Youth Summer Lessons
We offer 1-2 week-long full and half day sessions for students. Learn sailing in a summer lesson experience.
Youth Introductory Levels I and II
2-week long, half-day sessions for students ages 8-13 seeking summer adventure! A perfect first or beginner experience with ease of repeatability.
2024 SCHEDULE
Session 1 (Intro I)
6/10/24 – 6/13/24 Mon-Thur
6/17/24 – 6/20/24 Mon-Thur
9:00 AM – 12 PM
Session 2 (Intro II)
6/10/24 – 6/13/24 Mon-Thur
6/17/24 – 6/20/24 Mon-Thur
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Session 3 (Intro I)
6/24/24 – 6/28/24 Mon-Fri
7/1/24 – 7/3/24 Mon-Wed
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session 5 (Intro I)
7/8/24 – 7/11/24 Mon-Thur
7/15/24 – 7/18/24 Mon-Thur
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session 6 (Intro II)
7/8/24 – 7/11/24 Mon-Thur
7/15/24 – 7/18/24 Mon-Thur
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Session 7 (Intro I)
7/22/24 – 7/25/24 Mon-Thur
7/29/24 – 8/1/24 Mon-Thur
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session 9 (Intro II)
8/5/24 – 8/8/24 Mon-Thur
8/12/24 – 8/15/24 Mon-Thur
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Schedule: 2 Week Half Day Sessions, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am – 12 pm or 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Program Fee: $80 for members, $100 non-members, scholarships available
Registration Begins: January 1
Setting Sail: June through August
Who should take this course: Beginner sailors, ages 8-13. Students must be able to swim with the aid of a life jacket and have the physical ability to right a capsized pram.
What will students learn? Our highly trained staff uses the US Sailing instructional system in an open, interactive, and fun environment. Students learn basic sailing and safety skills. Instruction begins with some basic land-based instruction, but students are typically on the water day one. The students will sail the Optimist Pram solo, but the instructors are always nearby in the outboard motor safety boats. This 8-foot boat with a single 35 square foot sail is an ideal youth training boat and is used worldwide for training and racing. Students will learn the basic parts of the sailboat, knot tying, how to rig and de-rig the pram, launching and docking, sailing upwind and downwind, and will practice crew overboard recovery. As the class progresses, additional games and activities are interspersed throughout the sessions to keep the action going and provide a fun group experience.
Intermediate and Advanced Youth Lessons
2-week long, half-day sessions for students ages 8-17 seeking summer adventure! Perfect for students who have graduated from Pram Lesson. Also good for older students with some exposure to sailing.
2024 SCHEDULE TBD
Session 3 (Intermediate)
6/26/23 – 6/29/23 Mon-Thur
7/3/23, 7/5/23 - 7/7/23 Mon, Wed-Fri
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Session 7 (Intermediate)
7/24/23 – 7/27/23 Mon-Thur
7/29/23 – 8/3/23 Mon-Thur
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session 10 (Intermediate/ Advanced)
8/7/23 – 8/10/23 Mon-Thur
8/14/23 – 8/17/23 Mon-Thur
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Schedule: 2 Week Half Day Sessions, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am – 12 pm or 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Program Fee: $125 for members, $150 non-member, scholarships available
Registration Begins: January 1
Setting Sail: June through August
Who should take this course: Pram Lesson graduates and youth 8-17 who are looking for more adventure on bigger boats. Students must be able to swim with the aid of a life jacket and have the physical ability to right a capsized boat.
What will students learn? On a typical day, our US Sailing certified instructors will introduce some new material on the dockside before heading out to spend the majority of the day on the water. Students will learn to sail the RS-Feva, a 12-foot boat designed to be sailed by two people. This boat is easy to rig and a blast to sail. It can be sailed with the main only, main and jib, or the asymmetric spinnaker can be launched for extra fun.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available for those students who cannot afford the lesson fee.
Adult Learn to Sail
4-week long, 2 evenings per week small group sessions for adults with no sailing experience or those with some exposure to sailing seeking to gain skills and knowledge. Students must be at least 16 years old.
