{image1} Do you get wistful every time you here "Come Sail Away?" Would you like to learn how to navigate Lake Michigan but can't afford a sailboat? Then point your compass toward adventure with sailing classes from the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center (MCSC) this spring.
Located in Veterans Park at McKinley Marina, this non-profit organization provides all walks of life the opportunity to learn valuable sailing experience and the chance to move from shore to sailboat.
"There's no other facility in the country like us," says Holly Davenport, director at MCSC. "It's a one-of-a-kind experience here."
Davenport is talking about the 80 boats that MCSC owns and maintains, along with the no-charge access to the fleet after successfully demonstrating basic sailing skills and earning a rating.
"We have courses that range from beginner to advanced," says Davenport. "Anyone can do it."
MCSC's calendar this year offers more flexibility to accommodate to students' summer schedules with weekend and evening classes available, along with the normal daytime classes. Beginning in May, the MCSC is ready to teach you a new leisure activity.
{image2}MCSC's adult basic instruction course incorporates classroom theory and on-the-water practice in an eight-session, 24-hour course over two weeks to make sailing safe, easy and fun. Plus, you'll become familiar with sailing terms such as tacking, jibing and sail trim while picking up on sailing manners, as well.
The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center doesn't overlook children, either.
Youth classes begin in June, but Davenports suggests early registration, as the spots fill up quickly. For ages 12-17, youth courses run Monday through Thursday for two consecutive weeks. Prams in the Park is a program where children ages 8-11 are offered one-week instruction from MCSC.
It's guaranteed to be an experience you'll always keep with you, and Davenport highly suggests becoming a member.
"It's an extremely reasonable price," Davenport says.
Membership is about $275 for an individual and $425 for a couple, with MCSC providing a sliding scale based on family size and income. Membership also provides private boat owners 24-hour access to the lake, year-round boat storage as well as boat launching and haul-out services. Memberships are valid for one calendar year from sign-up date with financial scholarships available to those who qualify.
For more information on the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center and their courses, call (414) 277-9094. The MCSC Web site is sailingcenter.org.
