2023 Sailing School

Registration for Summer 2023 is NOW OPEN!  

Class schedules are subject to change based on staff availability.  TLSS reserves the right to cancel any class that does not have at least 4 students registered.

Before registering, please review our Torch Lake Sailing School Waiver and Release of Liability Form. This form will be required to be completed and signed online as part of the registration process. While not required, you may wish to have your student wear a sailing helmet, which may provide head protection while on the water. If you are interested in acquiring a helmet for your student, they are available at Amazon.com and other online retailers. Search for “watersport helmet” or “sailing helmet”.

Important Dates:

Private lessons will be available starting in June.  To schedule a private lesson, please use our Private Lesson scheduling page. Private lessons are $60/hour. You may also schedule private lessons for a group of 2 or 3 students. The cost for a group lesson is $40 per person.

2023 Classes will be held during the following weeks:

  • Week 1: June 19-23
  • Week 2: June 26-June 30
  • Week 3: July 3-7 (Special Schedule) 
  • Week 4: July 10-13 (No classes on 7/14)
  • Week 5: July 17-21
  • Week 6: July 24-28
  • Week 7: August 1-August 4 ** NO CLASSES **
  • Week 8: August 7-11

NOTE: Week 6 Youth Learn to Sail is full. Please do not register for this class.

To register: Please complete the form below. To ensure your spot in a class, please register no later than the Friday prior to the week of the class. We reserve the right to cancel a class that does not have at least 4 students registered.

NOTE: Payment must be received at the time of registration. We use PayPal to process credit card payment, but you DO NOT need a PayPal account to pay with your credit card. If you are not familiar with using PayPal, please review this short instruction sheet.

IMPORTANT: If you complete the registration form, but do not complete the PayPal payment, your registration is not accepted and your student is not registered for the class. If you complete the registration, with the PayPal payment, you will receive an email confirmation.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: We do not cancel classes for weather, so no refunds will be offered based on weather. If you cancel your registration, you will be refunded your fees, minus the fees charged by PayPal.  This will vary based on the amount of your payment. Any request to cancel your registration in a class must be received before the class registration deadline. Waiting Lists: If a class is full, you will be notified that you have been placed on a waiting list. You can then either sign up for a different class or wait to see if you will be added. We will make every effort to accommodate your requests.

Class Descriptions

Explorers:
Ages 5-8
Fridays  11:30am-12:30pm 
Cost:  $40/class
Dates of class:  6/23; 6/30; 7/7; 7/21; 7/28

The Explorers class is designed to introduce young sailors to sailboats and the joy of sailing in a safe and fun environment.  This class is for our youngest sailors or those who are still getting comfortable in the boat. 

Participants are introduced to water safety, basic sailing terminology, parts of the boat, basic sailing maneuvers, and sportsmanship.    Participants experience sailing with an instructor on the boat (weather permitting).

Youth Learn to Sail Level 1 and 2 (Opti/BIC)
Ages 7-12
Tuesday through Friday 9:30am-11:00am (No class the week of July 4th, Week of July 10, class will be Monday-Thursday)
Cost: $170/week

Weeks this class is offered: 6/27; 7/10; 7/18; 7/25; 8/8

**Instructors will assign sailors to the Level 1 or the Level 2 group based upon experience and mastery of skills. 

Level 1:  Opti
Participants will learn water safety, sailing terminology, parts of boat, etiquette and sportsmanship. Participants will learn to rig and launch; find wind direction; work on steering and sail trim, return to shore and de-rig.  

Level 2: Opti, BIC
Participants who have mastered Level 1 will learn how to sail solo, round marks, and begin to explore racing. 

Teen/Adult Learn to Sail Level 1 and 2 (Butterfly)
Ages 13+ or with instructor permission
Tuesday and Thursday  11:30am-1:30am
Cost:  $150/week
Weeks this class is offered: 6/27; 7/11; 7/18 ; 7/25;  8/8

Instructors will assign sailors to the Level 1 or the Level 2 group based upon experience and mastery of skills. 

Class taught in Butterfly

Level 1:
Participants will learn water safety, sailing terminology, parts of boat, etiquette and sportsmanship. 
Participants will learn to rig and launch; find wind direction;  work the tiller and mainsheet; return and de-rig.  

Level 2:
Participants who have mastered Level 1 will learn sail controls, how to round a mark, and basic to intermediate racing skills.  

Week of July 4th Special Schedule

Ready to Race Youth Mini-Clinic
Age 12+ or with instructor permission
July 5th-7th  9:30am-11am
Cost:  $140

This class is designed to get our youth sailors RACING!  This mini-clinic boot camp is designed for any youth who is comfortable sailing solo in a Butterfly or BIC and who is ready to start racing.  This class is also perfect for sailors who have raced a bit but would like some extra practice with starts, mark roundings, and basic rules to help make racing more fun.  

Women’s Racing Clinic Boot Camp
July 5th-6th 11:30am-1:30pm 
(Fleet racing to follow on Friday 7/7 at 2:30pm; club members who participated in the clinic will receive extra coaching prior to fleet racing, to be published on YC calendar and bulletin board)
Cost:  $90

This class is designed for women who are either new to sailing or those who would like a little kick-start to the racing season.  Introductory sailing will be offered along with an opportunity to learn the basics of racing including starting, mark roundings, safe maneuvering, and basic rules of right-of-way.   

Private Lessons

Schedule private lessons using our new Private Sailing Lesson Form.
Private lesson: $60/hour
Group lessons available for 2-3 people: $40/person

To schedule a private lesson, please submit the Private Sailing Lesson Form.

Private lessons are customized for each registrant.  From gaining confidence in the boat, to understanding racing tactics, we can help you meet your goals. 

Lessons may be given in club Opti, BIC, Butterfly, MC, Melges15
Crew Lessons will be taught on the Melges15