Sailing lessons
Sailing school Aalsmeer teaches sailing and surfing in many different boat types. We offer a variation of week courses, summer courses, day courses, private lessons and clinics. Below, you find the course guide that will help you choose the best suitable boat type.
The default language for most of our sailing courses and summer camps is Dutch. We have 3 international summer sailing weeks during which we provide lessons in English. Private lessons and clinics can always be taught in English. If you have any questions about whether a certain lesson can be taught in English, please don’t hesitate to call us (+31-297-320122) or send us an email at info@zeilschoolaalsmeer.nl.
Private lessons
Private lessons will be fully tailored to your wishes and skill level. We provide private lessons in all of our boat types. Lessons can be taken alone or together with a friend or family member. You can go for a full day or for a 3-hour block in the morning, afternoon or evening. Evening lessons can take place until sunset latest.
We can also tutor you on your own boat. If you are interested, please send us an email at info@zeilschoolaalsmeer.nl. Let us know your wishes, the boat type and location of berth, and you will receive a personalised offer.
Day & multi-day courses
A day course is one day of lessons in a group with other participants. You can book a day course on any day of the week at any time in the year. Note however that day courses do require a minimum of 3 participants.
A multi-day course consists of 3, 4 or 5 days of lessons with the same group of participants. All multi-day courses we offer have predetermined dates. These include:
- Week courses during the spring, summer and autumn holidays (5 or 3 days on Mon-Fri)
- a 4-day course during the weekend of Ascension Day (Thu-Sun)
- a 3-day course during the weekend of Withsunday (Sat-Mon)
- several courses on 4 or 5 consecutive Saturdays or Sundays in April/May, June and September
When we draft the groups for a course, we take into account the age and experience of participants as much as possible. We try to keep the differences in age and experience to a minimum.
Summer camps
During all weeks of the Dutch school summer holidays we offer week courses from Monday till Friday. During these weeks we provide lunch, which consists of bread, bread toppings, fruit and snack cucumbers/tomatoes. On top of that there is a barbecue for all participants on Wednesday after the lessons.
Apart from this, the course is the same as any other week course. The lessons take place between 10 and 17h, except for busy weeks where the starting times vary between 9:15 and 10:30h. There is no sleeping accommodation at the sailing school, so participants go home after the lessons.
International weeks
At the beginning of July, before the start of the summer camps, we have 2 or 3 International weeks. These weeks are aimed more specifically at English speaking participants. These are often weeks with few pupils and more personal attention from the instructor. During these weeks there is no barbecue and lunch is not included. Lunch can be ordered in our canteen.
Day schedule
Both private and group lessons take place between 10 and 17 o’clock.*
- 09:45h: arrive on time, please. If necessary, change into different clothes or swimming gear and wetsuit.
- 10:00h: start of the lessons
- 13:00h: lunchbreak
- 16:30h: the boats arrive back in the harbour, together we tidy up and clean the boats
- 17:00h: we wrap up and close the day together
A morning lesson will end at 13:00h, whereas an afternoon lesson will start at 14:00h (arrive on time at 13:45h).
Alternate times for multi-day courses
- On the last day of a multi-day course sailing certificates are handed out at the end of the day. Therefore this last day will finish somewhat later.
- Most week courses have a barbecue on Wednesday. These days usually finish around 18:45h.
During courses for youth it is possible to bring your child as early as 9 o’clock and collect him/her until 18 o’clock. If you give us early notice, we will provide supervision free of charge.
* During busy summer courses these times may vary a little. If that is the case, this will be communicated shortly before the start of the course.
What to bring?
It is always useful to bring:
- Your own lunch or order lunch at the bar (fries, snacks, sandwiches).
- Exception: during the summer week courses a lunch will be provided by us.
- For warm weather: sunscreen, cap, swimming gear & towel, water.
- For cold weather: warm clothing (bring several layers), warm hat & gloves.
For surf, centreboard boat and catamaran courses:
- Swim apparel for underneath the wetsuit and towel.
- Old shorts to wear over the wetsuit to protect it. The wetsuit will be provided by us.
- Surf/water shoes. Alternatively you can borrow those from us.
