Learn to Sail this Summer!

Nestled in the mountains in the protected waters on the southern end of Western Maryland’s largest fresh water lake, Deep Creek Sailing School (DCSS) instructs people of all ages in the sport of sailing. U.S. Sailing-certified instructors guide students through water and boat safety, basic sailing, boat handling, and, for our more advanced students, racing techniques, using Optimist Prams, Lasers, 420s and Flying Scots. Week-long classes are available for juniors, teens, and adults.  In addition, adult private sailing lessons are available all summer upon request.

DCSS shares facilities with the Deep Creek Yacht Club at Turkey Neck, but is a completely separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and open to the entire community. Sailing school graduates are encouraged to participate all summer in weekend racing.

Become part of this vibrant sailing community.

Check out the 2018 schedule!

Advanced Racing Clinic
Wednesday-Friday, July 25-27 at Deerhaven
Anyone 16 and older can take their racing skills to the next level with instruction from our Gold Fleet instructors. Make sure your boat is set up for success, properly rigged and tuned. Learn the finer points of Flying Scot sail trim and boat handling in various conditions. Improve your starts, spinnaker sets and take downs and mark roundings. Learn how to plan out your racing strategy, improve skipper crew communication, and brush up on your rules. Come ready to sail hard, learn a lot and have fun! This is perfect for those newer to racing and for those wanting to move up in the fleet. We hope to offer break out groups, and individualized coaching to accommodate teams with varying levels of experience.

Great preparation for the Sandy Douglas regatta!


DCSS does not rent boats.