In 1960 when Longshore Club Park first opened in Westport, Connecticut, the town’s Recreation Commission sponsored a public summer boating safety course for children, called Basic Boating. With borrowed boats, and volunteer staff, the students learned safety and seamanship. In 1963 Westport acquired a fleet of 8′ fiberglass sailing dinghies, which established themselves as the Country’s earliest pioneers in public access sailing programming.
Today, the Longshore Sailing School teaches approximately 2000 students a year on its fleet of over 100 sailboats and kayaks through there Junior Sailing Program. The students range in age between 9-16 years old, and are taught through the Core curriculum that provides a strong foundation and one week Specialty courses concentrating on catamarans and kayaking. Kayaking begins at age 8.
The Longshore Sailing School
260 Compo Road South
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 226-4646