Arriving
Please arrive 15 minutes before your start time at the meet-up spot in your confirmation. The gate and the walk to the dock take a few minutes, and we use the time to fit life jackets and go over safety. Your lesson starts on time whether or not everyone is there.
Running late
Text us if you are running behind. We hold the boat for 15 minutes. After that we may need to shorten your lesson so the next student starts on time. More than 30 minutes late with no word counts as a no-show.
What to wear
Closed-toe shoes that can get wet, a hat, sunglasses with a strap, sunscreen, and light layers. Think of it as a windy walk on a beach. Bring water and a change of clothes for the car. Flip-flops and bare feet are not allowed on the boat.
Alcohol and drugs
None before or during your lesson, for anyone aboard. If someone appears impaired, they will not board and the lesson is treated as a no-show. This is a safety rule and we do not make exceptions.
Kids and teens
Children 10 and up are welcome on a Couple and Family lesson with a parent or guardian aboard. Teens 14 to 17 may take a lesson without a parent aboard if a parent signs the consent form and stays reachable by phone. Everyone under 18 wears a life jacket the whole time. A parent or guardian must sign the minor waiver before we board.
Waivers
Everyone who steps on the boat signs a waiver first, including parents who come along. You will get a link in your confirmation and it takes about two minutes on your phone. No signed waiver, no boarding. We keep waivers on file for a year, so returning students only sign once a season.
Weather
Sailing depends on the weather and safety comes before the schedule. Scott makes the call and makes it early when he can. You will hear from us the evening before and again about two hours before your start. If we cancel for weather, you choose a free new date or a full refund. If we have to come in early with less than half the lesson done, we reschedule the rest for free. Cloudy or a little rain is usually fine. Lightning, strong wind, and extreme heat are not.
Changing your date
Move your lesson for free any time up to 48 hours before, using the link in your confirmation. Your payment stays with your booking. Inside 48 hours we will give you one courtesy move. After that, a late change costs 50 percent of the lesson price, or the deposit if you paid one. ASA courses can be moved for free up to 14 days before day one.
Cancelling
Cancel 48 hours or more before your lesson for a full refund. Inside 48 hours, the late fee above applies. No-shows are not refunded. ASA courses cancelled 14 or more days out are refunded in full minus a [$50] admin fee. Inside 14 days, your payment becomes a credit toward a future course.
Refunds
Refunds go back to the card you paid with, usually within five business days. If a lesson did not go the way it should have, tell Scott. We would rather fix it with a free tune-up than argue about it.
Gift certificates
Gift certificates never expire and can be used for any lesson. They cannot be exchanged for cash. The weather and cancellation policies apply once a date is booked.
Photos
We love to take a photo of you at the tiller, and we only share it if you say yes on the media release. Saying no changes nothing about your lesson. Tell us any time if you change your mind.
The instructor has the final say
On the boat, Scott is the skipper. He decides whether we sail, where we go, what we practice, and when we head in. He may end a lesson at any time for safety or for behavior that puts anyone at risk. If a lesson ends early for weather, we reschedule the rest for free. If it ends early because of behavior, it is not refunded.
Questions
Text or call (737) 864-0420, or email [email protected]. A real person answers.
Privacy
[PRIVACY POLICY TEXT]
Upwind Sailing is a trade name of Upwind Holdings, LLC. Policies updated October 5, 2026.