We do not rent sailboats on a daily or hourly basis. Our Membership Program grants access to our fleet of sailboats for the whole year! We are not aware of any programs in the Twin Cities that rent sailboats on a short-term basis.

• Life Jacket: Every sailor must bring a Type III, Coast Guard-approved life jacket. It must always be worn on the water or on the dock. We have spare life jackets you can borrow for free if you do not have one. If you have one of your own, please bring it.

• Clothing: Check weather conditions before leaving home and dress appropriately. We recommend quick-drying clothing with UV protective properties. Long-sleeve swim shirts, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats all help to prevent sunburn and long-term skin and eye damage. For youth classes, bring a bag with a swimsuit, rain gear, extra clothes, a towel, etc. Put the sailor’s name and phone number on each item, including a backpack or bag. We are not responsible for lost items.

• Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen before leaving home. Sailors should have it with them at the lake as well.

• Water: Provide a water bottle for each sailor. Sailors must drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration on hot days.

• Footwear: Feet will get wet. Aqua socks, submersible sneakers, or sandals with a back strap (Teva, Chaco, Keen) are all acceptable. Flip-flops are not allowed. Shoes must be worn at all times.

• Bicycle Lock: Sailors who ride bicycles to the lake should bring a heavy-duty lock and securely lock the bike to bike racks. Do not use a cable lock or small chain lock. MSC recommends U-lock or D-lock-type bike locks.

• Food: Students attending full-day classes will have a lunch break and snack. Sailors should bring a bagged lunch and a snack. Refrigeration is not provided.

• Location: Classes are held at the boathouse and sailing dock in the northeast corner of Bde Maka Ska. The Boathouse address is 3010 E Bde Maka Ska Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55408.

• Drop Off and Pick Up: The car turnaround at the lake is now open.

  • Adult class participants should park nearby and walk down to the boathouse.

  • Youth Camps - Parents can drive next to our building if they need to do a quick pick-up and drop-off. The turnaround is only for quick pick-up & drop-off. There is NO PARKING in the turnaround for any time. Parents are welcome to walk with their children to meet their instructors. To do so, parents need to park their car in the neighborhood and walk down to the boathouse with their child for check-in; do not park in the turnaround. Similarly, for pick-up on the first day, you should park your vehicle on a nearby street and walk down to the boathouse to greet your kids and check out.

• Check-In and Check-Out: For youth camps, make sure your child checks in and out with his or her instructor every day. If students leave without telling an instructor, we don’t know if they are safely on their way. Ask your child every day if they checked out with an instructor.

• Parking: Parking is not allowed in the car turnaround. Parking is available on neighborhood streets. Do not park on Knox Ave between Lake St. and W 31st St—it is restricted to permits only.

We strive to maintain a safe and inclusive environment where all participants feel supported. To ensure the emotional and physical safety of everyone, students are expected to follow basic rules of respect and cooperation. Bullying and disruptive behavior are not allowed.

If a behavior issue arises, instructors will work with the student to address the concern and develop a resolution plan. If necessary, the issue may be escalated to the Program Director, and parents will be contacted for additional support. Severe behaviors that compromise safety may result in removal from classes without a refund.

If you need to withdraw from a class:

• Full refunds are available up to one week before the course start date.

• 50% refunds are available for cancellations within one week of the course start date.

• No refunds are available after the first day of class.

In cases of unexpected illness or significant events, course credit or refunds may be offered at MSC's discretion.

If you miss a class during an adult or family session, the options for making up missed classes are as follows:

• Adult 420, Laser, or Parent/Child Opti Classes: To make up for a missed class, attend the same class day in a future session.

• Adult Beginner and Intermediate Keelboat Classes: Schedule a free 1.5-hour private makeup lesson.

To arrange makeup classes or lessons, contact Collin at Collin@sailmpls.org.

Youth Camps

We monitor weather conditions closely to ensure safety. During unexpected lousy weather, sailors are moved off the water to the boathouse or the Bde Maka Ska Pavilion. In severe weather situations, such as tornado warnings, parents or guardians are notified via email and text to pick up their sailors promptly.

For brief or mild weather interruptions, sailors will remain at camp and engage in indoor activities and games until it is safe to resume outdoor programming.

Adult and Family Classes

If MSC cancels an adult class session due to weather or other unforeseen events, it will be postponed or rescheduled for the Saturday following each two-week class. Sometimes, the instructor may coordinate with students to find an alternate day or time for the makeup class. If all sessions are held as scheduled, there will be no additional Saturday class.

If weather conditions are uncertain, participants should:

• Check email and text messages for class announcements.

• Call the MSC Boathouse at 612-822-8328 for updates.

Schedule changes will be announced at least one hour before the class starts. If adverse weather develops after a class has begun, sailors will return to the boathouse for on-land instruction and activities until conditions improve.

E. coli and Beach Closures: Sailors often swim in the lake as part of their camp experience, always while wearing lifejackets. The Minneapolis Park Board regularly tests water near beaches for E. coli levels. Following heavy rain, levels may rise near stormwater drains, potentially leading to beach closures. In such cases, sailors will avoid affected areas, as mid-lake water is generally safer and more diluted.

Wildfire Smoke and AQI: Sailing camps and classes will be canceled when the AQI exceeds 150 (Unhealthy for All Groups). For AQIs between 100 and 150, parents may choose whether their child attends. Activities will be adjusted to reduce exertion, with frequent breaks for participants and staff. Visit airnow.gov for additional information.

Sailors do not need to know how to swim but must feel comfortable in the water and be able to float and move while wearing a lifejacket. On low-wind days, youth sailors may swim under supervision. They must follow these rules:

• Always wear a properly fitted and secured life jacket.

• Stay within arm’s reach of the boat.

• Avoid dunking or roughhousing in the water.

Students and their parents/guardians are responsible for covering the costs of significant damage to sailboats, sails, or other equipment caused by intentional actions, negligence, or horseplay.