WYC Lessons
Most WYC members had zero sailing experience before joining the club. WYC
offers a wide variety of sailing lessons for our members, from novice to
skipper. We also offer teaching opportunities. If you have questions
about our lessons, lesson program, or need more information about lessons,
please contact the
Vice Commodore (vicecommodore@washingtonyachtclub.org).
Costs
All sailing lessons are free. Sign up for as many as you like.
Prerequisites
You must be a CURRENT member to enroll in a class. If you do not have a current membership, you will be dropped from the class you enroll in.
Unless otherwise noted, all classes are open to all members. No
experience is necessary, we are here to teach you! We supply the boats too.
Some classes do require you to read and be familiar with the
Day
Sailing handbook, that blue book you got with your membership card.
Some classes also require you to pass the Novice Written Test, see below.
A novice single handed or double handed rating requires passing both a
practical (on the water) and written test. Passing the novice written test
is a prerequisite for some classes. You can make
arrangements to take the test at the club office
during office hours, or at the WAC during Ratings Examiner or Chiefs
hours (look for hours posted on the WAC sail locker door). The
written test only covers material in the Day
Sailing handbook, which includes sailing concepts in general and
our specific club rules. More than one experienced sailor has failed the novice
written test the first time because they didn't familiarize themselves with the
club rules before taking the test!
There are many ways to sign up for a WYC sailing lesson:
Online: This is the preferred option. You can sign up below by
clicking on the Enroll link next to a class. You will get a confirmation email.
Email: You can sign up via email by contacting the
Vice Commodore (vicecommodore@washingtonyachtclub.org).
In your email, say what class you want to sign up
for. You will get a confirmation email.
In Person: You can sign up in person at the club office
in HUB SB-24 during regular office hours.
Telephone: You can sign up by leaving a message on the office phone
(206-543-2219) with your name, phone number and the class
that you wish to sign up for. Someone will call you to confirm that you were
able to get into the class of your choice. If you do not get a call to confirm
your choice you may want to show up for your class time, but be prepared to be
asked to sit out if the class is already full.
Boat on the Lawn: This is our big membership and lesson drive, held at the beginning of a quarter. When you see a sailboat parked on the grass in front of the
HUB, it will be staffed by WYC members who can help you join the club, sign
you up for lessons, and answer any questions you have.
What to Bring to Class
Your instructor will tell you what clothing and/or equipment to bring, but
here is a general list:
Weekly dinghy class - change of clothes (a wetsuit or drysuit also
works)
Weekend dinghy class - change of clothes, lunch
Keelboat class - rain jacket and rain pants
For all classes it is recommended to wear warm, non-cotton clothing to sail
in. Again, use this information as a guideline
only, your instructor will tell you what to bring to your particular class.
Where to Go For Class
All classes are taught at the Waterfront Activities Center (WAC) behind husky
stadium. If
you show up on time for your class, and stand around the canoe rental window
looking lost, your instructor will find you.
How to Drop a Class
Email the
Vice Commodore (vicecommodore@washingtonyachtclub.org)
with your wyc number and which class you want to drop.
If you want to sign up for a class,
click on the Enroll link next to a class.
If you have questions about a particular class,
please contact the instructor directly.
If you have questions about classes in general,
please contact our
Vice Commodore.
Dinghy Classes
| WEEKLY LESSONS
|
- These lessons meet once per week.
- You need to plan to attend each lesson to get the most out of the class.
- Contact your instructor directly if you cannot make one of your sessions.
- You should come to class the first week prepared to get wet and go sailing.
- It is helpful if you have read the club's
DaySailing
handbook before your first class.
- It is also helpful if you take the
novice written test
before the first class, but it is not required.
- A novice class teaches both Single Handed and Double Handed novice skills.
- If you know nothing about sailing, these are the classes for you!
|
| |
Day |
Time |
Dates |
Instructor |
Comments |
Enroll in this class |
Tuesdays & Thursdays |
5pm - dusk |
April 15 to 29 |
Evan Abramson
|
Enrolled: 10
Maximum: 7
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Novice SH Class: THIS CLASS MEETS TWICE A WEEK! (Tuesday AND Thursday) Come learn to sail the club's Lasers - fast and fun singlehanded boats! Come prepared with appropriate clothing to get wet (NO COTTON) and a spare change of clothes. If you have a wetsuit, bring it....if not, don't worry about it. PLEASE read the blue book and take the novice written test before class. Come ready to have fun!
|
Enroll in this class |
Thursdays |
4pm - 8pm |
April 17 to May 15 |
Jay Kenney
|
Enrolled: 14
Maximum: 12
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Weekly novice class. Read Daysailor Handbook and attempt novice written test before class begins. Come prepared to get wet, and bring a change of clothes. Wool or polypro is good, but no cotton.
