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Sailing Session Details
FAQs and Stuff You Need to Know
What about Covid-19? Here's our plan to keep you healthy!
What are the sailing sessions like?
International Youth Sailing provides sailing lessons on Hobie Wave catamarans in Millers Bay, located in Menominee Park, Oshkosh, WI.
Unless specified otherwise, each session will contain
- 1/2 hour of basic, Quick-Start sailing instruction
- 1.5 hours of Open Sail, where you get to sail on your own in a contained area under the guidance of our safety staff.
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.
Where do I go for sailing lesson/Open Sail?
In Oshkosh: Public dock near Gazebo located on south end of Miller's Bay, in Menominee Park, Oshkosh (end of Irving Street).
How long do sessions last?
2 Hours
How much does sailing cost?
This year, each session is free! We would appreciate a good will donation or tips for our staff, if that is possible. But it is NOT necessary!
What do I 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! No one participates without one!
- Mask for social distancing during on-shore discussion
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 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," on a certain date, please contact us!
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
- 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.
Do you provide other sailing experiences?
Yes!
- We hope to re-introduce our Open Skiff sailboats for those who become comfortable with sailing the catamarans
- It is our hope to introduce keel boat sailing!
- If you have a sailboat (Sunfish, butterfly, laser, Hobie, etc.) sitting in your yard and you want to sail it again, but you need a bit of guidance, let us know! You are welcome to join our Open Sail sessions in your own boat!
- We can easily adapt our sailing program towards team-building, confidence-boosting, ice-breaking, and private parties for kids (pirates, Moana, etc.) and adults! Contact us to discuss your ideas!