LET'S GO SAILING AT LAKE TOWNSEND!

COME SAIL WITH US!
If you are exploring sailing, the First Sail experience is a fun way to start. If you never sailed before or you want to refresh your skills, our Learn to Sail (LTS) classes and Junior Camps will fulfill your goals.
Our Sailing Education Program offers: Adult Private LTS, Adult Group LTS, Junior Camps, Learn to Race and First Sail.
For the more advanced sailors interested in Regattas, we offer Learn to Race classes which include participation in a club race with an instructor or experienced LTYC member!
Registration fee includes Start Sailing Right!, the official learn to sail book of US SAILING, and use of the city's Pico, Aqua Finn, Sunfish, and Capri 14 boats as well as LTYC Club boats.
Click here for more information.
Free T-Shirt also included for each student. Specify size of shirt on the class registration form.
Lake Townsend and Marina are located north of Greensboro off of Hwy 29.
Map/directions to Lake Townsend
Contact education@laketownsendyachtclub.com if you need more information or have any questions about the classes or other learning options.

Rear Commodore
Ron Washburn
REGISTRATION FOR ALL ADULT CLASSES, YOUTH CAMPS AND FIRST SAIL:
How to register:
- Go to the Online REGISTRATION FORM.
- Complete the form.
- Pay online by credit card, PayPal, or follow form instructions to pay by check.
If the class you are interested in is full, send an email with your name, class date, and comments to education@laketownsendyachtclub.com and we will put you on a waiting list.

Class Schedules for 2023
First Sail Sessions - $75
10 separate First Sail opportunities are offered to let first-time sailors get their first taste of sailing.Rather than a course, this is an “experience”. Maybe you’ve never been on a sail boat and just want to see if sailing is something you would really be interested in – or might be capable of. Find out for yourself by signing up for an afternoon on the water, with an experienced skipper who will teach enough to help you decide, and let you actually sail the boat knowing that there is experienced crew there to help you through it.
First Sail Schedules
Class 1 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 2 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 3 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 4 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 5 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 6 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 7 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 8 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 9 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Class 10 | single day | |
---|---|---|
|
Junior Sail Camp - $200
Junior Sail Camps are offered in June and July.This is a fun and safe way to introduce your junior sailor to the joy and excitement of sailing a small boat on a great lake. Returning students will increase their sailing skills.
**NOTE: Junior Sail Camp is limited to 10-15 year old students only, and participants MUST be be able to swim!
Junior Sail Camp Schedules
Class 1 | 6 consecutive days | |
---|---|---|
June 18(Sun) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 7-8pm |
June 19(Mon) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 12:30pm |
June 20(Tue) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 12:30pm |
June 21(Wed) | Marina Closed | NO CLASS |
June 22(Thu) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 12:30pm |
June 23(Fri) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 12:30pm |
Class 2 | 6 consecutive days | |
---|---|---|
July 23(Sun) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 7-8pm |
July 24(Mon) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 12:00pm |
July 25(Tue) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 12:30pm |
July 26(Wed) | Marina Closed | NO CLASS |
July 27(Thu) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 12:30pm |
July 28(Fri) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 12:30pm |
Beginner Adult Classes - $200
Beginner Adult (age 16 or older) classes are for someone with very limited or NO sailing experience. You took the “First Sail” experience and want to learn more… you've been on sailboat outings as a “passenger”. You sailed many years ago and want a refresher. From knot tying to boat rigging to steering, learn the skills of sailing. Determine wind direction and sail position, then head out on the water to practice sailing on an Aqua Finn, Sunfish, Laser Pico and Capri 14.2.We provide these courses in a number of different formats so that you can continue pursuing the less important things in life. You know... things like work or golf 😉
Beginner Adult Class Schedules
Class 1 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
Apr 28(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
Apr 29(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Apr 30(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Class 2 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
May 5(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
May 6(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
May 7(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Class 3 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
May 19(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
May 20(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
May 21(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Class 4 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
July 14(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
July 15(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
July 16(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Class 5 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
Aug 18(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
Aug 19(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Aug 20(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Class 6 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
Sep 15(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
Sep 16(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Sep 17(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Intermediate Adult Class - $200
The Intermediate Adult class is for someone (age 16 or older) who knows the basics, what makes the boat go forward, how to tack, etc. Maybe they have sailed a little in years past but they want to be more comfortable in their knowledge and skills.Intermediate classes are taught on sloops - sailboats with Main and Jib sails. This class requires basic sailing skills and will teach the sailor advanced skills. This is a great follow-up to the Beginner class. Boats used in this class include Wayfarer, Lightning, Flying Scot, and Capri 14.
Intermediate Adult Class Schedules
Class 1 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
Aug 4(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
Aug 5(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 4pm |
Aug 6(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9:30am - 4pm |
Private Classes - $235
Four separate Private classes are offered with different schedules to give you some flexibility to choose which is best for you.These are One-on-One training sessions that will give you a more concentrated experience than the group classes. You do miss out on any type of group discussion where another student might ask a question that you hadn't thought to ask, learning by watching others, as well as experiencing a sailing camaraderie.
After signing up for a private class, an instructor will contact you and work with you to setup a schedule that will work best for both the student and the instructor.
Private Class Schedules
Class 1 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
May 26(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
May 27(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
May 28(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Class 2 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
Jun 30(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
Jul 1(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Jul 2(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Class 3 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
Jul 21(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
Jul 22(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Jul 23(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Class 4 | '3 day' weekend | |
---|---|---|
Sep 1(Fri) | Sailing Theory (online via Zoom) | 6-8pm |
Sep 2(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Sep 3(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 10am - 4pm |
Learn to Race Class - $100
Pleasure sailing is great, but there is no better way to improve your sailing skills than racing against other boats.Our Learn to Race class will help you understand how the trim and setup of a boat and how sail trim and weight distribution of the crew will all affect the performance of a boat.
And then of course you measure that performance by competing against other sailors.
This course covers all of this and gives you the opportunity to participate with an experienced crew member (one of LTYC's current racers) in a scheduled club race.
**Note: Prerequisite**
To take this class, you must have at least one years sailing experience. You do NOT need prior racing experience.
Learn to Race Class Schedule
Class 1 | 4 consecutive days | |
---|---|---|
Sep 7(Thu) | Trim, Rules, Tactics (online via Zoom) | 6-8:30 pm |
Sep 8(Fri) | Trim, Rules, Tactics (online via Zoom) | 6-8:30 pm |
Sep 9(Sat) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9am - 4pm |
Sep 10(Sun) | Lake Townsend Marina | 9am - 4pm |
Learn-to-Sail Links
Learn-to-Sail Class Links
- City rental boats used in class
- Capsize Drill
- Rigging the Pico
- Rigging the Aqua Finn
- Boating Knots
- Sailing Quiz