REGISTRATION OPENS MID-LATE FEBRUARY

Please note enrollment is done exclusively through Parks and Rec for all Lake Nighthorse sailing options.

Check out our offerings below and click the register button to visit the Parks and Rec website to register.

Please also follow the link on this page to complete our enrollment and waiver form.

You will receive an email from us the week before sail camp with specific details about your session.

For registration assistance please contact Parks and Rec at 970-259-7321.

For details about the sessions or the camp, please contact Katie at 970-903-6036, or send us an email

Sail Durango offers unplugged, outdoor, summer enrichment programming for youth 5-18 years old!

Durango Summer Sail Camps

FULL DAY SUMMER CAMP SESSIONS

Level 1- Beginner Sail Camp | Ages 9-18
Monday- Thursday 9-4pm
Parent Drop off and Pick Up at Lake Nighthorse
Tuition: $575

**For sailors new to small boat sailing and rigging. No prior sailing experience necessary.**
During this 4 day sail camp, sailors will learn the basics of sailing as they spend the day on the water learning sailing skills, playing games and getting wet! By the end of the week, sailors will understand the principles of sailing, feel confident rigging, and being crew on a small sailboat. Independence, teamwork, self-esteem, science, environmental stewardship, and unplugged outdoor play are the goals of this camp (and of course to inspire a love for sailing!)

Enrollment Form and Waivers

LEVEL 1 SESSIONS

June 2 – June 5
June 16 – June 19
June 30 – July 3
July 14 – July 17
July 28 – July 31
August 11 – August 14

HALF DAY SUMMER CAMP SESSIONS

Buccaneers|
Ages 5-7
Monday- Thursday 9:30-12:30pm
Parent Drop off and Pick Up at Lake Nighthorse
Tuition: $375

**For young sailors new to the sport or with some experience on boats.**
During this 4 day session, young sailors will cast away in groups of 4 for a morning of sailing on a small sloop rigged sailing vessel. Adventuring their way around Lake Nighthorse, these sailors will learn to helm and crew a small boat while swimming, singing and picnicking on the Lake’s most secret coves.
**BUCCANEER SESSIONS**
June 9 – June 12
June 23 – June 26
July 7 – July 10
July 21 – July 24
August 4 – August 7

Enrollment Form and Waivers

Skallywags | Ages 7-9
Monday- Thursday 10:30-2pm
Parent Drop off and Pick Up at Lake Nighthorse
Tuition: $375
Join us for a mid morning introductory course designed for sailors who are interested in learning to sail our RS Teras. These boats are designed for sailors under 120lbs and are a perfect starting place for a young sailor who wants to learn to sail in a small group. Sailors will work with a coach to learn rigging, boat handling and safety in light winds. Our man focus is to build confidence and have fun. This is a great prerequisite to our level 1 course for younger sailors.

**SKALLYWAGS SESSIONS**
June 9 – June 12
June 23 – June 26
July 7 – July 10
July 21 – July 24
August 4 – August 7

Sail Durango Enrollment Form and Waiver

Level 2 Sail Camp | Ages 9-18
M- Th 1:30-4:30pm
Parent Drop off and Pick Up at Lake Nighthorse
Tuition: $350

**For sailors who have taken a Level 1 sailing course and are confident in foundational skills.**
During this four day sail camp, sailors will advance their skills in heavier winds. We will adventure across the lake, fine tune solo sailing skills, double hand the RS Feva’s with the spinnakers, and introduce racing techniques. These small groups are designed to individualize instruction and assist sailors in defining their passion for sailing. This is a prerequisite to joining our race team.

Enrollment Form and Waivers

LEVEL 2 SESSIONS

June 9 – June 12
June 23 – June 26
July 7 – July 10
July 21 – July 24
August 4 – August 7

Big Boat Sessions with Peaks and Tides | Ages 12-18

Monday- Thursday 9-5

$575

Transportation to and from Lake Navajo provided.

CONTACT PEAKS AND TIDES

Learn to Skipper and Crew a 27’ Sloop at Lake Navajo in this 4 day camp. This course is designed for sailors who have taken a Level 1 sailing session and want to apply those foundational skills to sailing big boats. Sailors will learn big boat handling, operating and maintaining boat engines, and simple navigation. These small group sessions are offered in collaboration with our partner organization, Peaks and Tides Sailing School.

