Sailing Program

  • Head Sailing Instructor: Brandon Gruttemeyer
  • Sailing Instructor Team: Benjamin Bettinger, George DeSantis



Sailing

Our Mission:

Our aim is to provide fun and educational programs for young water enthusiasts who are interested in sailing and racing. Our goal is to provide an environment where a passion for sailing as a life-long sport can grow while teaching the basic skills needed for students to stay safe on the water and to advance in the sport as far as they would like to.


 

Lake George Club Junior Sailing Summer Program 2026 Important Dates:

 
  • Registration for the program is now open!
  • All Sessions Run Tuesday through Friday (no classes scheduled Saturdays, Sundays or Mondays)
  • Cheeseburger Regatta - July 30 & 31 @LGC

Sailing Requirement:

  • All sailors must pass a swim test in order to participate.

Age Requirement:

  • All sailors must be age 6 or older to participate.

Required Equipment:

  • Life jacket (PFD)
  • Sailing shoes (closed-toe)
  • Helmets are required on high wind days for all classes except Dinghy Demons

Dinghy Demons

For 6 and 7 year old kids, this class will get them comfortable being on a sailboat.  Lessons will teach kids the basics of boating and water safety, sailing terminology, parts of a boat, etc.

These classes are offered Tuesday - Friday, from 9:00-10:20

Opti Beginner

This is a beginner's course for sailor's who are approximately 8 to 13 years old. No experience necessary. Lessons start with two students per boat, eventually transitioning to one student per boat. Once comfortable sailing single-handed in a variety of conditions, the student may move up to intermediate level (typically after two years as beginner)

Skills:

  • The parts of the boat and other sailing nomenclature
  • Rigging the Opti
  • Safety onboard and on the water
  • Sail trimming
  • Tacking and gybing
  • Sailing upwind and downwind
  • Capsize recovery

This class will be offered Tuesday – Friday from 9:00 -12:00

Opti Intermediate

This is an intermediate course for sailor's who are approximately 10 to 13 years old. Must have satisfied Opti beginner instruction, be comfortable in sailing single-handed under all conditions, and have recommendation from instructor. Students learn and practice fundamental sailing skills and continue developing confidence in boat handling. Student will learn to simultaneously control tiller and sails.

Skills:

  • Sailing nomenclature
  • Knot-tying
  • Independently care for and rig/de-rig boat
  • Upwind and downwind boat handling on a course
  • Water safety awareness
  • Basic rights of way
  • Racing starts

This class will be offered Tuesday – Friday from 9:00 -12:00

 

FJ Advanced

 

FJ sailor's ages span from approximately 12 to 17 years old.

The transition from Opti's to FJ's may be recommended for sailors at the instructor's discretion.

 

Students are avid sailors and are interested in sailing competitively; they will develop racing techniques, rules, tactics, and strategy. They will practice starts, mark roundings, a variety of race courses, and upwind and downwind boatspeed. Keelboat racing will be introduced with the goal of having junior racers entering the adult races on Wednesday nights!

Skills:

  • Tactics and Strategy
  • Perfecting boat handling and technique
  • Starting
  • Introduction to Team Racing

This class will be offered Tuesday – Friday from 1:30-4:30. Participants are encouraged to compete in regattas.