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 students from Whatcom County grades 9 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 $400 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 is 10 weeks from the end of August to the beginning of November, though we do attend occasional races in late November and early January.

Spring season practices are 11 weeks from March to the mid-May. Practices are held at Zuanich Park Dock on Bellingham Bay.

Practices and races are in FJs, two-person, 15 ft fiberglass sailboats.

PRACTICE 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 quick-dry workout gear including athletic shoes.

Wetsuits will be required based on current weather (temperature, wind, waves) and forecasts. On the days wetsuits are required, you must wear a wetsuit or you won't be able to sail. We have wetsuits that can be borrowed for the season, but sailors are in charge of taking care of and bringing their wetsuits and other gear each day. We strongly encourage proper gear, such as gloves, booties, and no cotton. On our gear page, we suggest what and where to purchase. 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 be prepared for the weather and for aerobic activity at every practice.

At this time we are not accepting 8th graders to the high school team. We recommend the Community Boating Center Middle School Race Team for 8th Graders looking to gain sailing experience before joining the high school team.

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.