All students who have little to no sailing experience should register for level 1. If your child has some sailing experience but has never sailed with us before please email us here and we will help guide you. If your child has sailed with us in the past and you have forgotten what level they were recommended for please use this document to find the most recent recommendation.

Please arrive between 8:50AM and 9:00AM each morning, and plan to pick up your child by 4:00 each day. (For half-day classes: 9:00AM – 12:00PM or 1:00PM – 4:00PM) Should pick up time present a hardship please let us know. You will be required to check your child in on the first day and check him/her out of the program in the afternoon. We hope you’ll take this as an opportunity to meet our staff and be directly involved in the daily activities in and around the classroom, and on the water!

The official dates vary by year, however, we typically start with the after school program in mid May and finish the season in mid August.

LWSA aims to post the Sailing School schedule no later than February 1st and open Sailing School registration no later than April 1st each year.

At the end of each week of camp, we culminate with a day sail to an island on the lake! Students are encouraged to bring a packed lunch that is easy to transport. To foster community and ensure safety, we pair younger or less experienced students with older, more experienced ones for the sail to the island. Additionally, students may have the opportunity to sail in one of our J80s alongside a Junior Instructor.

All students should bring the following items to class each day, including the first day: Wear a swimsuit and closed toe footwear (no flip-flops). ​ Bring: Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits properly Sunglasses and/or hat Sunscreen 15+ 2-3 water bottles (no glass) Lunch A couple of packaged snacks (e.g. granola bars) that can be passed out on the water Towel Change of clothes or warm clothes, as necessary, such as a sweatshirt and sweatpants. A note indicating any current medications and dosages (not previously indicated on the medical form) to update the medical records, in the event of an emergency.

We always have tasks for volunteers! Please email us at info@lwsa.org

We sail in the rain so all students should bring a raincoat, however safety is our number one concern, if conditions are unsafe due to high winds, lightning, storms, etc. we not go out on the water. We try not to cancel camp due to weather but some days are too dangerous to sail at all. When this is the case we will notify parents that camp is canceled.

Water safety is the first consideration for all. Students must pass the LWSA swim test prior to participating in any course. These tests will be conducted the first day of each class. Students only have to complete the swim assessment once a summer. For the swim test, students will be required to swim approximately 75 feet wearing a life jacket, to a coach boat with instructor(s). They will then remove the life jacket and tread water for approximately one minute to demonstrate their comfort level in the water. They will then put the life jacket back on and swim back to the starting point. ​

All adults should bring the following items to class each day, including the first day: Closed toe footwear (no flip-flops). ​ Bring: Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits properly. Sunglasses and/or hat. Sunscreen 15+ Water in a squeeze bottle or other unbreakable container (no glass) Snacks Raincoat ​ Please arrive 10 minutes prior to start of class inside the Sailing Center at 25 Davis Road, Gilford .

We sail in the rain so bring a raincoat, however safety is our number one concern, if conditions are unsafe due to high winds, lightning, storms, etc. we will contact you to reschedule your lesson.

Choosing the right level depends on your prior sailing experience and confidence on the water. LWSA offers three Adult Sailing levels—here’s how to decide which is best for you: Level 1 – Beginner Best for: Adults with little or no sailing experience. If you're brand new to sailing or have only sailed a few times, this is the place to start. You'll learn the fundamentals in a small group aboard our stable and comfortable keelboats (J/80 or Sonar). Topics include steering, sail handling, rigging, knots, and basic navigation rules. By the end, you'll be able to sail with some instructor assistance in light to moderate conditions. Level 2 – Intermediate Best for: Those who’ve taken Level 1 or have prior sailing experience but want a refresher. This course builds on Level 1 skills and is ideal if you’re familiar with steering, tacking, jibing, and sail trim—but need more time or confidence. You'll learn anchoring, mooring, and basic motor operation. After this course, you should feel comfortable handling a sailboat with minimal instructor input in most conditions. Level 3 – Advanced Best for: Sailors already confident and independent with all the basics. If you can already rig, steer, trim sails, and handle a boat solo in varying conditions, Level 3 will help you develop advanced skills like spinnaker handling, sail tuning, and powerboat docking. Please contact the Adult Lesson Coordinator if you have not taken previous LWSA classes to confirm this is the right fit. Still unsure? We're happy to help! Contact us at info@lwsa.org to discuss your experience and goals—we’ll help place you in the best course for your skill level.

LWSA is available for private lessons starting June 1st and ending August 15th

We're an active and growing fleet - many Thurday nights we see about 15 boats on the starting line! With this many boats, there's almost always room for visiting crew - just get in touch with our Fleet Captain and let us know you're looking for a ride!

Yes! We often have skippers looking for crew members - either long term or in a pinch. Please contact our Fleet Captain for information on how to get involved - j80fleet1captain@lwsa.org