You play a vital role in creating a safe, enjoyable, and empowering experience for our blind and visually impaired sailors. Your primary responsibility is to accompany sailors on the water, offering clear verbal guidance and assistance while fostering a sense of independence and confidence. You’ll help navigate the boat, provide direction during maneuvers, and ensure that the sailor feels comfortable and engaged throughout the journey. Your enthusiasm, patience, and attention to safety will help create an atmosphere of fun and adventure, enabling participants to explore the joys of sailing in a supportive and inclusive environment.

We love having our sighted guides out on the water! To help us provide reliable service to our sailors, we kindly request that volunteer sign up for a minimum of 3 sessions before the season begins (deadline April 30).

• Comfort behind the helm sailing in light to moderate winds, knowledge of basic parts of the boat, gybing/tacking, and Points of Sail
• Must be at least 18 years of age to be on sailboat alone with sailors *if under 18, contact the SailBlind Director to see if you qualify to be a Sighted Guide “observer”.
• SailBlind Registration Form
• CORI background check *if 18 years of age or older
• SailBlind Volunteer Manual Signature
• CBI Waiver Form

• Virtual orientation – Wednesday, April 29, 2026
• In-Person orientation at Community Boating – Saturday, May 2, 2026

In the above required trainings, you will learn:

• Community Boating’s safety procedures & protocols
• Blindness etiquette
• How to guide someone who is visually impaired
• Tips for teaching sailing to the blind

• Free parking!
• Guides who have been with the SailBlind program for 3 or more years are eligible for a Season Pass CBI membership (April 1 through October 31).

Learn from seasoned Sighted Guides to hopefully one day become a sighted guide and take out a boat of blind sailors on your own!

*Must be at least 16 years of age