The Bellingham Yacht Club (BYC) offers youth sailing classes and racing instruction for children ages 8 -18 with classes for beginners through advanced racers. The BYC also offers a one of a kind adventure cruising program for teen sailors at the end of the Summer program.
BYC youth learn to sail classes are held Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. A week long session costs $395.
Visit our Learn to Sail Page for class information and Registration!
The BYC also offers a summer racing program for those advanced sailors that are ready to take it to the next level. The teams practice twice a week, and travel to regattas on the weekends.
Visit our Summer Race Team page for more information and to Register!
Questions? Contact Us:
Youthsailing@byc.org
Shea
Youth Sailing Director
Shea learned to sail at the BYC and went on to race with the Sehome High School Sailing Team. She sailed for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and spent her summers coaching in Connecticut. This is Shea's second summer as Director and 7th summer coaching sailing. She just finished her first year of medical school and is excited to spend time on the water this summer!
Emma
Head Instructor and Opti Race Coach
Emma learned to sail at the Bellingham Yacht Club and has been racing for them since 2012. She competed in Optis for 5 years, raced on the Sehome High School sailing team, and has been racing Lasers for 5 years as well. She has enjoyed helping out with the Learn to Sail program for six years, and has been an instructor for three years. (Can’t wait to see you all this Summer!)
Keller
Head Instructor and FJ Laser Race Team Coach
Keller grew up sailing on Bellingham Bay and Lake Whatcom. He sailed competitively at Sehome High School for four years and was the team captain his senior year. He is currently the Sailing Club Team Treasurer at Brown University and still actively competes. Keller has been instructing sailing for three years at the BYC and he is passionate about sharing his love for sailing with people in the community.
Wyatt
Sailing Instructor
Wyatt learned to sail in the San Juan Islands. He began racing Lasers in 2019 for the BYC, as well as sailing for Bellingham High School. He is graduating this year and onto new adventures next fall! This is Wyatt's second year at the BYC as a sailing instructor and he is excited to give back to the sailing community.
Jack
Sailing Instructor
Jack was born and raised in Bellingham, has been part of the Bellingham Yacht Club program since he was 6 years old. Jack is now attending Eastern Washington University but he is so excited to come back for the Summer. Jack remembers all the fun memories and life long friends he has made through his years at the BYC. Now that he's an instructor, he loves helping kids learn to sail and hopes they will enjoy summer camp just as much as he did!
Ian
Sailing Instructor
Ian learned to sail through the BYC's Learn to Sail Program, and is now very passionate about teaching sailing! Ian has sailed Optis, Lasers and FJs during his time at Bellingham High School. He graduated from Whatcom Community College and is currently furthering his education at Western Washington University