Introduction to Racing Skills
This course meets twice a week and is designed to introduce sailors to basic racing knowledge and skills. Sailors will learn:
Racing rules
Starting and buoy roundings
Advanced wind reading knowledge
Basic boat handling
Students must have completed Opti/Butterfly II course to enter along with instructor approval. Sailors will be on Optis or Butterflys. After completion of this course the sailor will have basic racing knowledge and be able to successfully sail around a race course. Instructors build on sailors’ prior knowledge with each session.
Opti & Butterfly Racing Skills
This course meet twice a week course is for sailors that completed intro to racing with instructor approval and are looking to learn more advanced racing tactics. Sailors will learn:
Advanced boat handling skills
Deeper understanding of the rules
Regatta preparation
Sportsmanship and leadership skills
Race course management and tactics
This course is designed for sailors to take their racing to the next level. We have seasoned coaches that are ready to teach top secret tips to make the boat go faster and advance the sailors skills. **5 minute swim test required.
Friday Regatta Race Team
Includes four Friday Regattas; Melges Pro - Ted Keller's Speed Clinic at Butterfly Nationals—on Tuesday morning again this year, or the Green Fleet Opti Regatta; on-the-water coaching on each of the Opti and Butterfly courses; coaching help with boat setup; and Regatta Race team shirts. Race Coaches will attend the Friday Regattas, and sailors will receive a postcard of take-aways from the race coaches after each Friday Regatta. Boat pack-up for the regattas will take place after Racing Skills on Thursday afternoon for the Friday Regattas.
*For racers who are able to attend only one or two regattas, individual regattas are $75 each. Follow the learn more link below to sign up.
Some SLJSA Butterflys are available for Charter/rental. Rates vary depending on amount of days chartered.
Racing at SLYC - 2025
Wednesday Series
Free to all SLJSA sailing school students and SLYC sailors that are capable of sailing a boat on their own. Every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 PM on June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 23, & August 6. There will be Butterfly and Opti races. Wednesday races are included in your sailing school registration fee.
Weekend Series
Weekend racing for Opti, Butterfly, Laser, MC, C & E Scow is available for SLYC members. Please visit the SLYC website for more information.
Other Regattas
July 15 - 17, 2025 - Butterfly Nationals will be at the White Lake Yacht Club
July 30 - August 1: WMYA 2025 @ Torch Lake Yacht Club