MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — Florida is among the states with the most registered boats anywhere in the nation, along with being one of the top sailing destinations in the world.
However, sailing may seem daunting to anyone who is not familiar with the sport.
Beachside Sailing in Merritt Island offers several sailing classes for beginners to advance sailors who want to learn the sport.
Owner Billy Chander, who’s been sailing for decades and owns Beachside Sailing, said the goal is to get beginners comfortable sailing.
“You know, I hope they gain some knowledge and a comfort level where they are able to come out on a boat like this (and) take it out for a day of sailing without too much trouble,” Chandler said.
Corbin Monge of Palm Bay has been learning how to sail whenever he has free time and said he has learned you should have a desire to sail the open waters.
“You just have to be attentive and diligent. And you must want to learn how to do it,” Monge said while sailing on the Banana River in Brevard County.
Monge is training on a 23-foot Hunter sailboat on the river located near Cape Canaveral.
Captain Brett Kessler, Monge’s instructor, said he believes Florida is a great training ground for anyone who wants to learn how to sail.
“This is a great place to learn how to sail, to practice sailing with your new skills," Kessler said. "And from here, it’s a launching pad where you can explore and extend your adventures.”
Future sailors will learn to do everything themselves, including how to get out of a marina with no wind, how to raise the sails, jib and also boating safety.
Everyone learns the importance of understanding wind and its relationship to sailing and operating a craft.
“If you remember from the book you have from this class, you’ll understand the wind speed and direction. This is what you need to know to go sailing effectively and safely,” Kessler said.
Beachside Sailing offers several sailing programs.
