Registration for Summer 2024 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 $65/hour. You may also schedule private lessons for a group of 2 or 3 students. The cost for a group lesson is $45 per person.

2024 Classes will be held during the following weeks:

To register: Please complete the form below. To ensure your spot in a class, please register no later than ONE WEEK (Tuesday) 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.

Director’s Message…

We are thrilled to offer the following courses for the 2024 summer. 

For our young sailors, we provide a variety of courses to fit their level of ability – from beginner to racer. 

For teens and adults, we offer both private and group lessons based on your availability and will utilize Butterflies and Melges 15s. This will allow us to tailor instruction to your ability while maximizing time spent in the boat.  

Please contact our director, Casey Keller, at contact.tlsailingschool@gmail.com with any questions, or to help find the class that is right for you. 

We can’t wait to see you on the water!

Casey Keller, Director

Class Descriptions

Explorers:
Ages 5-8
Wednesdays and Fridays: 2:00pm-3:00pm 
Cost:  $40/class OR $80/week (must register for both dates)
Weeks this class is offered:  6/18; 6/25; 7/2; 7/9; 7/16; 7/23; 7/30; 8/6

The Explorers class is for our youngest sailors or those who are still getting comfortable in the boat. The one-hour session is designed to introduce sailboats and the joy of sailing in a safe and fun environment where the instructor is either in control of the boat or co-skipping with our young sailors. It all depends on everyone’s comfort level.

Participants are introduced to water safety, basic sailing terminology, parts of the boat, basic sailing maneuvers, and sportsmanship. This class is more dependent on the weather than others so please keep an eye out for cancellations if the winds are too strong.

Sailors should wear closed toed shoes and bring a life jacket. Hats and sunscreen are strongly recommended.

---

Beginner Class / Level 1 (Offering both AM and PM classes)
Tuesday through Friday: AM Class: 9:30am-11:00am // PM Class: 11:am-12:30pm
Cost: $170/week

Weeks this class is offered: 6/18; 6/25; 7/9; 7/16; 7/23; 7/30; 8/6

The beginner course is designed for young sailors who have no prior experience or those who are still apprehensive about sailing. All instruction will take place in our Optimist boats which are stable and nearly impossible to tip over. 

This introductory course will teach the basic skills needed to be a successful sailor – how to be safe and comfortable around the water, how to rig and de-rig a sailboat, how to care for the boats and equipment, and how to make the boat move. 

Sailors do not need their own boat to participate in this class. 

Sailors should wear closed toed shoes and bring a life jacket. Hats and sunscreen are strongly recommended.

---

Intermediate Class / Level 2
Tuesday and Thursday  9:30am-11:00am
Cost:  $170/week
Weeks this class is offered: 6/27; 7/11; 7/25;  8/8

The intermediate course is designed for those who have basic knowledge of sailing (e.g. completed the introductory course) or slightly older sailors who are very comfortable on the water. 

This course will use our Bic sailboats. These are small boats that are a bit quicker than the Opti and are easy to right should they capsize. 

Sailors will build upon the basics where they get more proficient at sailing upwind/downwind as well as getting an introduction to basic rules of racing and sportsmanship. 

Sailors should wear closed toed shoes and bring a life jacket. Hats and sunscreen are strongly recommended. 

Boats will be provided for this course.

---

Butterfly Race Team 

Ages: 8-16 (Skippers should be at least 10 years old)
Tuesday through Friday:  12:30pm – 2:00pm

Cost:

Skippers: $170/week ALT: $680 for the 6-week program

Crew: $75/week

Dates of class: Jun 24, 2024 to Aug 2, 2024

This program has been designed for sailors who have a working knowledge of how to navigate around buoys and a desire to learn how to race. In addition to rules, the course will focus on boat handling for speed, race strategies, starting tactics, and how to become a faster, more competitive racer. 

For younger sailors who are interested in racing, but are not yet proficient enough to navigate a course, we offer the ability to join the Race Team as a crew member. Crew members will be paired with a skipper and we’d love for the pair of them to build a working relationship throughout the summer, culminating in participating in the Butterfly Nationals together as skipper/crew in the junior fleet at Glen Lake Yacht Club the third week of July. 

The course price includes on-the-water coaching at Butterfly Nationals, but does not include registration or housing costs for the regatta. A determination will be made based on sailor availability as to whether the Race Team also attends the Western Michigan Yachting Association regatta in early August.

Skippers are encouraged to use their own Butterfly if they have one. We do have a limited number of Butterflies available to charter ($300 for the program duration). All Race Team participants will receive Torch Lake Race Team shirts and hats. 

This class will happen regardless of wind conditions. If the wind is quite strong we may elect to take Bics out as they are easier to right should they capsize. 

Sailors should wear closed toed shoes and bring a life jacket. Hats and sunscreen are strongly recommended. 

Scholarships are available for those who require financial assistance.

---

Adult / Teen Lessons

Ages 16 – 106
By appointment only (Mondays all-day, or Wednesday and Fridays 2pm or later)

Cost: $60 per hour
Dates of class: Jun 10, 2024 to Aug 16, 2024

**Please consult with Casey Keller before registering.  Early bird pricing does not apply.**

Private sessions occur in our larger boats – Butterflies or the Melges 15 – depending on what you’re looking to learn.  Our instructors will meet you where you are and find the best use of water time to grow your skills whether that’s gaining the knowledge to sail upwind or learning how to fly the jib/spinnaker as a crewmember. 

This class is perfect for more mature sailors who desire to feel the freedom of sailing or to race on E scows on the weekend.  

Sailors should wear closed toed shoes and bring a life jacket. Hats and sunscreen are strongly recommended.

Week of July 4th Special Schedule

Additional Course Offerings for the 4th of July are To Be Announced… Stay Tuned!

---

Women’s Racing Clinic Boot Camp
July DATE TBA 11:30am-1:30pm 
(Fleet racing to follow on Friday 7/5 at 3:30pm; 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: $65/hour
Group lessons available for 2-3 people: $45/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

---