Try Sailing

New to sailing?

3 hours on the water. No experience needed.
Small group. Max 3 students.
$395 per person · 3 hours · Lake Travis

Class Schedules

Available dates are shown below. Tap a date to reserve your spot.
Intro to Sailing classes run from 10a - 1p and limited to a maximum of 3 students. A minimum of 2 students required to form a class.
Please contact us with questions or specific scheduling needs.

What you’ll do in 3 hours

  • Take the helm and steer a cruising sailboat
  • Trim sails and learn the basics of sail control
  • Practice simple crew communication and boat handling
No classroom. No homework. Just hands-on sailing.

This is for you if…

  • You’re curious about sailing and want to try it before committing
  • You want a hands-on experience, not a boat ride
  • You’re considering ASA 101 but want a first step

This is not the right fit if…

  • You’re looking for a private charter / sunset cruise (contact Texas Sailing)
  • You only want to watch (this is participatory)

What’s Included

  • Instructor-led small group (max 3 students)
  • Life jackets and all safety gear
  • Hands-on time at the helm and sails
  • Great photos (if you want them)
What to bring: sunglasses, hat, water, light jacket.

If you love it, here’s the next step

Most students who catch the bug continue into ASA 101 Basic Keelboat, where you’ll learn to skipper your own sailboat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this per person?
Yes. $395 per person.
Do I need experience?
No. This class and our ASA 101 class do not require any prior experience.
How long is it?
3 hours on the water.
How many people are in a class?
Max 3 students.
What if weather is bad?
We’ll reschedule you.
Where do we meet?
At our home base on Lake Travis. You will receive detailed instructions once you book your class.
What ages?
Participants must be 18+ to attend on their own. Teens are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. The experience is designed for adults and focused on hands-on learning.
Can I book private?
Yes if you have a party of three you may reserve a class for your party at checkout.

What Other Sailors Have To Say

I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Outbound Sailing. From start to finish, they were an incredibly professional operation, and it was obvious they take pride in what they do. The training boat was clean, well maintained, and a great platform to learn on.

Jason was an outstanding instructor. His teaching style really stood out—rather than simply telling us what to do, he gave us the opportunity to work through situations and even fail safely when appropriate. That approach forced us to actually understand what was happening, correct our mistakes, and build confidence instead of just checking boxes for the ASA 101 requirements.

He also went well beyond the basics of the course, sharing real-world knowledge and experience that made the entire weekend that much more valuable.

I came away from ASA 101 feeling like I actually learned how to sail, albeit more practice and reps are necessary after any training, but most importantly not just how to pass a class.

I’m proud to officially be part of the Outbound Sailing family and highly recommend them to anyone looking to learn to sail or continue developing their skills. I’m already looking forward to growing as a sailor, building my skills, and having a lot more adventures with Outbound Sailing.

Jared Bruno 08/25/26 via Google Reviews

I recently had the opportunity to spend two full days on the water with Jason at Outbound Sailing, and it was an excellent experience. Jason is extremely thorough and does a great job explaining not just what to do, but why you’re doing it. The instruction is very hands-on, and there’s a strong emphasis on developing real confidence and competence on the boat.

I also really like Outbound’s philosophy of continuing to build experience after the class through additional time on the water. Sailing is something that takes repetition, and their approach makes a lot of sense.

Jason is knowledgeable, patient, and clearly invested in helping people become capable sailors. I’d highly recommend Outbound Sailing to anyone looking for quality sailing instruction on Lake Travis.

bertcox1 08/24/26 via Google Reviews

I can’t say enough about what a great experience 101 was with Jason and Outbound. Jason was easy to communicate with and available from the day I signed up if any questions came to mind. The smaller class size worked really well to ensure each person felt a bit of one on one instruction and Jason made it feel more like a fun couple of days on the water with a knowledgeable friend than taking a class. The material was easily to follow, so even the class work wasn’t hard to get through. This is a really thorough experience, packed with practice and information, by the end of the second day I started to feel so much more comfortable on the boat and out on the water in general. The boats are also very well kept. I was excited to learn Outbound offers community sails and boat rental on the boats between class sessions so you can get enough experience on the water even without having your own boat. They really have a great program laid out with some exciting options, that I cannot wait to partake in. If you’re considering starting your learning journey, make it happen here. It’s well worth the investment.

Tim Former 08/16/26 via Google Reviews
Outbound Sailing

About Us

For over 15 years, we have been an ASA-certified sailing school in Austin, TX, committed to delivering high-quality sailing education. Our classes offer both foundational and advanced skills for all levels of sailing enthusiasts.
We emphasize the importance of continued on-the-water practice after certification. To support this, we provide a variety of sailing programs, including community sailing events, adventure learning vacations, and alumni flotillas. These programs are designed to create a safe and fun environment where students and alumni can enhance their skills, gain experience, and build confidence on the water.
To learn more about the dedicated team behind our exceptional sailing programs, please visit our Meet the Team page.
American Sailing (ASA)

About American Sailing

American Sailing (ASA) has been in operation for more than 40 years. With over 400 sailing schools worldwide and more than half a million certified students, it is the largest and most widely recognized sailing certification body in the world.