Location

Neenah Rec Park.  We are next to the Boat Launch ramp between the Neenah pool and the water.   However note that Adult classes are held at Riverside Park. 

Sailing Instructors

Each year the Fox Valley Sailing School works very hard to insure we have experienced friendly and mature sailing instructors.   We strive to have our older, returning instructors become US Sailing Certified, meaning that in addition to being excellent sailors, they have completed a four day instructor training course provided by US Sailing professional educators.   US Sailing is the national sailing organization which promotes sailing, provides curriculum and instructor training and selects the US Olympic team. 

Volunteer Instructors

Additional high school age instructors will also be assisting on the shore, in the boat with your kids and on the water in the powerboats.   

Life Jackets!

Students must wear a Coast Guard (USCG) approved Life Jacket at all times on the water. Please reinforce that this is Non-Negotiable (and we never have problems).   Type III Inflatable life jackets (with a rip cord) are not allowed for youth students. 

We prefer that you provide your own life jacket to insure it fits properly and your child takes care of it.  The Fox Valley Sailing School will provide a life jacket if you don't have one or if your child forgets theirs.  There are numerous websites explaining how to check that a life jacket fits properly: 

• http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/lifejackets.htm
• http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/TEACH/buckle.htm

What to bring

Mandatory

• Life Jacket (see above)
• Shoes or sandals with heel straps.  No flip flops!

Recommended

• Sunscreen and Hat
• Sunglasses with strap (croakies)
• Water bottle (with name)
• Shoes with closed toes (except clogs)

Rain or Shine!

If it is raining, classes will be held at the Boys' and Girls' Brigade Building, located at 109 W. Columbian Street in Neenah.  We will have chalkboard instructions, learn knots, sailing activities, games, etc.  There is no refund for rain days. 

On the Water

Students get as much time as possible steering or crewing (trimming the sails) while on the water.  They are not sailed around by an instructor. 

There are always two powerboats operated by Instructors while students are on the water to insure the student's safety. The instructors check the weather radar daily and will cancel sailing if is not safe.  On-the-water sailing is ended immediately if lightning is seen.

Boy Scouts can easily complete Small Boat Sailing merit badge requirements during one of our sessions. Ask an instructor about the requirements and scheduling a counselor. 

The boats

In Beginner Classes the Optimist (Opti) will hold one or two small students.  The Opti is recognized worldwide as the ideal boat to teach beginners because it is safe, easy to handle and fairly indestructible. 

The Club 420 will hold 2-3 students and is bigger and more comfortable for middle school age kids.   Beginners will start with an Instructor on board.  These are easy to handle for Intermediate sailors and are used for Teen Racing as well as being used for racing at the collegiate level. 

Capsize (Tipping Over) and Recovery

Sailboats do capsize and in one lesson students are taught how to "right" their boat and crawl back in after capsizing. This is an important part of learning to sail. While younger beginners are sometimes worried about capsizing, the instructors begin the lesson on land and will gently guide any anxious beginner though their first time.  It's not long, however, before students are heard bragging and laughing about how many times they've tipped over.

Racing for skill development

The Fox Valley Sailing School promotes racing for Intermediate and Beginner sailors, not to be "hard core competitive", but to promote boat handling experience and general skill development.   Racing requires you to sail in more difficult directions relative to the wind direction.  This teaches students a lot more than allowing them to coast back and forth across the wind and kids are usually motivated by "a race" to push themselves without realizing it. 

"Fun Regattas" will be held at Neenah, Oshkosh and Ephraim for Opti sailors if you are interested.  There is also competitive youth racing around the region, state and nation and the instructors will be happy to give you more information on that.   Youth racing is on  Thursday nights and parents can usually get a ride on the Race Committee power boat which is the best view on the lake. 

Adult Lessons Available!

Don't let your kids have all the fun.  Adult lessons on held on Mondays or Thursdays evenings and are taught in Flying Scot sailboats from Riverside Park.   Sailing is a great family activity!

"Start Sailing Right" is the textbook used for our curriculum. It's typically not that helpful for youth students, but if you are interested we will sell you a copy at cost. It is authored and approved by US Sailing.