ALEXANDRIA SAILING FIELD GUIDE
Sunfish Summers at Belle Haven: A Youth Sailing Primer in Alexandria’s Dyke Marsh
A five‑day, hands‑on sail-training week for ages 8–15 that teaches boat skills, safety drills and basic seamanship in 14' Sunfish at Belle Haven Marina.
Sunfish Summers at Belle Haven: A Youth Sailing Primer in Alexandria’s Dyke Marsh.
At Belle Haven Marina, campers spend a week learning to sail in an atmosphere that prioritizes fun, safety and responsibility; instruction is hands‑on aboard 14' Sunfish, with life jackets worn at all times and practical drills that build confidence around the water.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
14' Sunfish: Simple, Responsive, Durable
Instruction takes place aboard 14' Sunfish, giving students direct, tactile experience with rigging, sail trim and boat handling in a platform suited to learning core seamanship.
From Knots to Capsize Recovery
The curriculum emphasizes essential skills—rigging and knots, points of sail, navigational markers and right‑of‑way rules—plus safety procedures such as man‑overboard and capsize and recovery drills.
Water Work and Dyke Marsh Alternatives
Students practice on the water and, on light‑air days, may paddle a canoe or kayak through the surrounding Dyke Marsh area or cool off with a swim—keeping training varied and site‑specific.
What the day feels like
What a Week Feels Like
Over five consecutive days of three‑hour lessons, campers move from shore drills to solo time on the water: rigging and knot work, guided runs to learn the points of sail and right‑of‑way, then focused practice on docking, mooring and safety maneuvers—culminating in capsize and recovery sequences that require entering the water while wearing life jackets.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this week of sail training.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Five‑day camps run weekly through the first week of September; each week provides 5 days of 3‑hour lessons totaling 15 hours of hands‑on time.
Courses are offered in either a morning session (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) or an afternoon session (1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday.
Bring a snack and water bottle, sunblock and lip balm, a towel and a change of clothes; wear sturdy closed‑toe shoes that can get wet, a hat and sunglasses, and shorts and a t‑shirt over a bathing suit.
Instruction operates on a small student‑to‑instructor ratio of no more than 6:1 to maximize hands‑on time and individualized coaching.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What ages can enroll?
The Youth Basic Summer Camp is for children ages 8–15.
How long is each camp week?
Each camp runs five days with three‑hour lessons each day, totaling 15 hours of instruction.
When are sessions scheduled?
Courses are offered weekly through the first week of September in either a morning session (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) or an afternoon session (1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.).
Are life jackets required?
Yes; students are required to wear life jackets at all times when on or in the water.
Will campers get wet?
Yes; capsize drills require students to enter the water, and on light‑air days campers may paddle in the Dyke Marsh area or cool off with a swim.
Is there a discount for multiple children?
Multi‑student discounts are available, but only for siblings.