2024 SCHEDULE TBD
Session 11 (Adult Intro)
6/3/24 – 6/6/24 Mon & Thur
6/10/24 – 6/13/24 Mon & Thur
6/17/24 – 6/20/24 Mon & Thur
6/24/24 – 6/27/24 Mon & Thur
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Session 12 (Adult Intro)
7/1/24 – 7/3/24 Mon & Wed
7/8/24 – 7/11/24 Mon & Thur
7/15/24 – 7/18/24 Mon & Thur
7/22/24 – 7/25/24 Mon & Thur
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Session 13 (Adult Intro)
7/29/24 – 8/1/24 Mon & Thur
8/5/24 – 8/8/24 Mon & Thur
8/12/24 – 8/15/24 Mon & Thur
8/19/24 – 8/22/24 Mon & Thur
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Schedule: 4 -Week, 2 Hour Sessions, Monday and Thursday, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Program Fee: $200 for members, $250 non-member
Registration Begins: January 1
Setting Sail: June through mid-September
Adult Classes: Offered in our Cape Cod DaySailer 17’s, Adult Classes are a small group experience scheduled in 3-hour class blocks. We structure them for learning basic sailing as well as developing yourself as a sailor and future boat owner.
Private Lessons
If you’ve got an interest or group that doesn’t fit our regular Adult Classes and programming, a private lesson might be for you. Subject to availability and equipment, we’ll do everything we can to get you what you need to learn to sail!
Lessons can be scheduled in our Cape Cod DaySailer 17’s or RS FEVA’s. Students must be at least 16 years old. Group lessons can be arranged with families that can include students of all ages.
To make sure we’ve got you covered, we’ll have to contact you directly to work out the details. SBCSA Membership is required for Private Lessons. Please contact us at 989-778-0139 or info@sbcs.org.
Registration Begins: April
Setting Sail: Late May through August
Schedule: Flexible, subject to availability
Cost: Variable, minimum $30 per hour
Community Sailing Programs
Local youth and non-profit organizations are encouraged to partner with us to curate a custom experience. No matter the organization, we can create access and opportunity for our community.
Registration Begins: Rolling
Setting Sail: Late May through August
Schedule: Flexible (Generally 9:00 am – 4 pm, weekdays
Program Cost: Variable, (no cost to some qualifying institutions)
Contact Executive Director at 989-778-0139 or executive.director@sbcsa.org to discuss a plan for your organization.
Location
Lessons are held on the Saginaw River in downtown Bay City. SBCSA’s on-the-water facilities are located at the foot of Fifth Street at the north end of Wenonah Park, near the schooner Appledore IV.
Lesson Text Book
Most of the material taught in the SBCSA sailing lessons can be found in the book, “Start Sailing Right,” published by the United States Sailing Association. This book is available from any of our instructors or by calling (989) 778-0139 for $10.00 per copy.
Lesson Cancellation
Lessons may be canceled in the event of high winds or threatening weather. If it sprinkles, we sail; in downpours, lightning, and wind over 20 mph, we don’t. After all, sailing is supposed to be fun and safe. Every effort will be made to notify the students as early as possible but many times the instructor can’t make the decision until they arrive at the dock. Any canceled lessons will be rescheduled.
What to Bring
Here is a list of suggested items that you should bring with you to your lesson or when sailing to make your experience more enjoyable.
- Life Jacket (PFD) – Bring your own if you have one, otherwise, SBCSA will provide one for each person. Everyone must wear a life jacket while sailing and when on the floating docks.
- Sunblock – Choose at least SPF 15, preferably the waterproof variety.
- Hat and Sunglasses – You'll need these to protect your eyes and skin.
- Proper clothing – Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move around in and you won’t mind getting wet (from spray). A change of clothing and a towel are always a good idea, just in case. A light jacket may be appropriate if sailing in the evening.
- Footwear – We require footwear to be worn on the docks. Soft-soled sneakers are recommended, but many students get by with sandals. Whatever you choose, plan on them getting wet.
- Drinks – Bring a bottle of water, juice, or sports drink, plastic only.
- Snacks – Feel free to bring a snack if necessary.