Overview

The Junior Sailing Program of the Bellingham Yacht Club offers a safe and fun opportunity for young people ages 8-18 to learn to sail. Basic and Intermediate Sailing courses offered each Summer teach the skills needed to safely and confidently handle a sailing dinghy like the Optimist or Byte on the waters of Bellingham Bay. Our coaches are certified Sailing Instructors. Student fees also include an annual membership in the Junior Sailing Club, so the fun doesn't stop when the course is over!

The year-round Junior Sailing Club provides fun activities that are often planned by the Junior members themselves - activities like day sailing, skill-building on-the-water games, field trips, game-night, occasional cruises on bigger boats, as well as participation in the weekly racing series and regional Northwest Youth Racing Circuit regattas, where we race against some of the best young sailors in the country. Strong parent support is what makes the Junior Sailing Club a success.

Why learn to sail?

Sailing is fun! Depending upon your inclination, a day sailing can be anything from a relaxing time out on the water, to a snarling roller-coaster ride that would challenge an Olympic athlete. It's a matter of how far you want to push yourself. Sailing is easy and enjoyable for beginners, but takes a lifetime to master. It's a brain-game: using only the wind, your knowledge and some high-tech equipment, you make your boat go - and go fast! Every day is different. The weather is constantly changing, so the combination of wind, waves and current will always present a new challenge. The more you learn about the factors involved, the more enjoyable the sport becomes. Best of all, when you're sailing, you get to visit some of the most beautiful places on Earth - places that other people only get to see in pictures!