Carolina Summer Sailing Camp
In the Carolina Summer Sailing Camp, children between 9 and 16 participate in small group, on-the-water, week-long sessions to learn basic and intermediate sailing skills. We sail Optimist (“Opti”) and “420” sailboats and emphasize safety, building confidence, having fun and improving skills. All head instructors are US Sailing certified. The cost per weekly session is $445 with discounts for siblings.
We sail on Jordan Lake at Crosswinds Boating Center, Apex, NC, Monday through Friday. Dropoff is between 8:45 and 9:00am, and pickup is at 4:00pm.
For reimbursement purposes, our Taxpayer ID Number is 542076502.
2027 Sailing Camp Calendar
| Date | Opti Camp (9 to 11-year-olds) | 420 Camp (12 to 16-year-olds) |
|---|---|---|
| June 14 - 18 | Beginner | |
| June 21 - 25 | Intermediate | Beginner |
| June 28 - July 2 | Beginner | Beginner |
| July 12 - 16 | Beginner | Intermediate |
| July 19 - 23 | Beginner | Beginner |
| July 26 - 30 | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| August 2 - 6 | Beginner | Race Week |
| August 9 - 13 | Beginner | Beginner |
Course Offerings
Beginner
Participants learn the parts of a sailboat, how a sailboat works and how to properly rig and begin to sail. Suitable for complete novices.
Intermediate
Participants review all skills learned in the Beginner class, plus learn
upwind and downwind techniques and introduction to racing. Suitable
for children who have some sailing experience and are comfortable alone
in a boat.
Race Week
For those sailors who have taken our Intermediate level classes, or have joined us for Junior Sailing, we now offer a session called “Race Week”! Sailors will learn race start techniques, how to sail upwind and downwind efficiently, and some of the Racing Rules of Sailing.
We love racing because it is engaging, social, available through high school, college, and beyond, and it’s the best way to continuously develop sailing skills.
Our Sailboats
Optis
One-person boats built for ages 9-11.
420s
Two-person boats built for ages 12+.
Summer Open Junior Sailing
Summer Open Junior Sailing is available for sailors 9 to 18 years old on Monday evenings from 4:30 until 7:30 at Crosswinds Boating Center on Jordan Lake. Summer Open Junior Sailing is open only to sailors who have completed at least a Beginner session in our Sailing Summer Camp or have equivalent experience.
Sailing in the summer of 2026 will be held Monday evenings from June 15 to August 10, except June 29. Cost will be $20/evening. Sessions may be canceled due to weather or staffing shortage, with notifications each Sunday.