General FAQs
Do I have to be a Westport resident to rent or take classes?
No, Longshore Sailing School is a public facility. You do not need to be a member or a town resident to rent with us.
Where can I park?
Longshore Club Park has 3 parking lots that are available to use. The first two lots are for residents only and vehicles must have a parking emblem to park in them. The third lot, Lot F, located next to the E.R. Strait Marina, is available for out-of-town guests to use.
Rental Cancellation Policy?
Customers will receive a full refund or credit if cancellation is made 24 hours prior to the rental reservation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Contact us by phone or email to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price. All reservations will be held for 15 minutes. If a rental customer is more than 15 minutes late, rental may be cancelled or re-booked to a "walk in" customer and a full refund will be processed.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Dogs are welcome on all of our vessels. We recommend you bring a life-jacket for your dog as we do not provide them.
Is there a swim test?
Yes, there is a swim test on the first day of class for those who have not completed it already. The swim test comprises of swimming one lap of the pool (50 ft), as well as treading water for two minutes.
What happens if it rains?
We will be on the water in the rain. If we are unable to go on the water due to lightning/thunder/heavy winds, we will remain open to provide childcare for our students.
Do I need to bring my own life jacket?
Maybe! We are able to provide life jackets to our adult students for class. However, students are are welcome to bring their own USCG-approved PFDs if they like.
All Juniors are required to bring their own PFD. We recommend US Coast Guard Type 3 life jackets, which are available for purchase at places like WalMart, Amazon, Target, REI, as well as in our store (for pickup or shipping).
Rental FAQs
Do I need to bring anything with me to rent?
We require a photo ID to be held in the office while you rent. Other popular items to bring are swimsuits, towels, hats, sunscreen, and water. We provide life jackets for all of our rentals. Footwear is required to be worn on our property at all times.
Do I need a reservation?
You do not need reservations to rent with us, however we highly recommend them if you are visiting on a holiday or need multiple vessels for your visit. Our Hobie Catamarans are our most popular boats, and it is a good idea to reserve those in advance. To make a reservation, please call our office at 203-226-4646 or reserve online here.
Do I need to have sailing experience to rent?
You do not need to have any experience to rent our kayaks or paddleboards. However, you do need to have some prior sailing experience to rent our sailboats. Each one requires a different level of skill, and it is up to the discretion of our staff to say whether or not a renter is at the adequate skill level for each vessel. The skill guidelines for each of our sailboats are posted above.
What are the age requirements?
Children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Children between the ages of 5 and 8 must be accompanied by one adult per child. Children must be at least 8 years old to go alone. Anyone under the age of 18 needs to have a parent signature on their rental waiver.
What happens if I need assistance on the water?
Each PFD is equipped with a whistle to be blown in case of emergency. In addition, we have a lookout that monitors all of the vessels on the water. We can see boats that have capsized and renters in distress, and will send staff on a motorboat out to assist you.
Can I make up a class if I miss a day?
No, we do not schedule make-up days.
How do I know if I am ready to move on to the next level?
Students learn and pick up skills at different rates, and the best way to determine if you are ready to move on to the next level is to ask your instructor. In addition, students are welcome to call our office so we can help to assess which class is right for you.
REFUND POLICY
Full refund less 4% refund fee if cancelled 21 days before the course start date. Courses cancelled within 21 days of the course start date are not eligible for refunds.