Tradewinds. I have been a club member for about 2 years. The fleet membership is the best deal in San Francisco.