Bellingham was recently voted one of the five best places in the U.S. to sail by Sailing World magazine. Does your child or grandchild know how to sail?
Overview
The Bellingham Yacht Club (BYC) offers youth sailing classes as a non-profit and self-supported community boating program. The BYC’s youth sailing program provides kids ages of 9 -18 the opportunity to learn sailing on Bellingham Bay from U.S. Sailing certified instructors. Membership in the BYC is not required to participate in the BYC’s youth sailing classes.
Each BYC youth sailing class session is held Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and features low student to instructor ratios. Sessions can be combined to create multi-week learning experiences. The cost for a single-session enrollment is $169 plus a $20 non-refundable enrollment fee. The enrollment fee covers instruction, boat usage and materials. Students enrolled in BYC youth sailing classes must demonstrate basic swimming ability to class instructors.
Additional Information
Classes are open to anyone with an interest in having fun and learning to sail. Class enrollment includes access to an Optimist, Byte or Laser Olympic class sailing dinghy matched to each participants skill level. Class size is limited to 12 -15 students with 2 instructors for safety and supervision. Each student receives a US Sailing small boat sailor skill book. Students can track their progress as their sailing skills and abilities develop. Students completing the entire US Sailing training program receive a certification recognized world wide for access to US Sailing sponsored training programs, boat rentals and regattas.
For an additional $50 fee, students can join the Bellingham Yacht Club as junior members. Junior BYC membership provides students access to year-round youth activities including family game and video nights at the BYC, regattas, and Tuesday night sailboat races on Bellingham Bay.
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!
Want to stay informed?
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Questions?
Contact Katie Stackpole, BYC Sailing Instruction Manager, at (425) 346-8110, or Steve Kersey, BYC Youth Fleet Captain, at (360) 671-7275, email kevets1@earthlink.net
Sailing Lessons
Summer of 2010
Student Requirements
No sailing experience is required for the Basic Sailing classes! Students must be able to swim 100 yards and float for 5 minutes without flotation aids. Students must supply a Type III flotation jacket for use during class. For comfort students should have a lightweight wet suit or spray suit.
Early registration is recommended! Classes are subject to change due to weather conditions or other conditions. Class registration closes the Thursday before the class at 5:00 p.m.
2010 Class Registration is HERE
(Note: We are in the process of changing our online registration payment method. Until this process is complete, please print the PDF file, fill it out and mail it to the address listed on the form.)
Basic Sailing Class (Course Description)
(Limit 12 students per class)
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Basic Sailing Course
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Dates
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Times
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| Session 1 | June 28 - July 2 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
| Session 2 | July 5 - 9 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
| Session 3 | July 26 - 30 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
| Session 4 | August 16 - 20 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
Intermediate Sailing Class (Course Description)
(Limit 15 students per class)
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Intermediate Sailing Course
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Dates
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Times
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| Session 1 | July 12 - 16 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
| Session 2 | August 2 - 6 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
| Session 3 | August 23 - 27 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
Advanced Sailing Class (Course Description)
(Limit 15 students per class)
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Advanced Sailing Course
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Dates
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Times
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| Session 1 | July 19 - 23 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
| Session 2 | August 9 - 13 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
| Session 3 | August 30 – September 3 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
New This Year!!
Bellingham Bay Dinghy Racing Clinic (Course Description)
(Limit 12 students)
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Dates
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Times
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| Session 1 | June 21 - 25 | M-F, 9 am to 4 pm |
Course Descriptions
Students receive instruction in introductory skills applicable towards US Sailing certification. Students successfully completing basic sailing should be able to sail a basic sailboat in fairweather conditions with proper supervision. Basic sailing can be repeated by students wanting to refine their sailing skills. Instructors work with each student to provide continuing skill advancement towards the US Sailing small boat sailing certification. The emphasis is on fun, safety, and on-the-water experience as we learn sailing terminology, theory, rules of the road, and boat-handling skills. Students will become confident in sailing their boat, in light wind and will receive an introduction to Olympic Class racing. Focus will be on the skills listed in parts 1 and 2 of the course outline, with introduction to the material in parts 3 and 4.
