Sailing & Paddling Programs

W&WLC follows cold water safety recommendations made by the USCG and the National Center for Cold Water Safety. Thermal gear (Neoprene, wetsuits, sailing or kayaking boots) is recommended for water temperatures below 75F, and is required for water temperatures below 70F. These temperatures occur mid October through late April along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Summer Sail Camps

Sail Camp at the Wind and Water Learning CenterFirst Full Week of June through First Full Week of August

Resident Rate: $175/week    Non-Resident Rate: $200/week

US Sailing Certified Level 1 Small Boat Instructors guide campers during week-long Sail Camps in June and July using Optimist Prams and Sunfish sailboats. Our Sail Camps are intended to introduce newer sailors to the sport or help older campers brush up on the skills they learned last summer in a safe and fun environment. Water safety and good sportsmanship are essential in all of our Sail Camp activities! All campers will need to be able to swim without fear of the water. We will play sailing games, learn knots, and practice the basics of sailing (capsize recovery, points of sail, rigging, how to notice weather and wind direction, sailing terminology, sail trim, and how to skipper and crew a dinghy). These camps fill up fast, so be on the lookout for registration to open at 8 a.m. March 1st on ActiveNet! Once registration opens, click on the links below to sign up. 

Age grouping: 

  • Sandpipers (6-8 years old = rising 1st - 3rd graders) 
  • Pelicans (9-11 years old= rising 4th - 6th graders)
  • Ospreys (12-14 years old= rising 7th-9th graders)
  • High School Sail Week (15 -17 years old = rising Sophomores - Seniors).

**All camp sessions need a minimum of 4 participants, and are capped at 12 participants.**

2023 SAIL CAMP SESSION DATES:

Sandpipers

Pelicans

Ospreys

High School Sail Week

**All camp sessions need a minimum of 4 participants, and are capped at 12 participants.**

Also, please be aware of the WWLC cancellation policy: 

Cancellation Policy: registered participants are eligible for a full refund with a cancellation more than 2 weeks prior to the first day of the selected program, a 50% refund with a cancellation more than 1 week prior to the first day of the selected program, and no refund if they cancel inside of 5 business days prior to the first day of the selected program.

Please contact the Wind & Water Learning Center Coordinator with any questions about your child’s age grouping, needs, and skills progression.

Small Group and Private Sailing / Kayaking Lessons

March through May | September through November

Resident Rate: $60/person      Non-Resident Rate: $75/person

Scheduling is based on Instructor’s availability and scheduled WWLC programming. All gear (except thermal gear/footwear) is provided. Lessons can be booked for up to four participants for ages 8 years and older. Minors under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian; minors between ages 16-18 are eligible to take lessons in groups of 2 - 4 participants. 

 Sailing: We teach beginner and intermediate sailing skills in our Sunfish fleet using the US Sailing curriculum. All participants will be required to learn capsize recovery and demonstrate the skill during their first lesson. Learning topics include: on the water safety, weather and wind awareness, knots and rigging, capsize recovery, steering, sail trim and speed control, upwind and downwind sailing, points of sail, getting out of irons, right of way for sailors, and any other requested basics of sailing that can be accommodated by the WWLC at that time. Lessons are taught by a US Sailing Small Boat Level 1 Instructor.

Women's Sailing Workshop

 Kayaking: We teach beginner kayaking skills in sit-in touring style and sit-on kayaks following ACA course guidelines. Learning topics include: on the water safety, trip planning and float plans, capsize recovery, paddle strokes, right of way for kayakers, gear selection, transporting kayaks, and any other requested basics of kayaking that can be accommodated by the WWLC at that time. Lessons are taught by an ACA Level 2 Coastal Kayak Instructor.

Kayaks

Women's Sailing Workshop Series

July through October

$260 / participant

A sailing workshop series taught by women, for women. Come learn sailing basics without intimidation! Ladies 18 years and older will sail in our Sunfish fleet. This series will consist of 10.5 hours of instruction led over the course of three days (Fri 5PM - 730PM, Sat 8AM - 12PM, Sun 1PM - 5PM). Minimum of four participants for the series to run capped at eight participants.

2023 Workshops Schedule:

ACA Kayak Courses: Intro to Kayaking; Essentials of Coastal Kayak Touring; Instructor Certifications

Skill-based workshops are taught by ACA Coastal Kayak Level II Instructors. Instructor Certification courses are taught by ACA Instructor Trainers. These courses are open to the public and can also be led as private classes upon request throughout the year for small groups (5 students or fewer). Classes open to the public need a minimum of 4 participants to run, and are capped at 10 participants. Dates and registration announced throughout the year. Costs vary by course. 

*Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification courses for Levels 1-2 will be led early May 2023. 

ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification Workshops

  • Taught by ACA L3 Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer
  • Participants can bring their own kayaks and gear, or rent kayaks at a rate of $25/day while taking this course
  • $175 per person per day (workshops will run with a minimum of 4 participants, maximum of 10 participants)
  • 2023 dates (call 251-424-5909 or email jmcgonigal@orangebeachal.gov to register): 
    • May 8th:  8AM - 5PM Guided skills practice day
    • May 9th - 11th:  8AM - 5PM Level 1 Coastal Kayak ICW
    • May 9th - 12th:  8AM - 5PM ACA Level 2 Coastal Kayak ICW

ACA Intro to Kayaking, Safety & Rescue course

This American Canoe Association course is designed for beginner to intermediate kayakers who wish to develop skills of safe, responsible, and enjoyable kayaking on the following crafts: traditional decked kayaks, inflatables, and sit on tops. Use of spray-skirts is not part of this course. We take a hands-on, in-the-water approach to teaching stroke refinement, assisted and self rescue, best trip planning practices and safety skills. Our emphasis is on safety and best judgment on the water, as well as rescue techniques that can be performed with minimal equipment. This course takes place in our Sail Loft classroom on land and on Wolf Bay in front of the Wind & Water Learning Center. This is being offered as a Skills Course with optional Assessment for an additional fee. Assessment provides the participant with the opportunity to receive documentation of having achieved a certain level of paddling ability.  

ACA Essentials of Coastal Kayak Touring

This American Canoe Association course is designed for intermediate kayakers who wish to further develop and refine their skills of safe, responsible, and enjoyable kayaking in traditional decked kayaks. Use of spray-skirts is an optional part of this course. We take a hands-on, in-the-water approach to teaching stroke refinement, assisted and self rescue, best trip planning practices and safety skills. Our emphasis is on safety and best judgment on the water, as well as rescue techniques that can be performed with minimal equipment. This course takes place in our Sail Loft classroom on land and on Wolf Bay in front of the Wind & Water Learning Center. This is being offered as a Skills Course with optional Assessment for an additional fee. Assessment provides the participant with the opportunity to receive documentation of having achieved a certain level of paddling ability.  

  • Pre-Paddling Preparation, Safety and Rescue Equipment Overview , Self and Assisted Rescue Maneuvers, Trip Planning, Boat and Gear Overview, Stroke Refinement, Wet Exits with and without Spray Skirts, Maneuvers, Rules of The Water
  • All equipment, instruction with certified ACA L2 instructor, catered picnic-style lunch included
  • $150 per person (course will run with a minimum of 2 participants, maximum of 10 participants)
  • Assessment Fee: Additional $15* (individuals seeking assessment will need to acquire an ACA membership before attending class. Find more information at  https://www.americancanoe.org/. )
  • 2023 dates (Click on the links to register.): 

Paddle & Paint Kayak Excursions

Led weekly during the Summer; can be booked privately Fall, Winter & Spring

$45/ participant

On this two-hour excursion, participants will learn multiple paddle strokes, making them a more efficient kayaker. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice basic watercolor techniques while creating their own work of art as they float in back-bay waters. "Unplug," take in a scenic sunset, and enjoy a peaceful paddle in Wolf Bay. Excursions need a minimum of 2 participants to run and are capped at 6 participants.

2023 Summer dates (Click on the links to register and for more information.):

June

July

August

View Activities and Events at the Wind and Water Learning Center.

For any questions and more information email Jackie McGonigal or call 251-981-1063.

  1. Creating Your ActiveNet Account

To register for activities, you will need to create an Active Orange Beach account.

View and download a printable version of Creating Your ActiveNet Account Instructions (PDF)

Step One

Start by accessing our new site at the City of Orange Beach website.

Steps Two and Three

Click "Sign In/Up" Then on the Sign In page, click "Join" below the Sign In button.

Steps Four and Five

  1. Enter your email address. Click "Next."
  2. Fill in your name, and date of birth and create a password. Required fields are denoted by a red asterisk.
  3. Accept Terms of Use and click "Next."

Steps Six

  1. Fill in your Personal Information. Under "Phone," use the dropdown and select "Cell Phone." Then select your "Operator" (carrier - AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.) and add your cell number. Required fields are denoted by a red asterisk.
  2. Click "Submit."

Please note: Cell phone numbers are required. It is an essential communication tool for the sports director/staff and volunteer coaches.

Step Seven

  1. Congratulations, you have created your Active Orange Beach account! You will receive an email to activate your account.
  2. Once the account is activated, you can add family members.

Adding Family Member(s)

Once your account is created and you sign in, you can add family members. On your "My Account" page click on "Manage Family Member."

  1. On the "My Family Members" page, click on "Add family member".
  2. Then add the new family member's information.

    (For the phone number for children, parents should select "Cell Phone" on the dropdown menu again and select the operator/carrier.)

  3. Click "Submit" and the family member is added.


  1. Register for Activities on ActiveNet