Kids’ Sailing

Opti 1 & 2 Sailing

The nonprofit Arizona Sailing Foundation is the only school in Arizona teaching kids to sail. We provide Optimist sailboats and US Sailing-certified instructor—and maximum fun.

The current class dates, all Sunday afternoons: February 3, 24, March 3, 10, 17 and possible weather make-up date, March 24.

Presley and Page: new Opti friends. Photo: Scott Kappel

A Kids’ Introduction to Sailing: Focus is on learning the basics—parts of the boat, making the boat go, safety on the water. Short on-shore sessions followed by sailing in the Optimist. And to have fun doing it! Total time is two hours, including rigging. The goal in Opti 1 is to learn how to sail around a course (floating marks), to sail comfortably in wind up to 15 mph, and to understand safety techniques. Once the kids have these skills, they’ll be ready to move up to Opti 2, which provides more advanced instruction on boat balance and speed, as well as general sailing skills practice.

About the class: Optimist boats will be provided by ASF. The teacher is a US Sailing Certified Small Boat Instructor. The class is for kids 8-12 and no experience is required. Class size is limited to 10.

You’ll need to provide your own PFD (life jacket). Everyone will take a very simple swim test in the lake at the start of class to make sure they’re comfortable in the water.

Cost for Opti 1 or Opti 2 is $210/student.

Opti One: Sunday afternoons 1-3 pm at Tempe Town Lake marina. Five class dates. Maximum class size = ten. Students provide their own PFDs.

Opti Two: Sunday afternoons 3:30-5:30 pm at Tempe Town Lake marina. Five class dates. Maximum class size = ten. Students provide their own PFDs.

Here’s a cool video showing how one girl sails in an Opti program at her club.

Head Instructor: Natalie Harper

Getting to Tempe Town Lake

And remember, AYC Members may be able to receive a $50 scholarship for a child to attend an ASF Junior class. Fill out this form, attach a written paragraph or drawing and return it to the AYC Commodore for consideration. Like to see a successful application? Here’s a great one from 2012 by Isabel Love and from Ryan Zornik in 2017.