Prerequisites: Ability to swim 100 yards and float for 5 minutes without flotation aids. Students will be required to demonstrate this ability at the start of the course. No previous sailing experience is required. All basic skills will be taught during this course.
What to Bring:
Life Jackets are required at all times in the boats. The Youth Sailing Club can provide one, but students will appreciate having a properly-fitted sailing vest of their own.
Wetsuits are highly recommended and may be required depending upon the weather at the sole discretion of the sailing coach.. See the Wet Wind Chill Chart for suggestions on how to dress for dinghy sailing.
Bring lunch and a quart water bottle. Sunscreen, lip balm, a hat, sailing gloves and sunglasses are highly recommended.
Intermediate Small Boat Sailing Course – 30 course hours - Price: $169
Intermediate Sailing course improves the understanding of sailing theory, sail trim, boating safety, racing rules and strategy. Students will continue to gain on-the-water experience and complete US Sailing certification skills. Students will learn to race Optimist, Byte, or Laser Olympic class boats and find out how to race in regional Olympic class regattas. The course is open to students who have completed a basic sailing course, have a US Sailing certificate, or demonstrate comparable sailing experience in an Optimist, Byte, or Laser. We will focus on the skills listed in parts 3 and 4 of the course outline.
Prerequisites:Completion of a basic sailng course, or comparable sailing experience. Ability to swim 100 yards and float for 5 minutes without floatation aids. Students will be required to demonstrate this ability at the start of the course.
What to Bring:
Life Jackets are required at all times in the boats. The Youth Sailing Club can provide one, but students will appreciate having a properly-fitted sailing vest of their own.
Wetsuits are highly recommended and may be required depending upon the weather at the sole discretion of the sailing coach.. See the Wet Wind Chill Chart for suggestions on how to dress for dinghy sailing.
Bring lunch and a quart water bottle. Sunscreen, lip balm, a hat, sailing gloves and sunglasses are highly recommended.
Advanced Small Boat Sailing Course – 30 course hours - Price: $169
The Advanced Sailing course is a hands-on class focusing on further increasing the student’s sailing abilities while preparing them for high school and collegiate team level sailboat racing. The course is open to students who have completed an intermediate sailing course, have a US Sailing certificate, or demonstrate comparable sailing experience in an Optimist, Byte or Laser. We will focus on elements of sailboat racing including racing rules, strategy, starting tactics, mark roundings and improved boat performance including sail trim and kinetics.
Prerequisites:Completion of an intermediate sailng course, or comparable sailing experience. Ability to swim 100 yards and float for 5 minutes without floatation aids. Students will be required to demonstrate this ability at the start of the course.
What to Bring:
Life Jackets are required at all times in the boats. The Youth Sailing Club can provide one, but students will appreciate having a properly-fitted sailing vest of their own.
Wetsuits are highly recommended and may be required depending upon the weather at the sole discretion of the sailing coach.. See the Wet Wind Chill Chart for suggestions on how to dress for dinghy sailing.
Bring lunch and a quart water bottle. Sunscreen, lip balm, a hat, sailing gloves and sunglasses are highly recommended.
New! Bellingham Bay Dinghy Racing Clinic
New for this year!! The Bellingham Bay Dinghy Racing Clinic is a hands-on class focusing on further increasing the student’s sailing abilities. The course is open to returning students and members of the Whatcom Community High School Sailing Team who possess intermediate level sailing skills. We will focus on elements of sailboat racing including racing rules, strategy, starting tactics, mark roundings and improved boat performance including sail trim and kinetics.
Prerequisites:Completion of an intermediate sailng course, or comparable sailing experience. Ability to swim 100 yards and float for 5 minutes without floatation aids. Students will be required to demonstrate this ability at the start of the course.
What to Bring:
Life Jackets are required at all times in the boats. The Youth Sailing Club can provide one, but students will appreciate having a properly-fitted sailing vest of their own.
Wetsuits are highly recommended and may be required depending upon the weather at the sole discretion of the sailing coach. See the Wet Wind Chill Chart for suggestions on how to dress for dinghy sailing.
Bring lunch and a quart water bottle. Sunscreen, lip balm, a hat, sailing gloves and sunglasses are highly recommended.
Download our PDF brochure here