Shawnee Yacht Club
5 Ways to Learn to Sail
 
  1. Young men and women ages 14 to 21 can learn to sail and compete in races by joining the Tom Gregg Ship, a Boy Scout Venture group. Click here for more information on this program.
     
  2. Shawnee County Parks and Recreation schedules introductory sailing classes at least once a year, usually in the Spring. The classes are listed in their quarterly program brochure. They sign people up and collect the $50 fee, which includes a Shawnee Yacht Club associate membership. Experienced Shawnee Yacht Club members conduct the classes. Typically the class is either 2 Saturday mornings or 4 weekday evenings. Half the time is spent discussing the various topics in a learn-to-sail book and the other half is spent on the water in a sailboat where a skipper demonstrates and the student tries their hand at it. If the student has a sailboat, we can use it, otherwise we use ours. These are centerboard class boats that do capsize on occasion. Lifejackets are provided but the student should be able to swim. On completion the student should be able to rig a boat, launch a boat and make their way around the lake on all points of sail in light to moderate wind.

    The latest Shawnee County Parks and Recreation program brochure is available on their we site at http://www.co.shawnee.ks.us/parksandrec or pick one up at the Administration Office, 3131 SE 29th (east end of the dam), or call them at 785-267-1156 and ask about sailing classes.
     
  3. We will run a class as described above anytime we hear from at least 5 people who want to take it. So let us know if you miss the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation class and we'll add your name to our list. Or find some friends who want to learn to sail and we'll run a class for your group.
     
  4. For a less formal approach, you can come out to the lake for our regular Saturday morning and/or Wednesday evening races and crew on a boat. We'll try to pair you up with a skipper and they'll explain things during the race and give you a chance to try your hand at it before and/or after the race.
     
  5. Private individual sailing lessons can also be arranged for a fee. We'll pair you up with a skipper and you can work out all the arrangements with them.