Programs and Classes
Youth sailing camps are held at the DSSA sailing pier on Park Point throughout the summer from 9am – 4pm starting end of June 2026, see calendar for dates.
Schedule: 2026
2026 Youth Camp Schedule will be available February 2026. Youth Camp Registration will open March 2nd 2026.
Ages and Camps
7-11 or 12-17 depending on the week (see calendar). 14 person maximum per camp week.
We host Novice, Basic, and Advanced sailing camps.
- Beginner camps are for novice and new sailors.
- Basic camps are open to all no matter their skill level.
- Advanced camps are for sailors with prior experience and can sail a dinghy independently.
Tuition:
$340 – Youth Campers also need a DSSA Youth Membership ($45) or be apart of a DSSA Family Membership ($220).
The DSSA offers scolorships for youth camp tuitions through the Scott Anderson Memorial Fund. Contact the Waterfront Director for questions and to apply.
Lesson Material and Activities:
Novice and Basic camps
Sailing knowledge
- Sailboat Parts, Parts of a sail, Identifying wind direction, Points of sail, Tacking and Jibing, proper sail trim, getting out of irons.
Sailing skills
- Rigging and de-rigging sailboats, Sailing knots, Sailing upwind and downwind, Docking sailboats, Capsizing drill, Man Overboard drill, Safety position/Heaving to.
General seamanship skills
- Weather awareness, on water safety, being a defensive driver, independent sailing, sailing with a crew, and right of way boating rules.
Advanced camps
Sailing skills
- In-depth on proper sail trim and shaping sails, back winding sails, sailing in no wind, sailing backwards, reefing and furling sails.
- Communicating with the Duluth Arial Life Bridge and understanding VHF radio calls and channels.
- Navigating the Duluth and Superior entries and sailing on Lake Superior.
Racing
- Racing rules, starting a sailing race, race courses, basic race tactics, rounding race marks.
Spinnakers
- How to rig for a spinnaker set, hosting a dousing spinnakers, jibing with a spinnaker.
What to Bring: Dress for the weather!
- Lunch & Water
- Closed toed shoes (not sandals)
- Swimsuit
- Change of clothes (T-Shirt/Shorts and/or Long sleeve/Pants)
- Warm fleece and/or winter jacket
- Rain gear
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Book
- Snacks (if desired)
- Dress for the weather. It can get cold on the lake, even in August.
- Life jacket if you prefer your own or else you can use ours.
Private lessons with our certified instructors are available to members. Whether you are looking for a 2-hour refresher or a full blown “teach me to sail” course, we are happy to work with you to design individualized lessons. Lessons are scheduled by the hour and are available most days. Since lessons are based on staff availability, it is best to schedule early.
Check out this article about our sailing lessons! Duluth News Tribune arts and Entertainment reporter Jay Gabler comes to the DSSA for his first sailing lesson!
Cost
One Student
$35
Per Hour
Multiple Students
$25
Per Person Per Hour
Types Of Lesson
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- advanced Jib and Mainsail
- Laser lessons
- Keelboat lessons
- Cruise boat lessons
- Racing lessons
- Spinnaker lessons
- Sailing Lake Superior lessons
What To Bring
- Closed toed shoes that can get wet
- Warm clothes
- Sunscreen
- Water
We partner with Northland Adaptive Recreation to provide sailing experiences and lessons for sailors with physical disabilities. We have proper equipment to handle most needs. For more details on Northland Adaptive Recreation contact 218-337-4120 or email infoNAR@mdfoundation.org
Duluth Blind Sailing is a new program that started in 2025. We partner with Lighthouse Center for Vital Living and Twin Cities Blind Sailing Club. Duluth Blind Sailing sails every other Thursday evening during our sailing season. For more information please reach out to the DSSA email.
Friday night youth race clinics are open to all youth interested free of charge! Race Clinic’s will be from 5:30pm-6:30pm topics will be intro to racing sailboats: right of way rules, start sequence/starting a race, basic tactics, rounding racing marks, different racing courses, and more! Youth that have experience sailing lasers are welcome to sign up for the race series that follows the clinic for Fleet A (Advanced) or Fleet B (Beginner). Youth sailors will need a DSSA youth, family, or day membership ($10) to participate on the water. Racing will be from 7pm-9pm. Youth that are interested that don’t have laser experience can take lessons or sign up for DSSA youth camps before the series! This clinic and race series will be hosted by the DSSA along with DYC members. Please contact the DSSA Waterfront Director to sign up for the race series for Fleet A or B.
Friday Night Youth Race Clinic and Laser Series Schedule 2026
Youth Race Schedule will be available April 2026
COMMUNITY SAILING
Our programs are open to community organizations. If you are interested in providing a sailing experience for your youth, adult, or work group, contact us for scheduling and pricing. Reduced rates are available to organizations that serve individuals with financial need.
