Welcome to School Sailing

Fall School Sailing will take place in Millers Bay, located in Menominee Park, Oshkosh, WI.  Students are generally dropped off near the gazebo within Menominee Park, at the end of the Irving Street entrance.

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. 

The 2023 season marks their 16th season of providing our “Best Day Ever” Water Sport Adventure to students from various schools and districts throughout northeastern Wisconsin! The Eliasens also teach (or have taught) sailing through the Oshkosh Recreation Department (ORD) and to children from area Boys & Girls Clubs, OASD’s Lighted Schoolhouse Project and the Oshkosh Christine Ann Center, in addition to running sailing at area summer camps. 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 and their volunteer staff are excited to share their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with students!

What if the weather is bad?

Weather is the biggest variable for sailors.  In the event of stormy weather, very high winds, or very little wind, 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 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 Waiver
• Towel (or 2)
• Water bottle full of water/beverage
• 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 students may bring their own if they have them (please label)
• EpiPen if your child is allergic to insect stings

What about safety?

Safety is our top priority! IYSO is the largest school sailing program in North America, teaching over 15,000 novice sailors over the course of 15 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 about watersports as well as teaching. 
• Every adult and child in the water must wear a life jacket (we provide these). No one is allowed on the docks or sand, on a boat, or in the water for any reason without one!
• Instruction is provided using steady catamarans that rarely capsize and forgive mistakes very well (not “tippy”).
• Because th wind is constantly shifting, plans shift with it.  BUT - generally, lessons begin with sailing instruction right in Millers Bay near the Gazebo.  Millers Bay is only 8 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.   
• Safety/rescue boat(s) are operated by skilled safety drivers throughout the entire session, keeping an eye on all participants at all times. 

Additional Activities

Generally, students are divided in half (or by class), with one half participating in sailing and the other half  working on a sailing themed art project with staff from the Fire Escape.  Halfway through the session, the groups switch, so that all students sail and all students create the art project.  If you have concerns, please check with your child's classroom teacher!