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Youth Sailing Classes

Summer 2024 NEWS

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Registration is Open!

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Please click for 2024 info on . .

Youth Sailing

After-School Sailing

Adult Lessons

Private Lessons & Outings

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Important COVID Information

 

For the last three seasons, we have worked hard, with great cooperation from our families, to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all of our kids and staff as well. 

 

For 2024 we have COVID policies as follows:

 

Mask wearing will now be optional.  Students may wear masks on keelboats or on land if desired.

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Please click here to see our full 2024 COVID rules and procedures.

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CLICK HERE TO MEET OUR 2023 STAFF

2024 Staff Coming Soon

Including Biographies

New children's book features the LWSA Sailing School !

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READ MORE . . .

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What We Do:

For kids and teens ages 7 – 16, we offer a broad curriculum of hands-on classes for youth of all abilities. Plus: a Racing Club for kids and teens who want to try racing or more independent sailing. 

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2024 Schedule

You can click these links to see this year's courses and schedule. Useful in planning your summer!

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Please note that all dates, classes, and prices are subject to change. Registration opens April 1st.  Contact us with any questions!

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Discounts

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Come Again Discount (For Youth Sailing Only)– Schedule additional sessions for the same attendee and save 15%

(if you schedule multiple sessions at the same time, the 15% discount will be applied automatically; if you schedule an additional session for the same student later, please enter the coupon code "MULTISESSION" to receive your 15% discount)

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​Financial Aid

LWSA financial aid is available to help any student who might otherwise be unable to participate because of an inability to pay. For further information please email us or phone: 603-589-1177. Your request will remain confidential.

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Check Us Out on

NH Chronicle!

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​Some Sailing School Videos

Sails and Smiles 2017

Summer Fun

Sailing School 2015

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Wet, Wild and Fast . . .  watch how some of our instructors spend their spare time!

Fast!

Faster!

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Send a Kid to Sailing School

LWSA will not turn anyone away because of inability to pay.

Your donation of $75 will send a child to sailing school for a day, 

$370 for a week and $555 for two weeks.

Your donation will go directly to our Scholarship Fund

      WE CARE!

We ask that each of our students

does his or her little bit

to help preserve our planet

by bringing only

re-usable water bottles.

Important note regarding advancing to the next level

The LWSA provides sailing at a variety of levels from our beginning, "Level 1" to our most experienced, "Advanced Seamanship." . Our one and two week courses are not designed to be pass/fail. Instead, they involve a checklist of skills a student should display before an instructor will recommend they progress to the next level. This often requires more time than is available in a single session. Therefore, we ask that you wait to sign up for the next level until after receiving the appropriate recommendation at the end of a session. If you would like, you may sign up for multiple of the same level over the course of the summer.  If you feel your child may be ready to advance, please contact us before registering him or her.

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Youth Course Descriptions

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M01: "Mighty Minis" (one week)

Age 7 only; Four-day course, half days (Mon-Thu); Fee: $170  

click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This is an introduction to sailing for 7 year olds with little or no sailing experience. This is a

closely-supervised class designed to help these students feel comfortable in a sailboat, and to learn

to steer the boat and handle sails, and to develop an awareness of safety in and around boats.

Students must be able to swim, and will be expected to pass the swim test described below. 

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101: Level One 8-10 (one week)

Ages 8-10; One-week course, full days (Mon-Fri); Fee: $370

click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This course, for students ages 8 - 10 with little or no sailing experience, is taught in Optimist sailing dinghies. 

Based on age, size and weight, students will either be paired or sail alone. Focus is on introduction to sailing

and safety in and around sailboats.  Students will learn to rig, sail and steer the boat.

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102: Level One 11-16 (two weeks)

Ages 11-16; Two-week course, full days (Mon-Fri) Fee: $555

click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This course is for older students, ages 11-16, with little or no sailing experience. 