Advanced Sailing

Race Team|
Ages 9-18
Meets every Friday
Contact us for Pricing and Schedule

**For sailors who have taken a Level 2 and are interested in learning to race.**
Friday sessions curriculum builds on foundational sailing skills. Sailors will have the opportunity to race locally, regionally, nationally and globally according to their own readiness. Our race fleet consists of Laser/ILCA, RS Tera, and RS Fevas.
Please contact us to learn more about this program or inquire about your child’s readiness.

Join the Race Team

Travel Clinics

Sailing in Durango has its limitations. Don’t let that stop your sailor from pursuing their passions. In collaboration with other US Sailing Junior Sailing Programs, we offer support in finding training and development opportunities for our community. Please sign up for our newsletter to see where we are going, or reach out to us to find an opportunity that will help you reach your sailing goals!

Regatta Schedule

Enrollment Forms\Waivers

Contact Sail Durango

FAQs

What is your Instructor: Student Ratio?

We maintain an instructor/intern to student ratio of 1:4 on the water at all times. All instructors and interns are CPR Certified. Check out our Bio page to learn more about our crew!

What should my child bring to camp?

PFD/Lifevest- please let us know if you need to borrow one
Wear a bathing suit and quick drying clothes
Wear sun screen and bring a bottle to reapply
Sun hat with a string
Sun glasses with keepers
buff or face mask- for sun protection and virus protection
gloves- if you have sporting gloves, bring them, not required
hand sanitizer- we will have multiple stations, but a personal bottle is a good idea too
Long sleeve shirt to keep the sun off
Rain jacket or splash jacket
extra change of dry clothes including a sweatshirt
shoes- most kids wind up barefoot so flip flops, chacos, water shoes, or old sneakers that can be worn in the water are all great choices
Lunch- high protein
Large water bottle- we will have Hydration Station water for refills
ELECTRONICS MUST STAY ON SHORE. No tablets!
If you child does not like cold water, you may consider a wetsuit. You may rent a wetsuit from 4corners Riversports for $10/day.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations made one month before session are refundable.

What is a typical day like at Sail Camp?

Everyday starts with a stretch, introductions, hydration, and sun protection session. After that we have a weather report led by a Junior Camp Leader. Our Interns will then introduce the learning targets for the day in a session we call “Chalk Talk”. We will then do a team building exercise, land drill, and/or skill demo. Rigging is usually started by 10am for a 10:30/11am appearance on the water. Lunch is typically around 12:30. Depending on the weather our groups are usually off the water de-rigging and debriefing by 3pm. Mondays are all about introductions and can typically have a much slower morning on shore.

Do I need to pay to enter Lake Nighthorse for drop off and pick up?

Yes. It is $10/day/vehicle. Even if its just to drop off. Please contact us for discounted pass options, and carpooling opportunities.

In which level should my child enroll?

Level 1 courses are all about fun and skill acquisition! During Level 2 courses we teach groups to race, voyage, and/or navigate. Many of our participants do multiple Level 1’s before they are interested in focused sailing. Please contact us directly as often times our Level 2 sessions have mixed ability enrollment.

Get to Know the Crew

What if it there is foul weather?

We adjust our sails! We are sailors, afterall. If there is lightening we remove children from the water immediately using our safety boat. If there is high wind, we assess the skills of our group. Often times our Interns and Leaders are excited to sail in heavier conditions. If it is safe, we will pair eager students with an instructor, Intern or Leader. Less eager sailors will ride on Sharkie and observe tactics. In the event of a lightening storm that should last longer than one hour, the session may be cancelled for the day.

What kinds of boats are in the fleet?

We sail primarily on Sunfish and Lasers. We introduce the use of a headsail with our RS Quba (which also can be sailed without the headsail using its Pro Sail), and our Precision 16’ Keelboat. We also have a Banshee fleet.

What if my child is scared?

While we encourage sailing, we also aim to inspire a love for boating and teach prudent seamanship. If a child needs a break from a sailboat, they are invited aboard Sharkie to assist the instructors, rehydrate, rewarm, sit in the shade and observe. It may look and feel like a break, but we believe some learners benefit from observation. Aboard Sharkie, our instructors are actively discussing weather, tactics, wind speed, directions, and critiquing sail trim. Your sailor is benefiting from the exposure and the experience of being on the water. We also ask parents to address concerns with our instructors so we can lend a personalized approach to ensuring the comfort of the sailor.

What is “Sharkie”?

Sharkie is our safety boat! Sharkie circles the sailboats, leads the sailboats and serves as an on the water aide station. She is our rescue vessel! Sailors are instructed to stay within 10 boat lengths of Sharkie at all times. When there are sailboats on the water, Sharkie is near by!