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YOUTH SAILING LESSONS 2025
June 23-Aug 21
Please sign up for lessons at the Ultra Camp Page: Ultra Camp
For the past 25 years Orcas youth ages 8-15 have been introduced to the sport of sailing through this popular program. The program focuses on teaching sailing skills in a safe, fun environment. With a variety of boats including Optimist Prams, Bics, Lasers and V-15s the program can accommodate beginners and experienced sailors anxious to expand their skills. The venue is the protected waters of West Sound on Orcas Island. This is a great place for the kids because there is little boat traffic and the waves and chop are minimal.
Instruction
Sail Orcas is very pleased to announce that all our lead instructors have professional US Sailing Certification.
US Sailing Instructor Certification
What We Offer
We offer youth sailing classes for ages 5 and up from late June through the end of August here in West Sound. For ages 5 to 7, we have a Fun on the Water, for 8 and up we teach beginner lessons, and once kids have had a few weeks of beginner classes and are feeling comfortable in the boat, we offer intermediate and advanced options. We also have youth racing options for those sailors who want to sail competitively.
Class Descriptions
- Fun on the Water: This is a class for kids ages 5 to 7 who want to hang out at the beach, learn about boats and sea creatures, and get comfortable being on the water. Giving kids this early experience with boats as something fun makes the transition to a Learn to Sail class much easier and less daunting. While this class is a great way to get kids ready for Learn to Sail, it is not a substitute for taking the beginner class.
- Learn to Sail (Beginner): The first step in learning how to sail, this class is mostly done in Optimist Sailboats (the little ones with colorful square sails). If your sailor hasn’t taken a sailing class in a dingy before, this is where you want to begin. This is for ages seven and up.
- Learn to Sail (Intermediate): Taking the next step in improving your sailor's knowledge, this class introduces kids to faster boats and double-handed sailing. We use O’pen Bics, Laser 4.7s, and V15s. The typical student has taken two or three weeks of sailing classes at a minimum, and can comfortably operate an Optimist sailboat on their own.
- Learn to Sail (Advanced): This takes kids from Learn to Sail, to Learn to Race. The class primarily uses Lasers and FJs to teach kids the fundamentals of racing. We inform sailors about all the racing opinions and opportunities available to them in the near future as we go over how a racecourse works and work on advanced boat handling skills.
What to Expect
Our morning sessions are from 9am to 12pm and our afternoon session is from 1pm to 4pm. Unless you have specific permission from the head instructor, only sign up for a morning or afternoon session, not both. Instructors need that hour to get boats and gear switched out for the next class and prepare for the afternoon.
A well prepared sailor has their own towel, water compatible shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, a dry change of clothes, water, and snacks ready to go. Sailors are welcome to bring their own life jacket however, it must be coast guard approved and appropriate for the child's size and age. We have plenty of wetsuits and life jackets to use for no cost.
Learn More About Sail Orcas
We are a volunteer-run, non-profit foundation that exists to share the joy of sailing. In addition to providing adult and youth lessons, we offer affordable boat access to members, and sponsor and lead the Sail Orcas successful racing team that competes at a regional and national level.