For years we’ve hosted Camp Birch Trails for day trips in our mid-sized boats, 420s. The campers are 14-16 year old girls who often have 4-5 years of experience sailing on inland lakes. To test their skills and play on a bigger lake they sail with us a few days per summer. One particular day, 3 miles from the mainland, a huge line of thunderstorms came over the hills. Our instructors always monitor the weather closely but this rain wasn’t on the radar. They raced the girls back to shore and the last boat made it to land about 45 seconds before the rain came down in sheets. They remained calm and composed as they took on the challenge in front of them. These sailors had spent years practicing under more predictable and calmer conditions but were able to handle themselves in a new and risky situation because of their preparation!
We’re proud to host local students, summer school students, visitors, and camps on our boats over the course of 9 weeks every summer. Year after year we see new and returning students build self-confidence and interpersonal relationships that enrich their lives on and off the water.
Big thank you to the Bayfield Community Education Foundation for updating our lifejacket inventory, everyone who donated last season to help us buy new boats, and the ongoing support from the Washburn Marina for allowing us to store and work on our boats when they aren’t on the water.
North Coast's Sailing School formally began in 2001, but our organization has been teaching kids to sail in some form since 1988. Ever since then, we've been putting little kids in big boats and building their skills even bigger. Ages 5-19 and new this year we have adult classes available! We hope to see you on the water this summer!