For keelboat and optimist courses:
- Comfortable clothing. Bring several layers, to adjust for warmer or colder weather. Keep in mind that it is always colder on the water than on shore!
- Keep your feet dry. We recommend boots.
- Extra set of dry clothes.
- Rain jacket and waterproof trousers. Alternatively you can rent foul weather gear from us to keep warm and dry. Please reserve your set on time, as we have a limited stock.
What not to bring?
The sailing school is not responsible for lost items. We recommend putting name tags in your clothes and leaving valuable items at home. We do have lockers for valuable items next to the changing rooms. These lockers require a €1 coin, which will be returned after use.
NWD & VDWS
Sailing school Aalsmeer is a professional sail and surf school, acclaimed and checked by the Dutch “Nationaal Watersportdiploma” (NWD) and the international German organisation “Verband Deutsche Wassersport Schule” (VDWS). Sailing school Aalsmeer works with both certification systems, making it possible to receive a NWD diploma and/or a VDWS certificate at the end of your course.
The NWD has 4 levels of diplomas in 3 age categories.
If you would like to have a certificate that is internationally transferable, you can ask for a VDWS-diploma (Grundschein). With this diploma, you can show your accomplishments and continue your sailing or surfing journey at more than 400 VDWS schools worldwide.
CWO
As of 2024 we do not issue diplomas from the Dutch foundation “Commissie Watersport Opleidingen” (CWO) anymore. You can come sail with us (again) if you have previously received a CWO diploma or progress statement. You do not have to start over. The lessons will build on your current skill level and at the end of the course you will receive a NWD diploma that corresponds with your new skill level.
Courseguide
Kids will have the most fun learning how to sail if they choose a boat type that is compatible with their age and experience level. The infographic below gives you a quick overview. Below the infographic you will find more information about each boat type.
Age: | 5-6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12-13 | 14-16 | Adults |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spetter & Optimist |  |  | | | | ||||
| Youth keelboat & Keelboat |  | | | | | | |
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| RS Tera |  | | | ||||||
| Laser Pico & RS Zest doublehanded |  | | | ||||||
| RS Feva doublehanded |  | | |||||||
| Laser Pico & RS Zest singlehanded |  | |  |
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| Laser singlehanded |  | |
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| Laser Vago/2000 doublehanded |  | |
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| Catamaran |  | |
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| Windsurfing |  | | | |
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| Wind & wingfoiling |  | |
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| Green: Beginner till advanced Yellow: Somewhat experienced till advanced Orange: Somewhat advanced till advanced (plus) |
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Further information per boat type – Youth
‘Spetter’ introduction course
The “spetter” courses exist specifically for kids aged 5-6 that really yearn to sail, but are too young for the Optimist course. In this half-day course two kids share an Optimist sail dinghy in a group with maximum 3 boats. A fun sail instructor will be nearby in a motorboat. Usually a smaller sail is used to reduce the strength needed to handle it. In this way young kids can get acquainted with sailing in a playful way.
Safety is our first concern. Kids will always have to wear a lifejacket, not just a buoyancy aid, also when on shore. Instructors will make sure that sunscreen is applied at least twice a day. We pay attention to whether the kids are dressed appropriately when on the water, wearing warmer clothes and using more protection against the sun (hat, long sleeved shirt) than on shore.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course
Optimist
The Optimist is a small, rather rectangular dinghy with just one sail. It is very stable because of its shape, making it ideal for kids of age 7-10 to learn to sail. A beginner will learn how to use the tiller to steer the dinghy, how to adjust the sail and regulate the speed. Kids with some experience will learn more advanced skills such as how to use the tiller extension, balance the boat by sitting on the side and how to initiate planing.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Alternative options
Too young for an Optimist? Kids age 5-6 can start out in the “spetter” course, sharing the boat with one other kid and using a smaller sail.
Older than 10, but no sailing experience yet? Try out the youth keelboat or the 2-person centreboard boat (RS Zest/Laser Pico duo) to learn the basics.
Ready for a more advanced boat? Check out the centreboard boat RS Tera or the youth keelboat.
