Port Madison Yacht Club |
Sailing School
Week 1 (June 26-30, 2023) & Week 2 (July 5-7, 2023)
9 AM - 3 PM
Registration starts March 8th at 8 PM
Port Madison Yacht Club Sailing School has been training the next generation of sailors since 1981 with a focus on safety, fun, and structured learning.
What to expect in 2023
We are offering a two-week, 8-day program. Week one will be Skills Week featuring 5 days of instruction growing our young sailor’s knowledge and boat handling skills. Week two will be 3 days of Play Week where our sailors will put their skills into practice in dinghy races, big boat races, and signature Port Madison adventure sailing. Sailing School will cost $350.
Need a boat? Don’t panic, register and we will help you find a rental or boat to borrow. If you or a friend have a boat your student can use fantastic. If not, don’t fret.
We have Optis, Lasers, and V-15s to rent during sail school. We will prioritize club Optis for our Beginner and Intermediate classes. Many of our older students purchase Opti’s from a club member who is aging out of the boat. Once you have registered and indicated that you need a boat the waterfront director will follow up with you to connect you and your student with a boat. PMYC boat rental fee is $100 per boat for both weeks.
Contact sailingschool@portmadisonyc.org if you are looking to sell or lend your Opti, Laser, or V-15.
Find the best class for your Sailor!
Opti Beginner – Ages 8-13 / Maximum Weight 115 lbs.
An introductory program that teaches the basics of sailing in a fun and safe environment. Using interactive lessons, sailing-themed games, and plenty of on-water time, sailors in this program will learn: the parts of the boat, proper rigging, points of sail and safe boat handling. Beginner sailors will become confident sailing around hidden cove while working the mainsheet and tiller.
Opti Intermediate - Ages 8-13 / Maximum Weight 115 lbs.
Opti Intermediate sailors will expand on their fundamental sailing knowledge developing their upwind and downwind boat handling skills, controlling the tiller, mainsheet and their body placement while sailing alone. Sailors in this program will become confident making their way through Hidden Cove and out into Port Madison. Sailors at this level participate in exciting traditions such as trips to Fay Bainbridge Park and/or Suquamish for ice-cream.
Register for Opti Intermediate
Opti Advanced - Ages 10-13 / Maximum Weight 115 lbs.
Sailors in the Opti Advanced program will continue to build experience by working on more advanced tacking and gybing skills and will begin to learn basic racing concepts. Sailors in this program will be ready to participate in local regattas with confidence. Sailors at this level participate in exciting traditions such as trips to Fay Bainbridge Park and/or Suquamish for ice-cream.
Lasers (Single Handed) - Ages 12+ / Minimum Weight 100 lbs.
Sailors will learn to apply their sailing and racing skills to the single-handed laser while working on more advanced tacking and gybing in addition to expanding their racing skills. Sailors at this level participate in exciting traditions such as trips to Fay Bainbridge Park and/or Suquamish for ice-cream.
Register for Lasers (Single Handed)
Vanguard 15s (Double Handed) - Ages 12+ / Minimum Weight 100 lbs.
V-15 expands on the fundamental skills introduced in Opti Advanced and/or Lasers and continues to build sailors’ competence and confidence in boat-handling, seamanship, and sailing theory. Sailors will learn more about the wind and water they are sailing in and the land they are sailing around while continuing to develop their confidence sailing in all conditions. Sailors in this program will participate in exciting traditions such as trips to Fay Bainbridge Park and/or Suquamish for ice-cream.
Register for Vanguard 15s (Double Handed)
Requirements and Forms
The following forms need to be completed and emailed to sailingschoolregistration@portmadisonyc.org prior to participation.
Swim requirements
A Bainbridge Aquatic Center swim license or proof of an equivalent credential from another facility is mandatory. Send an email with a screen shot of the BIAC Swim License name lookup that includes the name and license ID #. BIAC Swim License Name Lookup
If your student does not already have a swim license on file with the aquatic center, they can take the test and obtain one for free. Sign up for BIAC Swim License
PMYC Waivers
PMYC Sailing School Medical Release and Code of Conduct Agreement
PMYC Sailboat Usage Agreement (only if renting a boat)
Parent Volunteer Requirement
Parents are expected to volunteer for at least one day to support the instructors and clubhouse coordinators. Sailing and boating skills are not required. Once you have a sailor signed up, expect a sign-up genius registration form by the beginning of April. This is a fun way to see what the program is all about firsthand and to enjoy time on the water or at the clubhouse.
Have Questions?
Contact sailingschool@portmadisonyc.org
Summer Sail Camps
PMYC does not currently offer summer youth camps at PMYC. Bainbridge Parks is offering summer sailing youth camps. Contact the Bainbridge Parks Dept. at: https://biparks.org/