|
Enroll in this class |
Tuesdays |
2pm - 6pm |
April 22 to May 20 |
Sam Wilson
|
Enrolled: 8
Maximum: 7
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Weekly novice class. Read Daysailor Handbook and attempt novice written test before class begins. Come prepared to get wet, and bring a change of clothes. Wool or polypro is good, but no cotton.
|
Enroll in this class |
Mondays |
2:30pm - 6:30pm |
April 21 to May 19 |
Alexia Fischer
|
Enrolled: 10
Maximum: 9
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Novice DH BEGINNER CLASS for students with no prior
sailing experience. Please wear warm, quick-drying clothes (wool, fleece, NO COTTON) and something wind-resistant, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. If you have access to a wetsuit, please bring it (not required). Bring at least one change of clothes and read the blue Daysailor Handbook prior to class. I will e-mail more information a week before class begins.
|
Enroll in this class |
Mondays |
5:30 - 8:30pm |
May 5 to May 26 |
Adrian Johnson
&
Matthew Newlin
|
Enrolled: 11
Maximum: 6
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Intermediate Dinghy Class:
This is for novice sailors interested in perfecting their dinghy sailing skills and learning new ones. We'll sail lasers and a variety of other boats. We'll practice sail and boat trim, sailing around a course, and learn to fly spinnakers, weather permitting. Requirements: dinghy novice rating, suitable clothing.
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| WEEKEND LESSONS
|
- These fast paced lessons meet all day Saturday and all day Sunday on one weekend.
- These classes are best suited for students with
prior sailing or boating experience,
although total beginners who come prepared to learn are always welcome.
- It is required that you read and be familiar with the
DaySailing
handbook before a weekend class.
- It is preferred that you take the
novice written test
prior to attending your weekend lesson.
- You should come to class both days prepared to get wet
and go sailing. Bring a change or two of clothes to each class.
- Since these classes are taught all day long, be sure to
bring a lunch.
|
| |
Day |
Time |
Dates |
Instructor |
Comments |
Enroll in this class |
Saturday & Sunday |
10am - 5pm |
April 12 & 13 |
Kate Bogh
|
Enrolled: 8
Maximum: 8
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Learn to sail on the club's Bravos - very stable dinghies sailed by one person. These classes are intended for people new to sailing or needing a refresher. Read the blue book (daysailing) and attempt the written test before coming to class. NO COTTON is to be worn in class as it conducts heat away from the body quickly when wet; instead wear fleece, wool, or some sythetic.
|
Enroll in this class |
Saturday & Sunday |
10am - dusk |
April 19 & 20 |
Steve Leidel
|
Enrolled: 9
Maximum: 9
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Singlehanded sailing for beginners. Bring a lunch and a change of clothes. NO cotton. Read the blue daysailing handbook. We strongly recommend that you attempt the novice written test before the lesson begins.
|
Enroll in this class |
Saturday & Sunday |
10am - 5pm |
April 19 & 20 |
Peter Colleran
|
Enrolled: 13
Maximum: 10
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Novice DH BEGINNER CLASS for students with no prior
sailing experience. Please wear warm, quick-drying clothes (wool, fleece, NO COTTON) and something wind-resistant, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. If you have access to a wetsuit, please bring it (not required). Bring at least one change of clothes, a lunch/snack for each day, and skim the blue Daysailor Handbook prior to class. I will e-mail more information a week before class begins.
|
Enroll in this class |
Saturday & Sunday |
10am - 5pm |
April 26 & 27 |
Andrew Roberts
|
Enrolled: 18
Maximum: 13
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Novice DH BEGINNER CLASS for students with no prior
sailing experience. Please wear warm, quick-drying clothes (wool, fleece, NO COTTON) and something wind-resistant, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. If you have access to a wetsuit, please bring it (not required). Bring at least one change of clothes, a lunch/snack for each day, and skim the blue Daysailor Handbook prior to class. I will e-mail more information a week before class begins.
|
Enroll in this class |
Saturday & Sunday |
10am - 5pm |
May 10 & 11 |
Craig Harris
|
Enrolled: 17
Maximum: 10
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Novice DH INTENSIVE CLASS for students with prior
sailing experience. Please wear warm, quick-drying clothes (wool, fleece, NO COTTON) and something wind-resistant, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. If you have access to a wetsuit, please bring it (not required). Bring at least one change of clothes, a lunch/snack for each day, and skim the blue Daysailor Handbook prior to class. I will e-mail more information a week before class begins.
|
Enroll in this class |
Saturday & Sunday |
10am - 5pm |
May 17 & 18 |
Roy Ward
|
Enrolled: 12
Maximum: 8
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Novice DH BEGINNER CLASS for students with no prior
sailing experience. Please wear warm, quick-drying clothes (wool, fleece, NO COTTON) and something wind-resistant, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. If you have access to a wetsuit, please bring it (not required). Bring at least one change of clothes, a lunch/snack for each day, and skim the blue Daysailor Handbook prior to class. I will e-mail more information a week before class begins.
