About the Program

Whatcom Community Sailing is a non-profit organization to teach high school students in our community how to race. The program is for high school and middle schools students from Whatcom County grades 8 to 12. The program is for sailors of all skill levels from beginners to advanced. We focus on racing and participate in high school regattas around the Northwest as part of the NWISA (Northwest Interscholastic Sailing Association). The team practices during the Spring from March to May and Fall from September through October. Regattas are on the weekends and take place in the San Juans, Seattle, and as far south as Portland, OR.

Team fee is $350 per season.

We do not want cost to be a barrier from participation so please contact us if you need financial assistance.

Checks should be made out to Whatcom Community Sailing.

Scholarships are available to those who qualify by being on the free-reduced lunch program through the schools. Please contact us if you qualify and pass this information to anyone who may be interested.

We practice 2 times per week in the fall and spring. Fall Season goes from the beginning of September to the end of October, though we do attend occasional races during November and January. Spring season practices are from March to the middle of May. Practices are held at Zuanich Park Dock on Bellingham Bay and we race in FJs.

PRACTICES DAYS:

All teams will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 to 6:30

Please see our schedule page for a schedule of all regattas. We require attendance at all regattas (and practices).

See our Gear Page for more information.

We require all sailors to have a Type III Coastguard approved lifejacket, a whistle on their life jacket, wetsuit, and workout gear including running shoes. There will be days when we will require you wear a wetsuit or you won't be able to sail. We strongly encourage proper gear, such as gloves, booties, and no cotton. On our gear page, we suggest places to buy gear and what kind of gear to get. Please ask us or your fellow sailors what gear we recommend if you have any questions. Workouts will include cardio exercises including running, team members must always be prepared for running at every practice.

At this time we are not excepting 8th graders without prior racing experience. We recommend the Community Boating Center Middle School Team for 8th Graders.

We are excited to have your sailor on the team, and will be kept very busy organizing practices, regattas and teaching them how to become awesome racers! So, we will need your help! Regatta travel is usually based on parent drivers. We try to reimburse for gas, and food is usually free or very cheap for the weekend. (Provided by the hosting team). Please take a look at the regatta schedule and make note on which regattas you would be able to drive.