Age & Skill Level

Sailing Class


6 and 7 years old

Beginner

Explorers

This course is designed to give young children an early and controlled introduction to the world of sailing consisting of on land and on water instruction. 

Students will be introduced to:

  • Boat parts

  • Rigging

  • Points of sail

  • and water safety. 

Students will be learning on a butterfly sailed by an instructor. The sailor/instructor ratio will be no more than 2 or 3 sailors per instructor.


8, 9, 10 years old

Beginner/Intermediate

Beginning Opti (or Opti 1)

This course is for the young and beginning sailor or one who has completed Explorers (not a prerequisite). The sailors will build on their knowledge of:

  • Boat parts

  • Points of sail

  • Reading the wind

  • and introduction to buoy sailing

At the successful completion of this course the sailor will be able to rig a boat and sail an Opti independently and with confidence. Instructors build on sailors' prior knowledge with each session. No instructor on the boat. **5 minute swim test required.


Intermediate Opti (or Opti 2)

This course is for younger, experienced Opti sailors and for students who have successfully completed Beginning Butterfly. Students must have basic knowledge of sailing and be comfortable on a boat without an instructor. The sailors will improve: 

  • Basic boat handling

  • Advanced points of sail

  • Reading the wind

  • and introduction to advanced buoy sailing

while sailing with a partner or single handed. After completion of this course the sailor will be able to sail a butterfly independently and with confidence. Instructors build on sailors' prior knowledge with each session. **5 minute swim test required.

8, 9 or 10 years old

Intermediate/Advanced


10 - 17 years old

Beginner/Intermediate

Beginning Butterfly (or Butterfly 1)

This course is for the older and beginning sailor or one who has completed Opti 1 course (not a prerequisite). The sailors will build on their knowledge of:

  • Boat parts

  • Points of sail

  • Reading the wind

  • and introduction to buoy sailing while in a larger vessel

At the successful completion of this course the sailor will be able to rig a Butterfly and sail Butterfly independently and with confidence. Instructors build on sailors' prior knowledge with each session. No instructor on the boat. **5 minute swim test required.


11-17 years old

Beginner/Intermediate

Intermediate Butterfly (or Butterfly 2)

This course is for older, experienced Butterfly sailors and for students who have successfully completed Beginning Butterfly. Students must have basic knowledge of sailing and be comfortable on a boat without an instructor. The sailors will improve: 

  • Basic boat handling

  • Advanced points of sail

  • Reading the wind

  • and introduction to advanced buoy sailing

while sailing with a partner or single handed. After completion of this course the sailor will be able to sail a butterfly independently and with confidence. Instructors build on sailors' prior knowledge with each session. **5 minute swim test required.


9-17 years old

Intermediate

Intro to Racing

This course is designed to introduce sailors to basic racing knowledge and skills. Sailors will learn: 

  • Racing rules 

  • Starting and buoy roundings 

  • Advanced wind reading knowledge

  • And basic boat handling.

Students must have completed Opti/Butterfly 2 course to enter along with instructor approval. Sailors will be on Opti or Butterfly. After completion of this course the sailor will have basic racing knowledge and be able to successfully sail around a race course. Instructors build on sailors’ prior knowledge with each session. **5 minute swim test required.


10-17 years old

Advanced

Racing Skills

This course is for sailors that completed intro to racing with instructor approval and are looking to learn more advanced racing tactics. Sailors will learn: 

  • Advanced boat handling skills 

  • Deeper understanding of the rules 

  • Regatta preparation 

  • Sportsmanship and leadership skills 

  • Race course management and tactics 

This course is designed for sailors to take their racing to the next level.  We have seasoned coaches that are ready to teach top secret tips to make the boat go faster and advance the sailors skills. **5 minute swim test required.


12+ Years Old

Advanced

Racing Team

We have divided our race program into the Racing Skills course, and a Regatta Race Team. You are welcome to sign up for one or both, depending on how much time you would like to spend on the water. SLJSA has been very competitive in the WMYSA series over the past two summers and we are looking forward to having a competitive team again this summer! 


12+ Years Old

Beginner/Intermediate

420 Camp

This class is for middle and high school aged kids who are looking to prepare for the high school sailing team. The class will be taught on 420s (the boats used in high school sailing). Students will learn: 

  • Boat parts 

  • Basic racing skills 

  • Crewing and driving skills 

  • Boat handling 

  • Tactics and course management skills


Adult (18+)

Beginner

Adult Lessons - 4 evenings

Adults can learn to sail, too! This class is for adults interested in learning to sail, becoming more comfortable steering a boat, as well as moving toward skippering or crewing in a race. Skills learned include: 

  • Basic boat parts

  • Points of Sail 

  • Rigging

  • Basic Boat handling

Instructors build on sailors’ prior knowledge with each session.


Any age

Any experience

Private Lessons

One on one instruction scheduled at a convenient time for both the sailor and the instructor. Learn to sail your own boat or use our fleet. Family and group lessons are also available. Sailor will be alone on the boat or with family member/approved friend.

Please contact SLJSA Director at springlakejuniorsailingassoc@gmail.com