For new and expert sailors alike, the Minneapolis Sailing Center is a fun and supportive environment to share in our passion for sailing. We have classes to make sailing affordable and available to sailors of all abilities and backgrounds. Scholarships are available.

family sailing classes

CHILDREN ages 4+

The Parent/Child Opti Class is for kids 4-6 years old. Parents or guardians will join their kids in an 8 ft. Optimist Pram. These small boats are fun for kids to try sailing for the first time.

For larger families looking for a more comfortable ride, you can sign up for a Family Keelboat Class, taught on a 23-foot Ensign keelboat. This boat can comfortably fit up to 5 family members. An instructor will sail with your group and teach you the ropes.

OPTIMIST Camps

CHILDREN AGES 7-11

The Optimist is an 8-foot sailboat ideal for sailors aged 7–13 and weighing up to 120 pounds.

The Optimist Explorers class is perfect for first-time sailors and those not yet ready to sail an Opti solo. On Day 1, students are divided into first-timers and returners to ensure everyone gets the most out of their week. Friends signing up together are placed in the first-timer group if one has no prior experience. Both groups focus on building independence and confidence on the water. Sailors can repeat this class as many times as needed until they feel comfortable sailing solo in light winds. Families can choose from morning half-day or full-day options to fit their summer schedule.

Once sailors feel confident with the basics, they can move on to Optimist Cruisers, where they enjoy fun sailing adventures and games in a non-race environment. Activities include sailing to beaches, playing games, and practicing skills like points of sail and boat handling. Each session offers new games and activities, making it ideal for repeated participation.

For those ready to learn racing, the Optimist Race Team helps sailors build racing skills through drills, practice races, and improved boat handling. Students gain confidence while participating in the Twin Cities Youth Sailing Regatta series on local lakes.

youth 420 camps

youth ages 12-17

The 420 is a 14 ft boat that is great for learning to sail and offers challenges such as spinnaker and trapeze as skill improves.

The 420 Explorers Class is for first-time and newer sailors to enjoy learning to sail in a non-competitive environment. Sailors will learn all the basics needed to get on the water and build confidence. The Explorers program is designed to build sailing skills through coaching and practice and should be taken multiple times. Sailors won’t want to miss the new games and adventures in each session! Sailors are ready to move onto 420 Cruisers once they have shown confidence in the 420 Explorers’ skills. 

In the 420 Cruisers Class, sailors who have mastered basic skills continue growing as sailors in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. Sailors will spend time exploring the chain of lakes, sailing to the beaches, and playing games focusing on building better sailors. 

For sailors who have mastered the basic skills from the Cruisers class and are interested in learning about Racing, the 420 Intro to Racing Class is the place to be. Sailors will focus on boat handling, upwind sailing, and sail trim while learning about the exciting world of Sailboat Racing.

The 420 Race Team is for sailors who can consistently demonstrate skill in upwind sailing, boat handling, and sail trim and want to improve their racing performance and compete in regattas. Sailors will work on advanced boat handling, sail trim, race strategy, and more. Sailors participate in the Twin Cities Youth Sailing Regatta series on area lakes.