learn To sail Program, Spring 2026:

 

The Sailing Foundation will be offering Learn to Sail classes starting March 30th on Mondays and Thursdays after school. We’re also changing our name to Sail San Juan (but we’ll still respond if you call us the SJI Sailing Foundation). 

 
The deets:
 
WHO:
  • Middle and high school students (exceptions are rare, and must be kid driven, not parent driven)
  • Students who live on San Juan Island or go to any school on SJI
  • Students with little or no experience sailing dinghies (we welcome those with lots of keel boat experience)
 
WHAT:
  • On-land and on-water lessons
  • Boats are chosen based on size, strength, experience, interest, preference, bribes to coaches
  • We aim to make racers of you!! Speed in sailing = safety
 
WHEN:
  • Starting Monday 3/30
  • Timetable is on the web here
  • Coach Christiaan can’t be here every single session, so it’s possible we’ll have to cancel some dates if we can’t get a sub, so it’s important you join the WhatsApp group to stay in touch to know when those days are – more on this below
  • Generally arrive at 3:00, leave at 6:00, but because sailing is weather-dependent, we rely on WhatsApp to modify that ON THE DAY. Parents MUST be available THE ENTIRE TIME to get their kids in case of a major change in weather, an injury, or a child who turns into a popsicle. (It happens.) 
 
WHERE:
  • Jackson Beach, at the far end, at the net shed 
  • Thanks to the Port of Friday Harbor for letting us use this for free!!
 
COST: 
  • $200 for the season
  • Financial aid available, just ask
  • Donations welcome, as they make financial aid possible 
  • Lots of gear can be borrowed for free, lots is available used on island and off
  • If you want to be posh, you can buy super expensive stuff too, but it’s not necessary
  • All boats are provided in the cost above
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
  • Register here
  • Read the Safety packet (yes, read this; it’s not boilerplate; it’s actually something we want you to read)
  • Sign the waiver (this is boilerplate)
  • Download WhatsApp if you don’t have it already
  • Join the WhatsApp group as this is essential for knowing when class is cancelled
  • Pay for the class using the Donate link, bringing in a check made out to SJISF, or bringing cash (can wait until you’ve been to first class to see if you like it, BUT you MUST sign waiver to attend first class)
 
BEFORE FIRST CLASS:
  • Do all of the above
  • Be sure the sailor has (in a large ideally waterproof bag):
    • Swimsuit
    • Wet suit (you can borrow one – come to the net shed before first class, during one of the Dev/Varsity sessions, to try them on and take one home)
    • Water shoes (same, but we have very few of these – better to buy them yourself)
    • Waterproof pullover jacket with as few zippers as possible (we don’t have these to lend out)
    • Big, fluffy dry towel
    • Dry clothes to change into
    • High calorie snack
  • Check out our website! 
  • Optional: sunglasses, hat
  • Don’t bring: valuables (not safe for them here), weapons of any kind (even if they’re called “tools”), video games (we’ll be playing our own games), ducks (we’ve got plenty of ducks already). 
 
We are so looking forward to going sailing with all the new sailors!! 
 
– Susan, Jayna, Nige, Ryan, Christiaan, and the rest of the ruffians down at Jackson Beach
When you drive down to drop off the kiddos, please drive slowly, looking out for dogs and kids. Safety Third! 
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