10 Tips to get your sailing program ready for Summer 2025!
1. Certify Your Staff!
Set a high standard of instruction for your sailing program by ensuring your staff have current US Sailing Instructor Certifications. We offer a wide range of opportunities for instructor certification, including Sailing Counselor Courses for summer camps to STEM & Adaptive Courses, to Small Boat, Keelboat, and Powerboat Instructor Certifications. Each course focuses on teaching safety, classroom management, relevant theory & skills, and instruction techniques. Many new staff begin with our most popular course, the Small Boat Level 1 Instructor Certification Course – spots fill quickly so register today!
You can check if an Instructor Certification is valid via the US Sailing Member Lookup and follow the steps for recertification here. Reminder! Instructor Certifications are only valid with a current SafeSport certificate and up-to-date CPR/First Aid Training.
2. Schedule Pre-Season Training
Schedule time with your staff and volunteers to ensure they’re ready for the season. Practice teaching different lessons, review curriculum and lesson plans, and familiarize your staff with your Emergency Action Plan (Read Risk Strategies yacht club safety resources here.). This is your first opportunity to set your expectations and build a team! Use team-building activities and get your staff involved in the summer plan to build a strong team culture.
3. Use Skill Up App Resources
Utilize the lesson plans, drills, activities, videos, and other resources with students, staff and volunteers this season! Built to support US Sailing’s skill development curriculum, the Skill Up App provides US Sailing members with access instructional resources on your mobile device. Any US Sailing member can access features by downloading the Skill Up App and logging in with their US Sailing Membership credentials.
4. Start Lesson Planning
Do you have a curriculum for each of your classes? Have your staff create the lesson plan for their first week, taking into account your learning objectives and potential challenges, such as weather (Find a lesson plan template and other instructor resources here.) If your program is using Skill Up App, there are many lesson plans and resources available, such as videos and content from Sailing Drills Made Easy! and Teach Sailing the Fun Way, two publications that US Sailing provides for free, digitally, within the app. Be sure to also brainstorm rainy day activities with your team. Modules from US Sailing’s Reach Program can help fill that role or can be featured prominently at events or in a STEM-specific summer camp (Dive into Reach Module 1 Measuring Wind – which is free online, for a sneak peak!).
5. Complete Sailboat Inspections (and any Necessary Repairs)
Spring is for commissioning your fleet! Do a visual inspection of everything you stored during the winter to ensure they’re safe and functional, including sails, rigging, bungees, and blocks. Check the hulls, blades, and spars of your boats in case there are repairs that were not completed following the prior season, especially if the boats were kept in a below-freezing environment. As you do this, make a list to of spare parts you would like to have on hand, like extra plugs, tiller extensions, hiking straps, and more! Having well-maintained fleet is important for keeping sailors safe and learning effective. Shop at a discounted rate with our partners at Landfall Navigation & Zim Sailing
6. Prepare Your Powerboats
Make sure all your powerboats are in working condition and have the required US Coast Guard equipment. Many programs have implemented Bluetooth Engine Cut-Off Switches while others have gone with the LifeCord. Figure out what works consistently for your program. You may also want to consider hosting a US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Instructor to run a 1-day accelerated Safe Powerboat Handling course. It’s a great opportunity to ensure all your staff and volunteers are capable and safe boathandlers. Fell Marine and SafeLakes Marine Products offer US Sailing Members discounts – Fell Marine on their MOB+ Wireless System and SafeLakes on the LifeCord.
7.Streamline your Administrative Processes
Use the pre-season preparation time to “get your ducks in a row”. Set up systems that have easy access to important information to make your season run smoothly. This includes internal checks like – boat titles and current registrations, waivers, and staff certifications. Make sure your customers know where to find information about your season schedule, relevant weather information, and a course calendar. Did you know? US Sailing Members receive 30% off Plus or Pro SailFlow Subscriptions!
8. Create a Sailing Library
Make sure you have a good sailing library both written and on video. Get copies of Teach Sailing the Fun Way, Sailing Drills Made Easy!, Junior Big Boat Program Guide, and the Reach STEM Educator Guide to help your instructors supplement classroom chalk talks, and offer an additional no-wind or rainy day activity. You can purchase many of US Sailing’s books digitally as well. US Sailing’s YouTube channel houses many videos on sailing skills and activities using many types of boats. Visit the US Sailing Store, where US Sailing Members receive a discounted Rule Book as well as various discounts on books, clothing, and more!
9. Personal Safety Equipment (PFD, Sun Protection)
It’s a good idea to have extra loaner life jackets (make sure they’re in safe working order!); backup sunscreen and hats for sun protection; and spare re-useable water bottles along with a potable water source for students, staff, and volunteers who forget them. Having a few extra sets of foul weather gear and gloves on hand is also a plus! Check out US Sailing’s clothing and equipment sponsors for great gear and Membership discounts – Harken Derm, Revo Sunglasses, Zhik, and Vessi Shoes.
10. Assign Equipment to Staff
Make sure that your team is aware of what to do when something breaks (and it will). Assigning equipment (radios, boats, etc.) to individual staff is one way to encourage accountability. Reiterate how to care for and maintain this equipment, as well as how to report it missing or broken.
Still want more information? US Sailing’s has resources with detailed best practices for running your unique sailing program. Check out US Sailing’s Program Manuals:
Community Sailing Program Handbook
Adaptive Sailing Program Resource Manual
Access your coupons and discounts in the US Sailing Member Portal here!