|
Enroll in this class |
Saturday & Sunday |
10am - 4pm |
May 31 & June 1 |
Jeff Hughes
|
Enrolled: 11
Maximum: 8
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Novice DH BEGINNER CLASS for students with no prior
sailing experience. Please wear warm, quick-drying clothes (wool, fleece, NO COTTON) and something wind-resistant, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. If you have access to a wetsuit, please bring it (not required). Bring at least one change of clothes, a lunch/snack for each day, and skim the blue Daysailor Handbook prior to class. I will e-mail more information a week before class begins.
|
Enroll in this class |
Saturday & Sunday |
12pm - 7pm |
May 31 and June 1 |
Caglar Akcay
&
Chris Templeton
|
Enrolled: 12
Maximum: 12
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Novice SH BEGINNER CLASS for students with no prior
sailing experience. Please wear warm, quick-drying clothes (wool, fleece, NO COTTON) and something wind-resistant, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. If you have access to a wetsuit, please bring it (not required). Bring at least one change of clothes, a lunch/snack for each day, and skim the blue Daysailor Handbook prior to class. I will e-mail more information a week before class begins.
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Catamaran Classes
| WEEKLY LESSONS
|
| |
Day |
Time |
Dates |
Instructor |
Comments |
Enroll in this class |
Wednesdays |
5:15pm - dusk |
April 16 to May 7 |
John Courter
|
Enrolled: 7
Maximum: 10
Intermediate Catamaran Class. Novice Cat rating *REQUIRED* Come learn the more advanced skills necessary to become a better catamaran sailor! Class may run past May 7.
|
Keelboat Classes
| WEEKLY LESSONS
|
| |
Day |
Time |
Dates |
Instructor |
Comments |
Enroll in this class |
Thursdays |
5:30pm - 9:30pm |
April 17 to June 5 |
Scott Voltz
&
Nathalie Voisin
|
Enrolled: 7
Maximum: 10
For intermediate-level sailors. Eight classes plus a weekend. Covers safety, rigging, docking, anchoring, radio procedures, emergency procedures and more.
See the class web page at: http://staff.washington.edu/svoltz/KB/
|
Enroll in this class |
Sundays |
1:30pm - 5:30pm |
April 20 to June 8 |
Dennis Bogh
&
Bill Smersh
|
Enrolled: 2
Maximum: 8
Learn to sail on the club's keelboats. PREREQUISITE : Dinghy Intermediate rating. This class will instruct students on the intricacies of operating club keelboat systems on the lakes in the area. Students will be required to purchase a textbook (Annapolis book of sailing), charts, and do weekly assignments.
|
Enroll in this class |
Wednesday |
5:30pm - 9:30pm |
May 7 |
Scott Voltz
|
Enrolled: 3
Maximum: 6
Keelboat refresher course: A hands-on, on the water course for sailors with a keelboat novice rating wanting to refresh their skills. It will cover checking out the boats, manuevering around the dock, sail changes/reefing, and any other questions that arise.
|
Enroll in this class |
Sunday |
10:00am - 5:00pm |
May 11th |
Dan Callahan
&
Alexia Fischer
|
Enrolled: 0
Maximum: 6
Keelboat refresher course: A hands-on, on the water course for sailors with a keelboat novice rating wanting to refresh their skills. It will cover checking out the boats, manuevering around the dock, sail changes/reefing, and any other questions that arise. Please bring a lunch.
|
Specialty Classes
| Pay special attention to the class requirements and
prerequisites. If you are uncertain whether you meet the minimum
requirements for a class, check with the individual instructors.
|
| |
Type |
Day |
Time |
Dates |
Instructor |
Comments |
Enroll in this class |
Windsurfing Novice |
Thursdays |
4:30pm - dusk |
April 25 to May 15 |
Josh Rusk
|
Enrolled: 5
Maximum: 6
Ever wanted to learn how to windsurf? Now is your chance! Sailboards skim effortlessly over the water, and can get going pretty fast. Come prepared to fall into the water a lot. Bring a wetsuit if you have one--if you don't, the club has wetsuits you can borrow. Bring lunch both days. Prerequisites: SH and DH novice rating OR 1 intermediate rating, recent sailing experience. Basics will not be reviewed. If unsure, please contact the instructor.
|
Enroll in this class |
Windsurfing Novice |
Saturday & Sunday |
10am - 4pm |
May 24 & 25 |
Sam Wilson
|
Enrolled: 9
Maximum: 5
THIS CLASS IS FULL
Ever wanted to learn how to windsurf? Now is your chance! Sailboards skim effortlessly over the water, and can get going pretty fast. Come prepared to fall into the water a lot. Bring a wetsuit if you have one--if you don't, the club has wetsuits you can borrow. Bring lunch both days. Prerequisites: SH or DH novice rating, recent sailing experience. Basics will not be reviewed. If unsure, please contact the instructor.
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