While it is similar to the Level One class offered to the younger students (described above), the two-week duration and age of the students will allow them to master more skills by the end of the course. This course is taught in Optimist sailing dinghies, O'pen Bic sailboats and two-person Vanguard 420 sailing dinghies. Focus is on introduction to sailing and safety in and around sailboats. Students will learn to rig, sail and steer the boat.

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102A: Level One 11-16 (one week)

Ages 11-16; One-week course, full days (Mon-Fri) Fee: $370

click for Schedule or Registration  or Email Us a Question

This is a one-week version of the 102 class described above.  It is for older students ages 11-16, with little or no sailing experience. Similar to the Level 1 class offered to the younger students (described above), but with the students' older ages, will allow them to get a feel for sailing, and master more skills by the end of the week - and may excite them to try another class that we offer. This course is taught in Optimist sailing dinghies, Vanguard 420s and O'pen Bic boats. Focus is on introduction to sailing and safety in and around sailboats. Students will learn to rig, sail and steer the boat.

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201: Level Two 8-10 (one week)

Ages 8-10; One-week course, full days (Mon-Fri); Fee: $370
click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This course is for students ages 8-10 who have been recommended for the level two class or have equivalent experience. 

This course is taught in Optimist sailing dinghies and O'pen Bic sailboats and will build upon the skills learned in the Level One class. Students will learn to become more aware of wind and weather, and will focus on more advanced sailing, boat handling, and safety skills, including tacking, jibing and landing a sailboat. Students' skills will be constantly evaluated and at the appropriate time those who are interested will be introduced to advanced concepts and/or competitive racing.

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202: Level Two 11-16 (two weeks)

Ages 11-16; Two-week course, full days (Mon-Fri); Fee: $555
click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This course is for older students, ages 11-16, who have been recommended for the level two class or have equivalent experience. While it is similar to the Level Two class offered to the younger students (described above), the two-week duration and age of the students will allow them to master more skills by the end of the course. 

This course is taught in Optimist sailing dinghies, O'pen Bic sailboats and two-person Vanguard 420 sailing dinghies and will build upon the skills learned in the Level One class. Students will learn to become more aware of wind and weather, and will focus on more advanced sailing, boat handling, and safety skills, including tacking, jibing and landing a sailboat. Students' skills will be constantly evaluated and at the appropriate time those who are interested will be introduced to advanced concepts and/or competitive racing.

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202A: Level Two 11-16 (one week)

Ages 11-16 One-week course, full days (Mon-Fri) Fee: $370

click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This is a one-week version of the 202 class described above.  It is for older students ages 11-16, who have been recommended for the level two class or have equivalent experience. Similar to the Level Two class offered to younger kids, the older audience of this class will allow students to master more skills and explore the fun of sailing at a higher level! The one-week length lets older students give sailing a try and hopefully excite them to explore our other programs! This course will be taught in Optimist sailing dinghies, Vanguard 420 sailing boats, and O'pen Bic boats.

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302: Level Three 13-16 (two weeks)

Ages 13-16; Two-week course, full days (Mon-Fri); Fee: $555
click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This course, taught in Vanguard 420 dinghies and O'pen Bic sailboats, is for older students (ages 13-16) who have been recommended for the level three class or have equivalent experience. 

This two-week class and age of the students will allow them to master more skills by the end of the course. This course will build upon the skills learned in the Level Two class. Students will learn to become more aware of wind and weather, learn to read and follow a chart, how to toss an anchor, and will focus on more advanced sailing, boat handling, and safety skills, including tacking, jibing and landing a sailboat. Students' skills will be constantly evaluated and at the appropriate time those who are interested will be introduced to advanced concepts.

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302A: Level Three 13-16 (one week)

Ages 13-16; One-week course, full days (Mon-Fri); Fee: $370
click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

For those students who can't schedule the two week 302 class.

This course, taught in Vanguard 420 dinghies and O'pen Bic sailboats, is for older students (ages 13-16) who have been recommended for the level three class or have equivalent experience. Younger sailors may be invited on a case by case basis.

