Nestled on the shores of Bde Maka Ska, the Minneapolis Sailing Center (MSC) has been a cornerstone of the city’s rich sailing culture since its founding in 1989. With over 125 years of documented sailing history in the Minneapolis area, MSC has built a reputation as a premier urban community sailing center, offering high-quality sailing programs that emphasize inclusivity and sustainability.
A History Rooted in Community
The story of the Minneapolis Sailing Center began with a group of dedicated parents who wanted to create opportunities for their children to learn to sail in their own backyard. With a commitment to education and a passion for fostering a lifelong love of sailing, MSC grew into a vibrant community hub. From scows and ice boats to keelboats and X boats, the variety of sailing classes reflects the depth of Minneapolis’ connection to its waters.
Bde Maka Ska is a gem in the Twin Cities region, attracting over 5 million visitors annually to the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. While the diversity of the region is well represented in the parkland around the lake, historic disparities persist in access to activities on the water, especially sailing.
The mission at MSC is simple yet impactful: to build an inclusive, sustainable community while teaching the art of sailing to all. Through this mission, MSC has transformed sailing in Minneapolis into a sport for everyone, not just those with access or privilege.
“I’m here to tell you that MSC’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is actively taking place,” shared Keith Holloman, Board of Directors Member at MSC.
Anchored in Partnerships
At the heart of MSC’s success is its robust community partnership program, which includes over two dozen organizations. More than 750 participants engage in sailing each year, many of them from underrepresented backgrounds.
Leadley stated, “When we initiate relationships with partner organizations, one of the things we hear most often is, ‘I’ve walked around this lake my whole life, and I always wondered: who are the people out in those sailboats?'”
Notable partnerships include Girls Taking Action and Boys of Hope, two North Minneapolis-based summer leadership programs, which have brought youth to the water for the last four years. MSC also collaborates with Minneapolis Public Schools, the Outdoor Afro Minnesota initiative, and Twin Cities Blind Sailing, highlighting its deep commitment to expanding access to outdoor activities for all. MSC has hosted the first-ever youth camps for blind sailors alongside Twin Cities Blind Sailing, demonstrating its forward-thinking approach to inclusivity.
“None of our girls ages 13-17 had ever been sailing and they loved it,” said Dorothy Nins, Development Director at Girls Taking Action. “Every Wednesday, we were out on the water and all of them wanted to come back. None of them wanted to quit. When our girls left, they knew every aspect of sailing and wanted to go back. I feel confident they could all sail a boat on the water, and we can’t wait to return next summer.”
Free Sailing Sundays, an ongoing tradition from June through September, offers free 30-minute sailboat rides to newcomers and seasoned sailors alike. In 2024 alone, over 1,200 participants experienced their first sail on the waters of Bde Maka Ska through this program.
“Our community partnership programs are more than an afternoon out on the water,” said Joe Leadley, Director of Equity and Inclusion at MSC. “These offerings help people from all backgrounds to develop a sense of shared ownership of our natural resources and to feel a sense of belonging on the water – a site of historic exclusion and privileged access. We are excited about our progress to date and are thrilled at the inclusive community we’re building at MSC.”
MSC also runs a thriving weekly race program featuring 420s, Ensigns, C Scows, and Lasers. Many of the race trophies carry a legacy that stretches back more than a century, underscoring the long-standing competitive spirit that continues to flourish here.
Sailing Towards Inclusion
In 2020, the Minneapolis Sailing Center launched its Equity and Inclusion Initiative, reflecting a pivotal shift toward aligning with the community’s diverse demographics. After the events following George Floyd’s murder, MSC restructured its approach to embrace broader ambitions informed by historic exclusion. This led to a 50% growth in its community partnership program, resulting in nearly 2,000 new sailors participating in outreach events and Free Sailing Sundays.
Comments from community leaders at MSC’s Raise the Sails fundraiser held on September 13, 2024, demonstrate the positive impact of the center’s outreach:
“Outdoor Afro’s mission is to celebrate and inspire Black leadership and connection to nature, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing in our partnership with the Minneapolis Sailing Center. Building connections, fostering leadership, creating opportunities for people to experience the freedom and beauty of sailing,” said Stephen Scott, co-leader of Outdoor Afro Minnesota.
Alfred K. Bangoura, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, added: “The importance of access to the amazing jewel that is the Minneapolis park system is a unique thing. Having the Minneapolis Sailing Center here has been such an amazing gift to the residents who use this park system.”
Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
MSC continues to chart a course toward growth and diversity, with a key goal of deepening relationships with community partners while advancing its mission of inclusivity. One exciting future endeavor includes constructing a new boathouse to enhance the center’s facilities and capabilities.
Moreover, MSC plans to build a “community partner participant-to-staff pipeline,” ensuring that the individuals who come to sail here see themselves reflected in MSC’s team. This initiative not only strengthens community ties but also furthers the center’s commitment to creating a more diverse and representative sailing community.
“Through our Free Sailing Sunday events, scholarships, and community partnership programming, we are changing narratives about who gets to sail,” said Leadley. “With thousands of participants in these programs over the last 5 years, Minneapolis Sailing Center is eliminating financial and cultural barriers to this transformative activity and living into our mission: to build an inclusive, sustainable community and to teach sailing to ALL.”
To donate in support of Minneapolis Sailing Center, please visit sailmpls.org/donate
This article is a part of US Sailing’s Community Sailing Center spotlight series. If you would like to be featured, please fill out the form: https://ussailing.jotform.com/242826089803059