Youth keelboat
The keelboat, with its fixed keel and spacious cockpit, is a stable boat for multiple people. Sailing school Aalsmeer has 3 types: Valk, Flytour and Randmeer. They are all slightly different, each with unique learning opportunities. The keelboat is great for learning the basics of sailing and teamwork, while also providing challenges for the experienced sailor. On request we will teach you to sail with a spinnaker or how to use the trapeze. During the lessons you will share the boat with a maximum of 3 other students. Initially the instructor will teach from within the boat. When you are ready for the next step, you will sail the boat with one other person, with the instructor nearby in a motorboat or other sailboat.
The keelboat is suitable for ages 8 and up. For younger kids we recommend starting out in the Optimist.
Youth aged 8 to 13 will learn for the “Youth Keelboat” diploma line, which is less demanding than the “Adult Keelboat” diploma line for which you can train if you are 14 or older.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Youth centreboard boats
Centreboard boats are dynamic, fast, manoeuvrable and most of them capsize easily. One of the first things you will learn is how to right the boat after capsize. In centreboard boats you will also learn how to regulate the balance of the boat, how to initiate planing, the basics of match racing and much more. Some of our boats are sailed by two people/doublehanded and you will learn how to coordinate and communicate with your teammate.
Training in the youth centreboard boats below will be rewarded by a “Youth Centreboard” diploma.
RS Tera (for youth aged 9-11) has 1 sail and is sailed singlehanded (= with just 1 person). This is an advanced boat and the perfect step up from the Optimist. Some previous sailing experience is required.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
RS Zest and Laser Pico can be sailed singlehanded with one person and one sailor doublehanded with two people and two sails. These boats are slightly heavier than RS Tera and require more weight to get it upright. Therefore they are great boats to sail doublehanded for teens aged 11-14 and great to sail singlehanded from age 12 or 13 and up. With some previous sailing experience in either Optimist or keelboat you will get the most fun and learning out of this boat. For the doublehanded course you can sign up together with a friend, if you have about the same level of experience. If you sign up solo for the doublehanded course you will be matched with someone with the same level of experience.
BOOK HERE for singlehanded: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
BOOK HERE for doublehanded: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
RS Feva doublehanded is great for ages 12 and higher and is the next step up from RS Zest and Laser Pico. This boat is sailed doublehanded by two people. Having 3 sails, this boat presents an extra challenge for those with previous experience in sailing centreboard boats. Teamwork is more important. In this boat you will learn good communication skills and how to use a gennaker.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Centreboard boats for ages 14 and up
Laser singlehanded and Laser Vago/2000 doublehanded are boats for the experienced centreboard sailor aged 14 or older. They are the next step up from the youth centreboard boats. Training in these boats is rewarded with a “Centreboard” diploma or progress statement, which has more advanced requirements than the “Youth Centreboard” diploma line.
Laser is the ideal advanced boat to learn more about the interaction between weight distribution, sail trim and steering. You will practice manoeuvres like roll-tack, roll-gybe, planing and more. You will also learn more about safety, forces and the basics of sailing competitions.
If you have no sailing experience yet but are aged 14 or older, you can book this course, but you will start out in the Laser Pico or RS Zest.
Laser singlehanded is the international racing dingy that is used in the Olympics and other international races. It has 1 sail and is sailed singlehanded. There are multiple sizes of sail for different types of weather.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Laser Vago/2000 doublehanded is for those who would rather sail together with someone. The boat has two sails and an optional third: the gennaker. The challenge in this boat is to keep balance with two people in the boat. Furthermore you can learn to sail with a gennaker and how to use a trapeze.
BOOK HERE: Multi-dau course | Day course | Private lesson
Youth catamaran
The RS CAT 14 is our fastest youth boat. If you love speed and are aged 14 or older, this is the boat for you. You will sail with one other person and learn how to cooperate with each other, keep the boat upright and balanced at high speeds. You can also learn how to use the gennaker and trapeze. The instructor will be nearby in a motorboat.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Windsurf
Windsurfing is a fun alternative to a sailboat to enjoy being out on the water and work with the wind. Learning to windsurf requires energy and perseverance. Once you get the hang of it, you will want to keep going. We teach surfing from age 11 and up.
