Learn the basics of sailing a small sailboat, and prepare for LSC Certification.
Class runs 9am-3pm, gate opens at 8:45, and cost is $225 (includes Associate Membership) for non-members, free for current members. An additional family member in your immediate household may be added for $100.
We will meet for several successive Saturday sessions - July 9, 16, 30, August 6 - and some assorted weekday practice nights will be scheduled by survey of the class. If you cannot make the first class day, no worries - much is repeated the second class day.
Intro to Sailing is for those who are new to sailing, or need to review the basics - rigging and basic boat-handling, and basic rules of the road, and safety. We will be training to the LSC Level 1 Certification checklist.
Sailing/Racing Clinic (usually offered in mid-August) is for current LSC Racers/Sailors, and current students - to fine tune your boat control and go-fast know how.
Program Run on Lake Lansing
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.
Boats
This program typically uses Club owned sailboats - either a Sunfish, Laser, Wayfarer, or Lightning. However, our skipper-mentors sometimes use their own boat, and if the "learn to sail" participant owns their own boat, that boat can also be used for instruction. This year we are emphasizing single-handed boats to start.
What to Bring
Here is a checklist of what to wear and bring:
- Wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather conditions - and for getting wet. Pants without metal zippers or details on the seat or back of legs (can scratch deck), preferably non-cotton.
- Lightnings and Wayfarers are dryer boats, but you can still get splashed. When using Sunfish and Lasers, launching requires wading in water up to approximately 36" deep. Also, capsize recovery is an important component of Sunfish and Laser sailing, so you will get wet.
- Wear non-slip boat, water, or tennis shoes with white soles to wear (dark soles leave marks on the boats). No flip-flops or spongy crocs - secure footing on the boats is important. Keens or even the cheap water shoes from the drug store work well.
- A life jacket. Note: LSC has life jackets you can wear, but your personal life jacket is usually most comfortable.
- A change of clothing so you can go home in dry clothes in the event of rain or possible capsize drill.
- Sailing gloves are strongly recommended (Click Here for more info), golf, batting, hardware or garden gloves etc can substitute if one wants to hold off on buying. West Marine has a nice selection of sailing gloves rightfnow.
- Optional, but recommended: A hat and sunglasses (polarized best for seeing wind on water), sunblock, water bottle. If you have long hair - secure it so that it does not get caught and pulled by moving boat parts.
Additional Information
To get more information by contacting our Adult Learn to Sail Director. Click Here to send a message.
Cost
There is no cost for the first seat for those already members of the Lansing Sailing Club, for the first individual class enrollment in Intro to Sailing Level 1. Additional enrollments in Level 1 are $100.
To non-members, the cost is $225 Intro to Sailing Level 1, which includes Associate Membership, and an additional $100 per additional family member enrollment. Associate Membership is for the balance of the sailing season.
This membership gives the participants an opportunity to practice their sailing using Club owned boats during scheduled practices, and at-will after Certification, in winds under 11mph. The included Associate Membership also includes participation in other Club activities such as moonlight sails and holiday picnics.
The Small Boat Sailing/Racing Clinic is often scheduled for August.
Certification
As part of the Adult Sailing Program, the sailors work toward earning Sailing Certificates. Holding a Level 1 Certificate and the Certificate for the type of Club Sailboat the person wants to sail entitles the individual to use that Club Boat. For example, if the individual wants to sail a Club Lightning, they would need to have both the Sailing 1 Certificate and the Lightning Certificate.These certificates are not difficult to earn, and they give both the Club and the individual confidence in using the sailboat.
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Sailing - Level 1
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Shows that the sailor has learned the basics of sailing necessary to sail in a light wind (up to about 8 mph), including the safety position, getting out of irons, leaving a launch area, returning to a launch area, sailing to upwind or downwind destinations, tacking, gybing, recovering from a capsize, and how to tie important knots.
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Sailing - Level 2
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Shows that the sailor has learned the basics of sailing necessary to sail in a gentle breeze (up to about 12 mph). It builds on the skills for Sailing Level 1 that are necessary for sailing in a higher wind condition.
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Sunfish Sailing
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Shows that the sailor knows how to rig, launch, derig and put away a Club Sunfish and related equipment. Pre-requisite: Sailing-Level 1
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Laser Sailing
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Shows that the sailor knows how to rig, launch, derig and put away a Club Laser and related equipment. Pre-requisite: Sailing-Level 1
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Lightning Sailing
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Shows that the sailor knows how to rig, launch, derig and put away a Club Lightning and related equipment. Pre-requisite: Sailing-Level 1
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