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HomeYouth Sailing Education

Youth Summer Sailing Classes

LSC Youth Sailing Training for this summer features five weeks of classes, with beginner tracks for newer sailors, intermediate classes for those with some sailing experience, and for any current LSC sailing student, extra time on the water with fun afternoon sailing for all levels. The final week of classes is an introduction to the fun of racing. Week sessions are scheduled for June 16 - 20, July 7 - 11,  July 21-25, July 28-August 1,  and Learn-to-Race, aka 'Race Week' is August 4 - 8.



Register for 2025 Sailing Classes




Start the adventure of a lifetime. Sailing teaches confidence, fun on the water, teamwork, safety, and a love of the outdoors. Young sailors in our summer sessions will learn how to sail a small sailboat, and those who already know how to sail will enjoy the Intermediate 1 or 2 Sessions to build on their skills and sailing confidence. Racing Class introduces youth to the fun of competitive sailing, and hones the skills of current racers - increasing mastery of sailing and preparing them to join, if they want to continue racing, grade 6-12 Fall/Spring interscholastic racing teams at LSC, or Summer Fleet racing. We learn on a variety of boats for great summer fun! We emphasize safe sailing and having fun as well as developing good sailing skills.

Let's make this a summer of less screens, and more fun on the water!



Classes/Dates


 




Register for 2025 Sailing Classes

Levels

Intro to Sailing is for youth who are new to sailing, or need to review the basics - rigging and basic boat-handling, and basic rules of the road, and safety.

Afternoon Fun Sailing All Levels is for youth who are taking (or have taken) LSC sailing classes, to enjoy more fun and practice time on the water. Class takes place mostly on the water, sailing with instructors near or in sailboat, in single-person and larger sailboats, with addition of some seamanship skills.

Intermediate Sailing 1 builds on the basics for more confident boat control and sailing skills.

Intermediate Sailing 2 challenges youth sailors with more sailing techniques, such as spinnaker, crew teamwork, decision making, and a taste of racing fun.

Sailing Adventure, Skills and Science (STEM) explores the world of sailing with fun hands-on science, nautical skills, Great Lakes history, and the arts - for practical skills and understanding, as well as an appreciation for the environment and history of sailing. No pre-requisites.
 
Racing Class (Clinic) (aka "Race Week") is a training for youth sailors in the fun and challenging sport of racing, on Club420 Sailboats, the boats used by our Fall/Spring Youth Interscholastic Racing Teams and the MSU Collegiate racing team.

All these classes may be repeated by a student, and instructors may switch a student to a less or more challenging concurrent class if more suitable. Intermediate classes are best for youth who have a basic understanding of sailing/have taken a previous week's class, or junior sailing classes before.


Minimum physical and language requirements to operate and move on a sailboat, and understand and respond to directions from instructors must be met by student.


Fees

Five day classes run Monday through Friday, four day classes run Monday through Thursday.

Intro to Sailing (M-F, 3hrs/day) - $295 
 
Intermediate Sailing 1 (M-F, 3hrs/day) - $295
Intermediate Sailing 2 ((M-F, 3hrs/day) - $295 

Racing Clinic (M-F, 3hrs/day) - $295  

Current Membership is not required to enroll - but does give a discount!


Family Membership = Savings!

Lansing Sailing Club Associate (and Full) Members get 30% off Youth Summer Classes!
Enjoy this discount and family fun and learning on the water all season.
Associate Membership - $325


After you apply for Membership, send a message to membership@lansingsailing.org, with subject EXPEDITE MEMBERSHIP FOR YOUTH CLASSES. Then you will be able to receive your discount, and start a year of family fun on the water!



Sign Up For Family Membership

 


Frequently Asked Questions


Can a youth enroll for more than one session?

Yes! - a young sailor can also repeat a class, either reinforcing skills at the same level, or advancing through levels of skill. 

Who can enroll?

Youth going into grades 5-12 may be enrolled. 
Minimum physical and language requirements to operate and move on a sailboat, be comfortable on the water, and understand and respond to directions from instructors must be met by student. Students cannot remain on shore while their class practices on the water. 

Where do we teach?

The program is held at the Lansing Sailing Club and on the waters of Lake Lansing. The Lansing Sailing Club is at 6039 E. Lake Drive, Haslett, MI, on the east side of Lake Lansing.

Instructors and Coaches

Instruction and coaching is provided by and under the direction of US Sailing Certified Instructors. The instructors and coaches enjoy working with youth sailors, love to sail and have years of experience sailing a wide range of sailing craft and usually have extensive sailboat racing experience as well.

Boats

Sunfish, Lasers, 420s, Optis, and Bic O'pens, are sailboats we may employ in our Learn to Sail programs, with afternoon and intermediate level opportunities to sail on 420s, Lightnings, and Wayfarers  for those students who are ready for more challenge.

What to Bring

Here is a checklist of what to wear and bring daily:

    • Type III life jacket - must fit. We highly recommend sailors have their own life jacket fit to them (but the Lansing Sailing Club does have life jackets for those who do not have their own). 
    • Youth sailors should wear submersible clothing (ex: active wear, swimming suits, surf-style clothing,etc)  and expect to get wet in the Lake. No jeans or pants with studded rear pockets. Among other things, we teach youths how to recover from a capsize.
    • Wear closed toed secure footwear with white or non-marking soles (dark soles often leave marks on the boats) - no spongy crocs. NO flip-flops on boats or grounds.
    • Anything from Keens to those $5 water shoes at the drug store work well. 
    • A water bottle.
    • Sunscreen is helpful.
    • Eyeglass holders if the sailor wears glasses (glasses are very easily lost in the lake).
    • Cap clip is helpful if the sailor wears a cap (they only float for a short period of time).
    • Whistle with lanyard is helpful (attach to life jacket).
    • Towel and change of clothing so as to go home in dry clothes.
    • Sailing gloves are strongly recommended, often easily found at West Marine.
    • Remember to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and note that it is always cooler on the water. We sail in light rain and cool weather, but not during thunderstorms - so bring the appropriate rain gear if necessary.
    • Do label bags and belongings with name.
    • Do secure long loose hair down with hair tie and/or hat/cap/buff/etc- long loose hair can get caught in boat parts.
    • Do not bring valuables.
    • Do not wear dangly jewelry. Loose chains etc. easily hook and pull off into the deep of Lake Lansing.
    • Any cell phones brought will remain in child's bags during class.

Wellness Precautions

  • Bringing your child to Class is your attestation of wellness - if your child is ill, please do not attend and do let us know they will be absent.Students, staff and volunteers who know they have a symptomatic contagious disease shall not attend classes. 
  • Ideally sailors have their own life jacket, fit to them - we do have extras (see "what to bring" list)
  • Families are encouraged to provide their sailor with a water bottle and sunscreen. Sun exposure is magnified on the water, and sailors can become burned or dehydrated more quickly than on land.