As a beginner you will learn which material you need and how to prepare it. You will train to balance on the board, learn how to start, get to know the different points of sail and how to adjust your sail accordingly. Furthermore you will practice tacking and gybing and more. In short, you will prepare to surf independently.
The experienced surfer can train to finetune the basics and continue with the more advanced skills. You will learn to surf close hauled, train to tack faster, learn a power gybe or how to plane and use the foot holds. You will be invited to execute manoeuvres more accurately and faster. In short, you will improve your control over board and sail.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Wind foil & Wing foil
Foiling is the newest and trendiest water sports discipline. A winglike construction underneath a board creates upward pressure and lifts the board out of the water. The result is that it feels as if you are flying across the water surface at an incredible speed.
The exciting new sport of wing foiling combines this foil board with a kite that you hold in your hands, whereas wind foiling combines the foil with a regular windsurfing sail. For wind foiling you need previous windsurfing experience. Wing foiling does not require any previous sailing or surfing experience. So anyone can come and give it a try!
Wing foiling is exciting and fast. The basics of how to hold the wing and manoeuvre the board are relatively easy to learn, also if you do not have any previous experience with windsurfing or kite surfing. The challenge is to keep your balance, especially when the board starts lifting from the water. Perseverance and a good sense of balance are the most important ingredients to learn to wing foil.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Group clinic (1.5 h) | Private lesson (2.5h)
Wind foiling gives an exhilarating new dimension to windsurfing, flying above the water surface. The reduced friction allows for even greater speed than regular windsurfing. Whether you want to try foiling for the first or have some foiling experience already and want to take the next step, sailing school Aalsmeer is the right place for you. We offer private lessons only.
BOOK HERE: Group clinic (1.5 h) | Private lesson (2.5 h)
Combination course
Can’t choose? You’re in luck, you don’t have to.
We offer combination courses where you can get to know different boat types. The windsurf or keelboat course will be the base for your week. Apart from that you can get acquainted with the other of those two disciplines, go sailing on the centreboard boat Laser Pico and race along on one of our fast catamarans.
You do not need any experience for this course. If you already have experience in the discipline of your choosing, then of course you will continue at your own level for that discipline.
Choose one or our combination courses if you want a week full of variation, if you want to learn the differences and similarities between surfing and sailing, if you want to try a (few) different boat types to discover which one you like most or if you just want a fun-filled water sports week.
BOOK HERE for Keelboat combi: Multi-day course
BOOK HERE for Windsurf combi: Multi-day course
Further information per boat type – Adult
Keelboat
The keelboat, with its fixed keel and spacious cockpit, is a stable boat for multiple people. Sailing school Aalsmeer has 3 types: Valk, Flytour and Randmeer. They are all slightly different, each with unique learning opportunities. The keelboat is great for learning the basics of sailing and teamwork, while also providing challenges for the experienced sailor. On request we will teach you to sail with a spinnaker or how to use the trapeze.
During our lessons you will share the boat with a maximum of 3 other students. Sailing together you will learn a lot from each other and from hearing feedback given to your fellow students. With this set-up you will also practice directing a boat with crew. Initially the instructor will teach from within the boat. When you are ready for the next step, you will sail the boat with one other person, with the instructor nearby in a motorboat or other sailboat.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Centreboard boats
Centreboard boats are dynamic, fast, manoeuvrable and most of them capsize easily. If you have no sailing experience yet, you will start out in the Laser Pico or RS Zest to learn the basic skills. One of the first things you will learn is how to right the boat after capsize. In centreboard boats you will also learn how to regulate the balance of the boat, how to initiate planing, the basics of match racing and much more.
Those who already have some sailing experience will enjoy sailing alone in the Laser singlehanded or together with someone else in the Laser Vago/2000 doublehanded. The Laser is the ideal boat for advanced sailors to learn more about the interaction between weight distribution, sail trim and steering. You will practice manoeuvres like roll-tack, roll-gybe, planing and more. You will also learn more about safety, forces and the basics of sailing competitions. In the Laser Vago/2000 you will also learn how to coordinate and communicate with your teammate.
