The Swampscott sailing program wrapped up its adult sessions last week, concluding four weeks of evening sails and shorefront instruction at Eisenman’s Beach.

The July-only program drew approximately 40 participants, who met once a week on Tuesday or Thursday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. The course cost $225 for four sessions, with the only requirement being that participants bring a life jacket.

“Young or old, you can always sail,” said Max Asipenko.

Five sailboats were used each night, with four people typically aboard each: three adults and one counselor.

“We start with a lesson and just talk a little bit about sailing,” said instructor Morgan Bilodeau. “Sometimes it’s about parts of the boat or wind direction, or how to trim your sails, which means pulling them in or letting them out, that kind of thing…the mechanics. Then we take the sail bags and head down the pier, and we get chartered over to our sailboats.”

Now in its 54th year, the sailing program is led by eight instructors, most of whom also teach in the youth program and are former students themselves. While the youth program has run continuously, the adult sessions were paused for a number of years before being brought back several seasons ago.

“I think it is a great learning experience,” said Caiden Lau.

Head instructor Lola Muntiu said the program gives many adults their first real opportunity to get out on the water.

“A lot of them have desk jobs where they sit inside all day in the summer,” Muntiu said. “And they live on the beach, but they never get out on the water.”

Instructors said sailing offers more than just technical skills.

“It gives you the freedom to go wherever you want on the ocean,” said Matvei Soykin.

Updated on August 5 at 10:40 a.m. with spelling of Muntiu’s name