Black Rock Sailing School

Completed the ASA101 and ASA103 classes out of Boston, the ASA104 class out of Warwick, RI, (photo sailing beneath Newport Bridge) all three courses exceeded my expectations! I had zero sailing experience when I started, the instructors appropriately paced the classes and on the water sailing for us to learn the basics, safety, navigation and beyond. Just great!

My husband and I have taken sailing lessons with Black Rock Sailing School and couldn't have been happier with our experience. We did ASA 101, 103 and 104 with Chris and then took a few private lessons with Paul to brush up on our skills the following season. A few years earlier I had taken an introductory class to sailing at another one of the big sailing schools in Boston. Without question, Black Rock Sailing School was the better experience. Black Rock offered us more personalized teaching with a smaller group - there were only 3 people in each each of our classes at Black Rock vs 15 people at the other school. The instructors were also clearly more experienced at Black Rock. I also found Black Rock provided an overall better hands on experience...there were only 3 people on our sailboat compared to 4-5 people at the other school...less people on the boat means more time to learn. I would recommend this sailing school without hesitation.

Had a tremendous three days at Black Rock Sailing School in Boston. We were on a first rate well maintained 33 foot boat with Jim, a very experienced licensed captain with many years of experience on the water. Jim has also been a professional educator for a long time and understands how to teach adults. The other two people in the class were also great assets. It was not an easy class but I always felt in control and walked away knowing I could handle a boat like that. Brenton did a great job getting me into the right class and all the materials and instructions were sent to me well in advance. I will be back.

My husband, nephew, and I just completed our ASA 101 sailing course through Black Rock Sailing School in Boston and I couldn’t have been happier. Our instructors were incredibly knowledgeable not only about the class but about anything we thought of to ask (and there was a lot!). The environment was very welcoming, I never felt like the odd one out as the only woman present in the class. I can’t wait for 103. We’ll be in RI for that one and after going to Boston I was a little sad we set it up this way but Brenton’s reputation suggests we’ll have just as good a time there. Highly recommend for people who are thinking about getting into sailing for the cruising life style (part or full time) as well as the folks who are interested in racing.

Just finished our 101 course with Paul. We got very lucky with the weather being terrific, but more importantly than that the classroom and on-the-water instruction was superb. Paul was knowledgeable, patient, good natured and a skilled teacher (both with the theoretical aspects as well as the practical). Looking forward to taking the 103 course in a couple of weeks and would very much recommend Black Rock to anyone interested in learning to sail.

I recently attended Black Rock Sailing School in Boston. I can’t say enough about Captain Paul & Captain Forest. The instructors were not only knowledgeable & professional but they made it a fun experience. If you are thinking about learning to sail then don’t hesitate to sign up at Black Rock.

I recently completed the ASA 101at Black Rock Sailing School with Paul Sullivan. As a novice, I was apprehensive about being able to demonstrate command of the content and my developing skills on the water but Paul is an exceptional instructor who possesses the perfect combination of knowledge, skill, experience and patience. He is able to teach the most basic skills, peppered with his vast personal and professional experiences, in an engaging yet serious manner. His respect for the power of the sea, wind and air is never in doubt as he conveys the importance of having the knowledge and abilities to sail safely. And while on the water with Paul he supplied a constant narrative to test, educate and encourage us, translating what we had learned in the classroom into real, demonstrable skills. I would highly recommend to anyone contemplating sailing or improving their sailing skills to consider Black Rock Sailing School and certainly "the wind whisperer", Paul Sullivan.