Sailing 1

This class focuses on learning the basics of sailing in a fun, positive and safety-conscious environment. Geared toward the total beginner, this class introduces students to identifying wind direction, rigging and launching, sailing a straight course, tacking and jibing around a buoy, and recovery from a capsize. In addition, youth learn knots, parts of a boat, basic sail trim, and are expected to assist others and treat their equipment with respect.

The Badger Tech and the Badger Sloop are the main boats used for this class. The goal is for students to feel comfortable sailing solo and advance their skills enough to move on to Sailing 2.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Sailing 2

Students taking this course should already be comfortable sailing solo. In addition to continuing basic skills (see Sailing 1), students learn more advanced sailing theory, continue to develop skills of launching and landing, sailing in all points of sail with proper sail trim, handling wind shifts and puffs, problem solving, and further developing communication and teamwork skills.

The Badger Tech is used, although students are also introduced to more advanced boats including the 420s and Badger Sloops. Repeating this course is highly recommended as students continue to develop their skills and knowledge with each subsequent session.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Sailing 3

Focus is on developing students' skills to be able to sail on advanced fleets, improve their racing skills, or learning how to effectively teach sailing to others. Students are introduced to flying a spinnaker, roll tacks and jibes, and advanced boat handling skills.

Prerequisites: Students are dedicated sailors at least 13 years old determined to improve their skills on a variety of crafts. Other prerequisites include completion of Sailing 2 and the approval of the Hoofer Youth Program Director.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Sailing Day Camps

Sailing Day Camps focus on having fun on the water while learning the basics of sailing. Total novices are welcome as are those with a prior familiarity with sailing.

Students learn basic sailing theory, rigging and launching, sailing a straight course, tacking and jibing, parts of a boat, and recovery from a capsize. On-land games and activities are geared toward developing a love and appreciation of sailing while learning sailing terminology, safety, knots and other seamanship skills.

The Badger Tech and the Badger Sloop are the primary boats used. Bring lunch money for food at the Union or bring a sack lunch (refrigerator is available) along with a water bottle.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Advanced Sailing 
Day Camps

Students taking this course should already be comfortable sailing solo and have completed either Sailing 1 or Sailing Day Camp.

In addition to continuing basic skills (see Sailing 1), students learn more advanced sailing theory, continue to develop skills of launching and landing, sailing in all points of sail with proper sail trim, handling wind shifts and puffs, problem solving, and further developing communication and teamwork skills.

The Badger Tech is used, although students are also introduced to more advanced boats including the 420s, Badger Sloops and possibly the J22/24 or scows.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Byte Class

The Byte fleet, new in 2010, is perfect for youth ready to expand upon their sailing skills and become a little more independent. Groups of 4-8 sailors will learn how to rig these boats, and with an instructor will continue to improve basic sailing skills including sailing every point of sail with proper sail trim, landing/launching and capsizing, all the while adventuring around the lake with an instructor and controlling the boat by themselves.

Prerequisite: Prior completion of Sailing 1 or Day Camp (or equivalent skills). Enrollment in additional classes is encouraged.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $135
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Hybrid Racing

This exciting new class offers an introduction to the thrills and joys of competitative sailing in a positive and encouraging environment. On staff, nationally ranked, collegiate racers passionate about introduction youth to their hobby wiull guidde students through advanced boathandling, starts, buoy roundings, tactics and racing rules to prepare youth for a mini regatta at the completion of the course. Boats used may include 420s, Bytes, Techs and Sloops

Prerequisite: Prior completion of Sailing 1 or Day Camp (or equivalent skills). Enrollment in additional classes is encouraged.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

J-Boat Racing

For students who have completed Sailing 1 and are interested in a fun fast exposure to both racing and bigger boats, J-Boat Racing is the ideal class. Two groups of 3-4 students accompanied by an experienced instructor will man our J-22s, learn the basics of racing: including starting, buoy roundings, tactics, speed testing, advanced sail trim and sail controls.

Prerequisite: Prior completion of Sailing 1 or Day Camp (or equivalent skills). Enrollment in additional classes is encouraged.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $135
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Introductory Keelboat Sailing

For sailors who have completed Sailing 1 and are looging for a bigger boating experience, look no further than our large keelboats. Students will be introduced to a variety of our 14 22'-36' many-man, large boats. In addition to conued development of launching/landing skills, proper sail trim and problem solving, sailors learn to sail by compass, chart a course and sail across Lake Mendota, find the deepest part of the lake using GPS coordinates and learn the finer aspects of off short sailing, all while having fun working as a team to sail a large keelboat.

Prerequisite: Prior completion of Sailing 1 or Day Camp (or equivalent skills).

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $135
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Windsurfing

This class focuses on fun and the basics of windsurfing including rigging, balance, launching, sailing in a straight line, beginning tacks, upwind sailing, and returning to the pier. All participants should weigh a minimum of 100 pounds and be at least 4' 10".

Repeating this course is recommended, allowing students to continue to develop their skills where they left off and become more self-sufficient with each class. Instruction is personalized according to skill, with advanced students serving as role models for beginners - all students helping others.

Continuing Windsurfing Students further develop skills in tacking, upwind and downwind sailing, use of harnesses and footstraps, using specialized boards and effective communication techniques in convincing parents to help you buy your own equipment for this lifetime sport.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Windsurfing Intro and Intermediate

These one-week classes mirror the beginning windsurfing course and are recommended if youth cannot attend a two-week session. See above for complete description of windsurfing classes.

Prerequisites: None for Intro course. Beginning Windsurfing or Intro required before Intermediate course.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $135
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Advanced Windsurfing

Move beyond the basics of windsurfing to more challenging skills. Participants will become familiar with footstraps, harnesses, and shortboards while learning effective heavy wind techniques and advanced maneuvering.

Students taking this course should already be able to windsurf by themselves, including the ability to sail in all directions.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Open Tech Sailing & Windsurfing

Prerequisites for this class include completing all of the following:

1. Being at least 15 (or outstanding at age 14),
2. Completion of either Sailing 2, Advanced Day Camp, Beginning Racing or multiple Windsurfing classes.
3. Completion of letter of request by student (why I should be given these sailing privileges).
4. Written approval of the Hoofer Youth Program Director based on advanced skills, common sense, and the ability to sail safely without any supervision. Approval must be given every year.

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $245
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.

Students sail independently without any direct supervision. If accepted to Open Sailing or Windsurfing, participants may also request written approval for other activities including adult racing, general club instruction, UW-Madison Sailing Team practice, day sailing beyond youth open sailing hours, and more. Requests for modification of prerequisites and/or approval of additional activities can be submitted to the Hoofer Youth Program Director or Head of Instruction.

Kayaking/Canoeing

Learn basic maneuvers in a kayak and canoe in calm to moderate water, including how to turn on a dime, how to swamp and unswamp your canoe, how to flip your kayak over (and maybe back up), paddling skills (forward stroke, draw, cross-draw, sweep), and kayak wet exit. This is all accomplished with wet fun and games, including an expedition to a distant shore (or at least Picnic Point).

Continuing students further develop stroke skills and kayak controls.

Parents - be prepared for students to come home exhausted every day!

Session Fees
Parent is UW student or Union member-  $135
Parent is faculty/staff or other non-Union member- please see registration page regarding Union membership.