THE SKI & SPORTS CLUB OF WASHINGTON, DC

        

Our Motto:   Don't Waste Wind!  Sail Fast, Live Slow

Enjoy the scenery and have fun sailing on the Potomac River, whether you are a beginner or seasoned sailor.  Learn the fundamentals of sailing or just relax on board.

“Come sail away, come sail away with me.” –  Styx

“Sailing takes me to where I’ve always heard it could be.” – Christopher Cross 

         

We sail from Belle Haven Marina in Alexandria, Virginia, located south of Old Town Alexandria on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and adjacent to Dyke Marsh. 

Getting Here | Belle Haven Marina

This is NOT the marina closest to Reagan-National airport. 

The sailboats are 19-foot Flying Scots, which are very stable and easy to sail. They are open boats, with no cover, so dress appropriately for the weather (sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, sun shirt, waterproof jacket and shoes/sandals that may get wet).  Also bring a water bottle on board. The group meets at the marina, outside the office, which is a trailer, and not at the dock. 

You are in good hands with a skipper on each boat, who are club members with extensive sailing experience. 

          

Weather permitting, we sail for two hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays through mid-November (see the sailing schedule for the dates, times and to sign up). To ensure you get on a boat, reservations are required two days in advance on the sign-up page.  

The cost for SCWDC members is $30 cash per sail and non-members are welcome for $35.  Pay in cash (the exact amount would be appreciated) to the SCWDC volunteer trip leader before the sail begins. Check-in is 15 minutes before the sail so we can get out on time.

Before your first sail of the season, you MUST sign an online sailing liability waiver (acknowledgement of risks) that is required by Belle Haven Marina. 

https://app.cleverwaiver.com/render/templateByRefId/6075cb3b4cc416a51d3747f2

This only needs to be done once during each sailing season. If you forget, you may come early to the marina office to sign the waiver.

We do not sail if it is raining, or if there is not enough or too much wind.  The volunteer sailing trip leaders will notify you by email if a sail is canceled.  If you sign up and then cannot come, send a text or email to the trip leader as soon as possible. 

After sailing, we continue socializing (at your own expense) at The Haven, a small, casual restaurant that is very close to the marina.  It is located at 1401 Belle Haven Road, Alexandria, VA 22307.

https://www.yelp.com/map/belle-haven-pizzeria-the-haven-alexandria-2

Trip Leaders Needed

The sailing program depends on volunteer trip leaders and skippers to keep it going.  We need a trip leader to organize each sail, which includes keeping track of the number of participants, determining how many boats are needed and paying for the boats.  It’s not difficult and the best part is you get to sail for free every time you trip lead!  To volunteer, contact program chair, Eliot Greenwald: eliot.greenwald@verizon.net, or text him at 202-841-5666.