The Grand Rapids Junior Sailing Association, on site at the Grand Rapids Yacht Club on Reeds Lake, offers: 6 one week youth sessions and separate adult sessions meeting once per week for 6 weeks. Students at all levels will experience the thrill of sailing through a variety of games, activities, and informal competitions designed to develop boat handling and safety skills. Class size is limited. The younger students will learn to sail on a nearly indestructible boat Optimist Pram. Older students and Adults will learn on the 12-foot Butterfly, or 420 sailboats are used with experienced sailors. 

Youth Class Descriptions

Intro to Sailing

Beginning Sailors – Children with little to no experience on a sailboat, age 7+. This class is designed to give your child a controlled introduction to the world of sailing with an instructor on board. Learning boat parts, basic knots, nautical terms, and water safety will be the focus. This class will build confidence and security on the water. Students sail in groups of 2-3 per boat with an instructor on board. We encourage signing up for at least two sessions, if not more, depending on instructor evaluation. The next class level will not have an instructor on board. $150

Level 1 – Partner Sailing

Ages 7-14, with some sailing experience. Students will sail with a partner, taking turns steering as they build confidence on an Optimus or Butterfly. No instructor on board, instructors coach from power boats nearby. Focus will be on learning boat parts, points of sail, wind direction, water safety, and how to rig a boat. We encourage signing up for 2 or 3 sessions and moving up once the instructor recommends it. Please note, the Level 2 class is sailing an Opti or Butterfly single-handed, this means students should move up only when they have enough confidence and know-how to sail alone. $300

Level 2 – Single-handed Sailing

Recommended for ages 9+ with instructor approval following the successful completion of Level 1-partner sailing. This class builds on knowledge of boat parts, points of sail, wind direction, and water safety. Learn to rig and sail an Opti or Butterfly independently with confidence. Instructors continue to build on prior knowledge. No instructor on board, one student per sailboat. When the instructor evaluation says your child has mastered the class, usually after 2-3 sessions, please the Learn to Race or 420 classes. $300

Additional Classes available include: Learn to Race, Girls Only Sailing Camp, and 420 Camp, each camp $150. Adult sailing classes also available, $450

2025 Class Schedule

Session 1	Jun 16, 2025	Level 1 – Partner: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Level 2 – Single-handed: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Learn to Race: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm) Intro to Sailing: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm)
Session 2	Jun 23, 2025	Level 1 – Partner: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Level 2 – Single-handed: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Learn to Race: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm) Intro to Sailing: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm)
Session 3	Jun 30, 2025	Level 1 – Partner: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Level 2 – Single-handed: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Learn to Race: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm) Intro to Sailing: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm)
Session 4	Jul 7, 2025	Level 1 – Partner: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Level 2 – Single-handed: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Learn to Race: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm) Girls Camp: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm)
Session 5	Jul 14, 2025	Level 1 – Partner: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Level 2 – Single-handed: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Learn to Race: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm) 420 Camp: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm)
Session 6	Jul 21, 2025	Level 1 – Partner: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Level 2 – Single-handed: Mon – Thurs (9:00am-12:00pm) Learn to Race: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm) 420 Camp: Tue & Thurs (1:00pm-4:00pm)
Adult – Mondays	Jun 16 – July 21	Adult – Beginner: Mon (6:00pm-9:00pm)
Adult – Wednesdays	Jun 18 – July 23	Adult – Intermediate: Wed (5:00pm-8:00pm)

QUESTIONS?

Several factors go into deciding what class is the right fit for your child: age, experience, confidence, and size. If you’d like help navigating the classes, please reach out to someone on the board. We’re happy to talk it through with you! At the end of each session, your child will receive an evaluation and next class recommendation from their instructor. It’ll be good to make note of those for future class sign-ups.