Florida Keys Sailing

Baltimore Cheasapeake Bay Outward Bound
Baltimore, MD, United States

Course Format: Classroom | E-learning | Virtual Class | Online | On-site | Blended | Self-paced

Course Description:

'' Explore the Florida Keys and their coral reefs, saltwater flats and mangrove islands teeming with life.
You begin learning the skills of sailing and coastal piloting as soon as you board the legendary Hurricane Island sail training vessel (modeled after early nineteenth century whale boats). Consistent winds and shallow waters make this a technically demanding cruising area, which requires that you master the skills you are taught, including marlinespike seamanship, navigation, and sail handling. Snorkel on pristine coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, and explore saltwater flats learning about this fragile and unique ecosystem.

An area characterized by warm, shallow water full of tropical fish, hundreds of birds, and the unique flora and fauna of uninhabited mangrove islands. You will also snorkel on pristine coral reefs teeming with tropical fish of every color imaginable and explore saltwater flats learning about the fragile and unique ecosystems that make up the Florida Keys. Consistent winds and shallow waters make this a technically demanding cruising area, which requires that you master the sailing and navigation skills that your instructors will teach you. Throughout this course, emphasis will be placed on technical skills training, leadership skills, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

Course Area

Your course begins and ends at our sailing base of operations in Key Largo, Florida. The primary course area is a wildlife refuge, home to numerous birds, abundant marine life and the tiny white tailed key deer. The waters are shallow and clear, providing an exciting cruising area for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School¡¯s open sprit rigged ketches.

Sailing courses will cruise in three general areas. The backcountry offers challenging "shoal draft" navigation and the opportunity to explore mangrove keys, tidal flats and coral "patch" reefs. The Atlantic side offers excellent snorkeling at the outer reefs and open water sailing. The area extends to the Everglades with beautiful sand beaches and a maze of rivers and bays to explore. The turquoise waters, warm temperatures and prevailing easterly winds provide exceptional sailing, both day and night! Actual itineraries are based on weather, currents and length of course. The Keys and Everglades were home to the Calusa and Seminole Indians and eventually pioneers looking to make their fortunes. The natural history of the keys is abundant -¨C under the water¡¯s surface, on the numerous keys and in the air. The marine life range from the smallest of the colorful reef fish to the bottled nose dolphin, the rare key deer frequent only a select number of the keys, and the variety of bird life is fascinating.

Expedition

All courses are ¡°expedition-based,¡± which means that you will leave the Key Largo base on the first day of your course and not return to it until the end of your course. You will travel with all of the food and equipment you need to conduct your expedition: stoves, food, snorkel gear, etc. You will row or sail nearly every day, developing skills as you travel along your planned route.

After you arrive, you will spend your first hours meeting your six to ten other crew mates and getting geared up for your expedition. Your two instructors play a very dynamic role during this early part of the course¡ªthe ¡°Training Expedition¡±¡ªas they teach you many new skills. In addition to showing you how to navigate, sail and row, your instructors will be helping your group learn to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts and make decisions. Your instructors are neither counselors nor guides¡ªthey are teachers and mentors whose goal it is to teach you the skills you need to conduct your own coastal expedition.

Once you have begun to acquire basic expedition skills, your group will move into ¡°Main Expedition,¡± where students begin to assume some of the leadership of the course. Your instructors will continue to coach you in expedition behavior and technical skills, but they will allow you and your crewmates to play larger leadership roles. They will still travel with you and be available as resources, but they will expect your group to experiment with its own leadership, conflict resolution and decision-making skills.

About two-thirds of the way through your course, you will be provided with an opportunity for solitude: a period of rest and reflection. This may be in the form of an overnight solo experience, or it may just be time alone on a remote key. Solo has been part of Outward Bound¡¯s rich history for almost forty years. It is a valuable and complimentary experience that offers a true sense of contrast. Many of our participants have said upon their return from solo that it was part of their course¡¯s most defining elements. Our lives are full of busy schedules, even on expedition, and a mental and physical break from the rigors of the journey is welcomed and poignant. Time spent simply in the natural world can be healing, and strengthen your appreciation for the wilderness. While on expedition, no matter what length, you will develop a strong sense of camaraderie and community and though you will enjoy your solitude, it is a truly great feeling to return to the group. Shared adversity brings people together, even when apart. Solo can be a difficult element for some, but it is NOT a survival situation. Solo is essentially camping simplified and ¡°alone¡±. You will bring food, tarp, water, rain gear, and a sleeping bag and bed pad. (Some of these items are not necessary on solos of 8 hours or less.) You will have all of your clothes that you brought on the trip, and you will learn prior to leaving, how to set up your tarp and all safety procedures will be presented clearly. Fasting is an option, but not a requirement. Five day courses offer a solo for up to 4 hours and an 8 day course, 6-8 hours or sometimes overnight. You might be feeling nervous about solo right now, but rest assured that you will be quite ready for this unique time of solitude, and your instructors will explain more about solo during your course.

If your group has mastered the necessary skills, after solo comes the ¡°Final Expedition¡± -¡ª a student-led journey. Final Expedition is a chance for you and your crewmates to test the camp craft, technical, leadership, exploratory and expedition skills you have been learning throughout the course. Your instructors will intervene if safety or course quality is compromised, but otherwise they step back and watch your group run the show.

30 Foot Open Sprit Rigged Ketch

As any sailor can tell you, there is an art to living on a boat. Our vessels, also called Pulling Boats (when there is no wind you ¡°pull¡± on the oars to your destination) are specifically designed to explore tough to reach spots in shallow water. They are very sea worthy, fun to operate, and as vehicles go, perfect for an Outward Bound adventure. You will live close together using only human power as propulsion. There is no engine or wind machine so you must rely on the entire crew to get to where you want to go. In outward Bound, there is no better metaphor. They are built from eight different types of hard wood. She has an 8 foot beam (width). They have 8 rowing stations and 8 oars. At night, when it is time to bed down, you spread out the oars and sleep on top of them. At first this notion is absurd, but incredibly efficient and when you and 9 others take turns doing an anchor watch under a brilliant night sky, you will realize¡­choosing the Florida Keys was a great choice.

The bathroom on board (or head) is primitive. Make no mistake, you will have privacy, but living on this type of vessel is part of the challenge and your instructors will ensure emotional safety at all times. Like anything, once you get used to it, it¡¯s no big deal.

Weather

The weather is usually warm and comfortabl ...''

Phone:410-448-1721

School Address:

1900 Eagle Drive - Leakin Park
Baltimore, MD 21207
United States
410-448-1721
baltimore@hurricaneisland.org

Jobs & Resumes: Baltimore
Houses & Roommates: Baltimore

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