Sailing Sessions

General Information

Our programming is geared for people from the ages of 10 to 100! If you bring a child under the age of 10, you or a designated responsible adult will need to be on the sailboat with the child at all times. For safety's sake, we do not recommend bringing children under the age of 5 to sailing sessions.

To reserve your spots, check out our calendar and sign up here. In order to ensure that we have an accurate number of boats, we need and accurate headcount! If you plan to meet or bring anyone sailing with you, please sign them up as well. If you are a parent signing up your child(ren), please sign up each child using their own name(s) (not just your name).

Unless otherwise specified, all IYSO sailing opportunities begin and end at the Sailboat Dock located across the parking lot from the baseball diamonds in Millers Bay, Menominee Park, Oshkosh. We will text all participants 2 hours prior regarding cancellations, changes, etc. due to weather. If you do not hear from us via text, the session is taking place!

We accept payment at the beginning of each session. Please pay with cash/check. Checks can be made payable to International Youth Sailing of Oshkosh. If the rate is too high, no worries!

Types of Sailing Opportunities

Sailing Basics/Practice Session

Designed for Beginners and for those who have sailed before but need a refresher and time to practice. Class includes 1 and 1/2 to hours of our basic, Quick-Start sailing instruction + guided sailing, during which all participants sail on their own with a group, under the supervision of our Safety Boat staff, in Millers Bay and into Lake Winnebago, if weather conditions permit.

Basics/Practice Session

You are welcome to sign up (after June) or repeat the Basics/Refresher session as many times as you like!

Beyond Basics

This Session is for those who want to take the next step in their sailing confidence! You are welcome to sign up for as many additional Beyond Basics Sessions as you wish. This Session includes 2 solid hours of Open Sailing practice, along with the following additional information and practice: Refining sailing skills, Use of Marine Radio, Righting a Capsized Boat, Person Overboard, Right of Way/Navigation, and The One Knot to Know. Because you need to be familiar with the Basics, you must h

Beyond Basics Session

$12

We offer Sail Sessions in a variety of formats (Youth, Adult, Women's, Family and All Ages) Sign up for those that are right for you! Add a description about this item

Destination/Adventure Sailing Sessions

We are excited to offer some Destination/Adventure sailing this summer! We will sail to some local destinations, as well as to some in Door County! Participants must have taken at least one Basics Session, and one Beyond Basics Session in order to participate in our Adventure/Destination Sessions. The Good News: The Beyond Basics fee ($12) will be deducted from your Destination Sail cost!

Garlic Island

$24

Group leaves from Millers Bay and sails 5 miles north to Garlic Island, about half-way to Neenah and back. Plan for a 4-hour sail.

To Neenah and Return from Neenah

$24 One Way

Group leaves Millers Bay and sails 12 miles north to the harbor at Neenah Rec Park; or, make the return trip the following day!

Practice Sail Session in Door County

$30

Meet us in beautiful Door County (location TBD) and practice sailing in Lake Michigan for 2-hour sessions, under the guidance of our Safety Staff.

Groups

Whether you are interested in booking one session or a series of sessions for a group, please email us to reserve your group's spot on our schedule. We can provide recreational sailing instruction to groups in all sorts of ways, including Families (Family Reunions, Birthday Parties, Etc.) Youth Groups Friend Groups Professional Groups (Team Building and/or Ending Covid Isolation) The possibilities are endless, and we love to encourage the fun stuff! Minimum of 6 - Maximum TBD

Group Session

$12

This is a "per person" rate.

FAQs, Etc.

FAQs and Stuff You Need to Know

Are there requirements?

To participate on your own (without parents, family, guardians, etc.), we require that you
- Be at least 12 years old
- Bring your signed waiver
- If participant is under 18, waiver must be signed by parent or guardian.

What do you need to bring?

You should arrive prepared to be in the water, meaning you should be willing to try deeper water with a life jacket on - even if you don't swim! It is ok to sail even if you do not know how to swim.

You absolutely must bring your signed waiver!

You might also want to bring the following:

Sunscreen
Swimming suit + Towel (or 2)
Water bottle full of water/beverage
Snacks
Change of dry clothes or sweats - even if it’s warm and sunny!
Warm blanket or sleeping bag if it’s chilly
We provide life jackets but you may bring their own if you want (please label)
EpiPen if you are allergic to insect stings

Can I bring my friends and family members?

Yes, as long as everyone is enrolled! Please keep in mind that we can only take 8-10 participants per session. Therefore please check the schedule to make sure that there are enough open spots available! If you wish to book a private "party," or a Group Session, please email Sara at sailoshkosh@gmail.com!

Can I sign my kids up, even if they are under 12, and I won't be sailing?

Yes as long as

your kids are at least 10 (see the sessions for 10- & 11-year-olds)
you will remain for the duration of the lesson.

What about safety?

Here is our page on Safety.

What if there is bad weather?

Also explained on Safety page.