Learn to Sail

The North Shore Yacht Club offers a seven-week Adult Learn-to-Sail Course for beginners and returning students using single-handed dinghies. Classes begin in early June with a maximum class size of 12 students per class. Classes meet 9 until noon Saturday and Sunday mornings. Students choose either Saturday or Sunday sessions, with no classes on the July 4th weekend.

Students learn the fundamentals of rigging and sailing using club-owned dinghy sailboats taught by US Sailing certified instructors and experienced NSYC volunteers. This course is intended for adults. Participation of high school age students is at the discretion of the instructor. Any minor student must have an adult from the same household participating.

Prior to the first class, students are required to complete a brief self-guided online course.

The first in-person class is at a local swimming pool where students demonstrate the ability to tread water for two minutes and swim 50 yards. Basic safety skills including righting a capsized sailboat are practiced in the pool. All other classes are held at the Park Ave Boating Facility in Highland Park on Lake Michigan.

Dinghy sailing is a physically demanding sport, especially given the various weather conditions on the lake. At the end of the 7-week program, an assessment will determine if students have sufficient skills to qualify for use of club boats, or if further instructor supervision is needed.

We practice safe boating by using the "buddy system" where no one sails alone, and require boaters to wear a secured Coast Guard-approved life jacket/personal flotation device (PFD) on the water at all times.

Students must first join NSYC with a Full Membership, and then register for the NSYC Adult Learn-to-Sail Program. All Membership registration information can be found on our Membership page along with important General Club Guidelines.