Sailing Level 1 Half Day Program

Event Information: Sailing Level 1 Half Day Program (Beginner Half-Day Program) 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 gybing and recovery from capsize. In addition, students learn knots, boat parts and basic sail trim. The Badger Tech, RS Zest, and Badger Sloop are the main boats used for this class. 

Location: This camp will be based out of the Hoofer Sailing Club at the Memorial Union - 800 Langdon Street, Madison WI 53706. On-land portions of the camp will be held either on the lakefront or in Memorial Union. On-water activities will occur on Lake Mendota. Parents/Guardians/Legal Custodians will be notified if any offsite activities will occur (e.g. some courses occasionally make visits by boat to James Madison Park). 

Timing: Students should arrive about 10 minutes prior to the listed event start time on the first day of the session, and on time for the rest of the days thereafter. Program participants should not arrive more than 10 minutes prior to the start time, and should be picked up promptly at the end of the day.

Prerequisites: Participants must be 10-17 year of age and be comfortable being in and around water. A Parent/Guardian/Legal Custodian must be a UW-Madison Student or a Wisconsin Union Member. Purchase of a membership to the Hoofer Sailing Club is not required for registration.

Covid-Related Information: Masks are no longer required in University of Wisconsin buildings, and Hoofer Youth Program activities take place primarily outside; program participants will not be required to wear masks, but are welcome to do so if they choose. Parents are asked to keep their children home if they are feeling unwell, and report a positive Covid test if one occurs. Other program participants will be notified for contact tracing and quarantine purposes, but in the interest of privacy, names will not be shared. Program participants are encouraged to be vaccinated if they are able to do so.

Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups: Campers should be dropped off in the turn-around circle at the North end of Park Street, next to the theater wing of Memorial Union. A Hoofer Youth Program staff person will be there to meet campers. Campers must be checked in and out at the start and end of each day by a parent/guardian/legal custodian. If camp participants will arrive on their own (by bike, bus, etc.), a signed note must be provided expressing permission for them to do so.