This class is intended for kids who are beginner to intermediate sailors. The minimum age requirement is 7 as of June 1, 2023. For exception to this contact the SYCSP Director at sailingdirector@saugatuckyachtclub.com.
Each day begins with an on shore lesson covering topics such as safety, rigging, boat handling, and tying knots. Then, weather permitting, students will have the opportunity to sail Club Optimist around the Kalamazoo Harbor to practice what they've learned.
This class is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday from 9am to 12pm*
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* Beginner morning class schedule varies for the weeks when the Race Team competes in WMYSA regattas. During these weeks, classes are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 9am to 12pm. Please refer to the Calendar page.
Toward the end of the season we traditionally hold Fun Week. No new instruction will be taught during this time. Only children who took lessons at some point during the summer can sign up for Fun Week.
Wednesday is race day at SYC. Harbor start for races is 1:00 PM. All sailors are encouraged to participate. Beginners will get instructor approval to race once they are at the proper skill level.
The Race Team is intended for kids with advanced sailing abilities. The student must have approval from sailing instructors to participate in this class. This class is taught by our staff of US Sailing certified instructors and begins with onshore lessons covering specific topics such as tacking, spinnakers, and race skills. Sailors will rig and practice their skills in the Kalamazoo harbor daily (weather permitting). Students sail Laser, Optimist, or Club 420, sail boats. Register for class according to sailors fleet.
This class is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
The Race Team will also participate in 4 regattas held on Fridays through the summer, organized by the West Michigan Youth Sailing Association.
SYC race days are Wednesdays at 1 PM and Saturdays at 11 AM. All Race Team sailors are encouraged to race weekly. Race results will accumulate toward the awards that are held at the end of the summer session.
Dinghy Demons is a program intended for kids ages 5 to 7 who are being exposed to sailing for the first time. The students will participate in on-shore activities and weather permitting, get out on the water. All students will be on the water with an instructor in the boat at all times.
This class is held every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 11am.
These classes are designed for adults that want to learn the fun sport of sailing. The curriculum will focus on learning the basics of sailing, points of sale, basic knot tying, rigging, as well as time on the water to practice your skills. This class is taught based on the US Sailing training system by certified US Sailing instructors. Instructors will be on the water either in safety boats or on sailboats with students.
Class will be taught using RS Quest dinghy sailboats or other club owned day sailor. Students are required to bring their own lifejackets.
This class is held on Monday and Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
For the class schedules, go to the registration page.
We have several instructors that are available to teach private lessons in the evening. To inquire about availability please contact the Sailing Director at sailingdirector@saugatuckyachtclub.com