Our Instructors:

Our lead instructor, Thomas Burns, has held a 100 Ton Master’s License, and 50 Ton Sailing Endorsement through the U.S. Coast Guard for the last 30 years. Both Thomas and instructor Menette Burns have several years of experience racing, cruising and crewing, including multi-day blue water passages and ocean crossing. Thomas has taught sailing throughout his years as captain and has taught diving instruction through PADI International for 35 years.
Menette has been sailing and crewing for the last 30 years. Both instructors are Emergency First Responder certified through PADI, and Thomas is an Emergency First Responder instructor. They are members of the Ocean Cruising Club, the prerequisite for which is a continuous ocean passage of at least 1000 nautical miles.
Our Sailing Environment:
The school is located on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, approximately 40 miles north of
New Orleans, and New Orleans International Airport. Lake Pontchartrain is a large inland lake,
with an average depth of 12-14 feet, and covering an area of approximately 630 square miles of
brackish water estuary. It connects to the Gulf of Mexico through an area called The
Rigolets. Located at 30 degrees latitude and 90 degrees longitude, the lake provides conditions
for year round sailing. Winds on the lake rarely exceed 25 knots, so there are many sailable
days in the year.

Our boats:

Presently, the school teaches ASA 101 on a beautiful, red hulled 1971 35’ C&C Redwing racer/cruiser which presents opportunities to practice with multiple types of winches, a standard mainsail
with reefing and cunningham, roller furling, and adjustable backstay. ASA 103 & 104 are taught on a 2005 Beneteau 393. Our instructors can also teach on your boat.

You can reach us by phone: (985) 272-8037, or by email: louisianasailingschool@gmail.com