Adult Sailing

Our Adult Sailing Program offers personalized instruction on Cayuga Lake for everyone—from absolute beginners to experienced sailors. We organize our sessions into skill-specific groups to ensure you learn at the right pace. Whether you want to master the basics or refine advanced techniques, we have the right boat and the right team for you.

Courses 2026

The club is offering seven adult sailing courses in 2026, for members and non-members.  These are group lessons focused on core sailing skills and teamwork. You can choose between the club's Lasers and 420s, or our small keel boats.

Each course is four sessions, Monday to Thursday, from 5:30 to 8:00.  These times may be adjusted because of weather or other considerations.  The dates are:

Week 1: June 29 - July 3
Week 2: July 6 - July 9
Week 3: July 13 - July 16
Week 4: July 20 - July 23
Week 5: July 27 - July 30
Week 6: August 3 - August 6
Week 7: August 10 - August 13

The fee is $300 per course. To sign up for a course, click on the date button. For more information, please contact YouthSailing@IthacaYC.org.

The courses are taught by the Youth Sailing certified instructors in the club's two person 420 sailing dinghies.  They cover the anatomy of a sailboat, how to rig a boat, and various points of sailing both up and downwind.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and provide a chance to enjoy the scenery and breezes of Cayuga Lake.  

Everybody must be a competent swimmer.  Launching a boat involves wading into the water and getting wet, so bring wading shoes and appropriate clothing.

Weekend Adult Sailing Lessons

Several people are interested in adult sailing lessons at the weekend.  If there is sufficient demand we will add extra courses.  For more information please contact YouthSailing@IthacaYC.org.

Private Lessons

Private lessons, for members only, are for one hour with a single student and a certified Youth Sailing instructor.  The cost is $60 for one hour or $200 for four hours.  To request lessons send email to YouthSailing@IthacaYC.org.  When the session(s) have been scheduled, go to the Registration page for payment.

Registration

Racing in the Cayuga Lake Cruising Fleet

There are often opportunities to crew on boats that race in the Cayuga Lake Cruising Fleet. To learn more, send email to cayugalakecruisingfleet@gmail.com.