Do I need sailing experience?

Not at all. Most of our students start from zero. We adapt completely to your level — if you've never set foot on a sailboat, that's the perfect starting point.

Are lessons conducted in English?

Yes. Ricard is fluent in English and regularly teaches expats and international visitors. You'll get clear, precise instruction without any language barrier.

Can I bring a partner or friend?

Absolutely. The price is per session, not per person. You can come solo for maximum focus, or share the session with your partner, a friend, or a small group. The boat is exclusively yours.

What if there's no wind?

If conditions are completely calm, we use the time for engine maneuvers, safety drills, and on-board theory. If the weather is dangerous, we reschedule at no cost to you.

Will this count towards an official sailing endorsement?

These are free-form technical lessons — ideal for building real confidence before or after getting your license. The official 16-hour sailing endorsement (habilitación a vela) for PER/PNB titles is a separate regulated course; contact us if you need that.

Where does the session depart from?

All sessions depart from Port Garraf, Sitges — 35 minutes south of Barcelona by car, with free parking. It's one of the most sheltered and reliable sailing spots on the Catalan coast.

Sailing Course in Barcelona: Master the Wind

Private lessons from Port Garraf, Sitges — 35 min from Barcelona. All levels welcome. Ricard, a professional skipper with 20+ years, teaches in English.

1,200+ Certified Skippers

20+ Years of Experience

Official Accredited School

180+ 5-Star Reviews

100% Private Session

Sailing lesson Barcelona — student at the bow of a sailboat

Your first time or your best yet

Unlike crowded sailing schools, at Altair you get 100% personalised training on a classic sailboat — dedicated entirely to your learning.

An exclusive learning experience

Level 1 — First time on a sailboat

Find your sea legs

Never sailed before? You'll learn the points of sail, how the boat responds to wind, and steer the boat yourself.

Level 2 — Take control

Tacking, jibing & safety

Master the core maneuvers: tacking, jibing, heaving-to. Understand why the boat moves the way it does.

Level 3 — Sail trim & performance

The art of trim

Advanced sail settings, heavy-weather sailing, and single-handed maneuvers. For skippers who want to go further.

Professional-Level Training

We don't just teach you to move the boat — we teach you to read wind and sea. You'll understand the physics behind sail lift and the seamanship required to handle a classic Finnish sailboat like the BELA.

Real data on the water

We use on-board instruments to optimise heading and speed based on apparent wind — you learn by doing, not just listening.

Officially authorised school

Authorised by the Generalitat de Catalunya, with full civil liability and rescue insurance. You're in safe hands.

Detailed Technical Programme

Rig & Rigging

Mast, boom, standing rigging (shrouds, forestay) and running rigging (halyards, sheets). Learn the name and function of every line.

Points of Sail

Close-hauled, beam reach, broad reach, downwind run. Dead zones, lift and header. Build intuition for how wind angle drives everything.

Core Maneuvers

Tacking through the wind and controlled gybing. Heaving-to for resting or riding out bad weather. Anchoring safely.

Advanced Sail Trim

Cunningham, vang, traveller, and battens. Managing heel and power in different conditions. Apparent wind on different points of sail.

Safety at Sea

Man Overboard (MOB) recovery under sail, harness and tether use, Beaufort and Douglas scales, VHF basics.

Frequently asked questions

High-Performance Sessions

Each 2-hour session is designed to maximise time on the water. We choose the best thermal wind windows along the Garraf coast to guarantee a real learning experience — not just a boat trip.

Ricard Prehn

Director & Professional Sailing Instructor

Private Session — price per boat, not per person

€250

/2h session

+€100 per extra hour

Just you and Ricard — or share with friends or family. No strangers on board.

Need an official sailing endorsement?

If you need the official 16-hour certificate to sail under your PER or PNB licence, that's a separate regulated programme. We run it too.

View PER Course in English