SYC Sailing Program

This is the 88th year of Saugatuck Yacht Club, and our beloved Sailing Program. Where every child who wishes can enroll and learn to sail here on beautiful Kalamazoo Lake, taught by our team of talented, enthusiastic, patient and kind sailing instructors. A child doesn’t need to own a boat, just a desire to hoist a sail and let the wind take them along. The sailing program provides an incredible opportunity to learn transferable skills and responsibility, leadership, gain self-confidence, be part of a team and make lifelong friendships.

We ask for your support to provide this fantastic opportunity to every child who hears the sails calling. These dollars will continue to help fund SYC's investment in children, and sailing. More specifically, we have more Green Fleet and Red, White and Blue Optimist sailors than ever before and our goal is to purchase at least 2 Club Optis to add to our fleet. Items we will be fundraising for include (but are not limited to) fleet repairs, spools of line and sail ties, 4 Opti racing sails, 2 420 tiller extensions, 2 sets of opti blades, opti airbags, dolly wheels, instructor training and scholarships. We want all children to be safe when sailing and our amazing racers to continue with our support.

Saugatuck Yacht Club sailing program has the largest green fleet (beginning racers) in all of Western Michigan and our racing team recently sent (4) sailors to the (US Sailing Area K Qualifier for the 2022 Bemis Doublehanded and Smythe Singlehaded National Junior Championships). It is heartening to consider the legacy our program has created. They’ll represent you in Italy, Macatawa, Chicago, wherever their dreams will take them—some may even sail there. How thankful we are to all of you for bringing the sails to so many!

We return to summer and the water, because as children, summer freed us. Summer made things possible. Grab an opti, wave your flag, catch the wind. Wave to these remarkable young adventurers, whichever dock you’re standing on. Shout out-- SYCSP is the Place to Be! Go Saugatuck!