Laser singlehanded is the international racing dingy that is used in the Olympics and other international races. It has 1 sail and is sailed solo. There are multiple sizes of sail for different types of weather.
BOOK HERE, also if you are a beginner: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Laser Vago/2000 doublehanded is for those who would like to sail together with someone. The boat has two sails and an optional third: the gennaker. The challenge in this boat is to keep balance with two people in the boat. Furthermore you can learn to sail with a gennaker and how to use a trapeze.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
29er
The 29er is a High Performance Skiff with asymmetric spinnaker of 15 m2 and trapeze. It is a spectacularly fast 2-person centreboard racing boat that can reach speeds of 20 knots and above. It is an advanced boat for the experienced and agile sailor.
In this boat type we provide only private lessons for a half day (3 hours) or full day (10-17 o’clock).
If you book a lesson, you will learn how to prepare the boat for sailing, practice keeping the boat balanced, learn how to trim the sails, how to use the gennaker and where and how to stand in trapeze.
BOOK HERE: Private lesson
Catamaran
We offer lessons in two types of catamaran: the RS CAT 14 with one trapeze and the Nacra 570 with two trapezes. The Nacra is the fastest boat of our fleet, with a gennaker of 21 m2 and a combined sail area for head sail and main sail of 21.4 m2. A catamaran is sailed doublehanded at high speed and is therefore a great boat to learn to cooperate as a team and keep the boat under control when you are flying across the lake.
In this boat type we provide only private lessons for a half day (3 hours) or full day (10-17 o’clock). The instructor will decide whether to use the RS CAT 14 or the Nacra 570, depending on your skill level and the weather.
If you are a beginner or if there is a lot of wind the best option is often the RS CAT 14. This catamaran can also be sailed singlehanded, which provides a nice challenge to balance steering, standing in trapeze, keeping the boat under control and handle the spinnaker.
Most often the lesson will take place on the Nacra 570, which is always sailed doublehanded. Initially the instructor will come along on board. Later on he/she will coach you from a motorboat. If you are an experienced catamaran sailor the Nacra, with its two trapezes and 42 m2 of sail area, will still provide enough of a challenge.
BOOK HERE: Private lesson
Windsurf
Windsurfing is a fun alternative to a sailboat to enjoy being out on the water and work with the wind. Learning to windsurf requires energy and perseverance. Once you get the hang of it, you will want to keep going.
As a beginner you will learn which material you need and how to get it ready. You will train to balance on the board, learn how to start, get to know the different points of sail and how to adjust your sail accordingly. Furthermore you will practice tacking and gybing and more. In short, you will prepare to surf independently.
The experienced surfer can train to finetune the basics and continue with the more advanced skills. You will learn to surf close hauled, train to tack faster, learn a power gybe or how to plane and use the foot holds. You will be invited to execute manoeuvres more accurately and faster. In short, you will improve your control over board and sail.
BOOK HERE: Multi-day course | Day course | Private lesson
Wind foil & Wing foil
Foiling is the newest and trendiest water sports discipline. A winglike construction underneath a board creates upward pressure and lifts the board out of the water. The result is that it feels as if you are flying across the water surface at an incredible speed.
The exciting new sport of wing foiling combines this foil board with a kite that you hold in your hands, whereas wind foiling combines the foil with a regular windsurfing sail. For wind foiling you need to have previous windsurfing experience. Wing foiling does not require any previous sailing or surfing experience. So anyone can come and give it a try!
Wing foiling is exciting and fast. The basics of how to hold the wing and manoeuvre the board are relatively easy to learn. That also goes if you do not have any previous experience with windsurfing or kite surfing. The challenge is to keep your balance, especially when the board starts coming out of the water. Perseverance and a good sense of balance are the most important ingredients to learn to wing foil.
BOOK HERE: Group clinic (1.5 h) | Private lesson (2.5h)
Windfoiling gives an exhilarating new dimension to windsurfing, flying over the water surface. The reduced friction allows for even greater speed than regular windsurfing. Whether you want to try foiling for the first time or whether you already have some foiling experience and want to take the next step: sailing school Aalsmeer is the right place for you. We offer private lessons only.
BOOK HERE: Group clinic (1.5 h) | Private lesson (2.5h)