Opti in the Pool
Sailing with Friends
Lifejackets Required
Sailing on Lake Erie!
2026 REGISTRATION Coming Soon
S.O.S. stands for Start Opti Sailing. Our evening class is ideal for children ages 5 to 10 who new to sailing and are not ready for full camp days.
We start them out with an Opti in the pool! Our young sailors test their lifejacket swimming in the pool, and learn how to steer and capsize the Opti while in the safety of the pool. Each week we gradually add basic skills, from steering to understanding basic concepts of wind direction. We work our way to putting up a sail and go sailing with a friend or solo. All along the way we have a lot of fun and make new friends! Parents are encouraged to stick around and watch.
Classes are held over 5 weeknight evenings from 5p-7p. If we expect weather issues, we will make a call by 3:00 p.m. Bring a lifejacket, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
Start Opti Sailing schedule: Depending on weather conditions, we may switch the order of activities or reschedule.
5 – 5:15 pm Welcome, Roll call & Rules
5:15 – 6:30 pm Classroom lesson, On Land lesson, On Water practice
6:30 – 7 pm De-rig, Pack up, Treat
Start Opti Sailing curriculum:
Session 1: Safety, Life Jackets, Swim test in the pool, Capsizing
Session 2: Sailboat parts, Powerboat parts, Knots, Beach time
Session 3: Skippering, Towing, On water tiller time,
Session 4: Straight line sailing, Follow the leader
Session 5: Points of Sail, Reaching, Rounding Marks
A rain makeup date will be announced.