Welcome to School Sailing

Sailing will take place most weekday afternoons in September in Millers Bay, located in Menominee Park, Oshkosh, WI.

Who runs the program?

Steve and Sara Eliasen are founders and directors of International Youth Sailing of Oshkosh (IYSO), a non-profit community recreational sailing program. 

This school year marks our 14th season of providing our “Best Day Ever” Water Sport Adventure to students from various schools and districts throughout northeastern Wisconsin! We also teach sailing through the Oshkosh Rec Department (ORD) and to children from area Boys & Girls Clubs, OASD’s Lighted Schoolhouse Project and the Oshkosh Christine Ann Center. In addition, Steve has served as Program and Development Director with Sail Sheboygan, one of four US Sailing Olympic training centers in the US.   The Eliasens andtheir experienced volunteer staff possess a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to share with students!

What if the weather is bad?

In the event of stormy weather, we will collaborate with teachers to make the decision to curtail or cancel the sailing day; however, we make every effort NOT to do that, and generally try to adjust  events to accommodate the weather. We ask that  students dress according to weather conditions!  For example, If it is cold and damp, students might want to bring a winter jacket, blanket or sleeping bag to wrap up in.

What else do students need to bring?

Students should arrive prepared to be in the water, meaning they should be willing to try deeper water with a life jacket on!  Each student should bring the following: 

• Signed IYSO Waiver (No one participates without one!)
• Sunscreen 
• Swimming suit + Towel (or 2)
• Water bottle full of water/beverage
• 2 Changes 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 students may bring their own if they have them (please label)
• EpiPen if your child is allergic to insect stings
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What about safety?

Safety is our top priority! IYSO is the largest school sailing program in North America, teaching as many as 2400 novice sailors over the course of 14 summers without incident. We maintain our zero-incident safety record by constantly evaluating and updating our gear, safety protocol and practices. Your child will be safe with us because: 

• Our staff is seasoned and knowledgeable not only about their watersports but about teaching, as well. Not only will we keep your child safe, we’ll make sure your child learns how to keep him/herself safe.
• Every adult and child in the water must wear a life jacket (we provide these). No one is allowed in the water for any reason without one!
• We provide steady catamarans that rarely capsize and forgive mistakes very well (not “tippy”).
• Wind is constantly shifting, and we shift our plans with it.  BUT - generally, we begin with sailing instruction right in Millers Bay near the Gazebo.  Millers Bay is only 6 feet deep at its deepest point, and is generally calmer than the lake itself; however, if conditions require us to do so, we will use much smaller sails, so that no one goes too fast for conditions.   Only if/when your students are ready will we head as a class to the north end of the bay for group sailing “follow-the-leader.” 
• Our safety/rescue boat(s) with skilled safety drivers operate throughout the entire session, keeping an eye on all participants at all times.