This course will build upon the skills learned in the Level Two class. Students will learn to become more aware of wind and weather, learn to read and follow a chart, how to toss an anchor, and will focus on more advanced sailing, boat handling, and safety skills, including tacking, jibing and landing a sailboat. Students' skills will be constantly evaluated and at the appropriate time those who are interested will be introduced to advanced concepts.

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R01:  Opti Racing

Ages 8-12: One week course, full days (Mon-Fri); Fee $370

This course is taught in Optimist sailing dinghies and is open to all who have taken at least one 101 course previously. Students will sail alone and improve skills such as upwind sailing, tacking, and jibing. The course will teach start sequences, course navigation, roll tacks, and basic tactics. Students will have the opportunity to practice their skills against one another in practice races and will receive feedback both on and off the water.

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R02: 420 Racing

Ages 11-16; One week course, full days (Mon-Fri) Fee $370

This course is for students ages 11-16 who are an appropriate size for 420 sailing (generally over 100 lbs with consideration given to lighter sailors demonstrating proficiency). It is taught in Vangaurd 420s and is open to all who have been recommended for level two or higher or for this course specifically. Students will sail in pairs. The course will teach start sequences, course navigation, roll tacks, spinnaker use, trapeze, and tactics and strategy. Students will have the opportunity to practice their skills against one another in practice races and will receive feedback both on and off the water.

 

303: Advanced Seamanship

Ages 13-16; One-week course, full days (Mon-Fri); Fee $370
click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This course is for those students who have completed the Level Three class, or have equivalent experience. Attendees must be approved by the head instructor before registering. Please contact Head Instructor Winni Opel at winni@lwsa.org prior to registering. This class for 13-16 year olds is taught in Vanguard 420's, Sonar or J80 keelboats, and assorted other boats for day trips. The aim of this class is for our most advanced sailors to develop advanced skills and to demonstrate their understanding and ability. The course may include; full day adventures in keel boats, field trip to marine patrol, teaching sailing concepts to younger sailors, learning land and water drills, planning and facilitation of fun Friday and experience rigging, sailing and racing a J80 sailboat.

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601: After-School Sailing

Ages 8-16;  4 sessions over a 2-week period.  Afternoons from 4PM to 7PM;  Fee: $125
click for Schedule or Registration or Email Us a Question

This program was added to give our kids a chance to go sailing before school lets out!  All sailing abilities are welcome;   We will divide attendees up by age and experience.  The objectives and curriculum will be similar to our regular classes, described above.  New students will receive a discount when they later enroll in all-day classes during our regular season.

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R03: LWSA Youth Racing Club

 

Ages 8-18; 9 weeks of Monday Mornings 9am to Noon and Wednesday Afternoons 4:30 to 7:30pm; Fee: $370 for entire summer.

 

This is a fun opportunity for all kids who are level two and higher and have taken at least one racing class!  These  mornings and evenings will include lots of racing, plus drills and training on racing skills and tactics.  Less experienced students will be paired up with more experienced ones to make it fun and productive for all. A good fun way to become better racers, and to hone your skills for regattas.

Youth Classes Schedule 2024

Registration will OPEN on April 1, 2024

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Please note that all dates, classes, and prices are subject to change.

Here are some easy links so you know basic requirementswhat you need to bring to Sailing School, rules of conduct, and our location .

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Contact us with any questions

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Important note regarding advancing to the next level

The LWSA provides sailing at a variety of levels from our beginning, "Level 1" to our most experienced, "Advanced Seamanship." . Our one and two week courses are not designed to be pass/fail. Instead, they involve a checklist of skills a student should display before an instructor will recommend they progress to the next level. This often requires more time than is available in a single session. Therefore, we ask that you wait to sign up for the next level until after receiving the appropriate recommendation at the end of a session. If you would like, you may sign up for multiple of the same level over the course of the summer.  If you feel your child may be ready to advance, please contact us before registering him or her.

Youth Schedule

Here is the SCHEDULE in PDF form

to download or print

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