LEARN TO SAIL
2024 programs have ended, but come back in winter 2025 for next season's offerings!
Learn to Sail at Sail Sand Point
Sail Sand Point teaches youth and adult camps and classes at Magnuson Park. Over the years our programs have expanded to include a variety of sailing, paddling, racing, and boating activities.
Our programs are designed to not only make people good sailors, but to help them discover what we already know: that sailing is a wonderful lifelong activity that inspires something in all of us.
Registration FAQ for Camps & Classes
Registration for all camps and classes is done through Active Network, not through the SSP website. If you are new to SSP or have struggled to get into the camp or class you want in the past, read through this list of frequently asked questions to make sure you are prepared for registration day.
Active Network is telling me that my ACTIVE.com account is not yet linked to SSP. It says please contact the organization to ask for an invitation to access my online account. What do I do?
Make sure you are NOT logged in to your ACTIVE.com account. You need to be logged out if you are either using a new account or using a new email. When you go through the registration process, you’ll be asked for your email on the second screen. At that time it will recognize you have an ACTIVE.com account and you’ll use the same password that you used to log into your account. The best way to smoothly register is to login in the registration flow and not beforehand in order to prevent getting this error message. To fix, log out and start again.
The camp/class I want is full. What do I do?
You can register for as many waitlists as you’d like with no obligation. If a spot opens up, Active Network will send an automatic email to the next person on the waitlist. You can choose to complete your registration with payment then, or remove yourself from the waitlist. You will need to contact us to learn your spot on the waitlist, but please note that it may take us some time to get back to you if you contact us on registration day.
I’d like to register multiple participants at once. Can I do this?
Yes! Just add the number of camps/classes you want to your cart, and then click check out. Once you’ve moved on to the checkout screen, you’ll have 15 minutes to complete the checkout in full. It’s best to have all personal information like DOB, address, contact info, and medical information handy to expedite this process so you don’t risk losing your selections.
I’m having trouble with my Active Network account/forgot my credentials. Can you help?
Please contact Active Network directly to fix issues related to your username/password. We cannot assist with account related issues on our end, unfortunately. We might be able to tell you which email you used to register with us in the past, but we can’t make adjustments to anyone’s account.
I can’t register for the camp or class I want. Why?
Some of our programs are designated female only, and all of our youth programs have specific age requirements. Make sure you have selected a camp or class that aligns with the age/gender of you/your child as applicable. The programs may also be full, or in someone’s cart. Selections remain in carts for 15 minutes before becoming available again, so we also recommend waiting to see if a spot opens back up.
My child will be slightly too young/too old to register for a camp with specific age requirements. Can I still register them?
You are welcome to contact us if you have a sailor that does not fit our age requirements, but for the most part, we’ve designed these camps with specific age groups in mind. If we do permit your sailor to join a camp for a different age group, we will need to do it manually. Active Network will only allow you to register your child for a camp if they fit the age range for that camp on the first day of camp.
What time do youth camps start and end?
For the most part, beginning youth camps all begin at 9AM and end at 4PM.
What do I do if my child will be late or absent to class?
Note that the best point of contact to reach out to if your child will be late or absent on any day of class is to email our instructors at sailcamp@sailsandpoint.org or leave us a voicemail at 206.525.8782 x 106.
Where do I find a list of camps and classes?
When does registration open?
Registration date for Summer 2024 camps and classes is March 5th, 2024. Registration opens up at noon. The registration page will be open all season long, but it’s best to register early as our programs do fill quickly.
How do I register for a camp or class?
Do you have scholarships available?
Yes! Please apply for one if you have any reservations about the cost of any of our classes. Scholarships can be given out for all classes and are appropriate for a wide variety of situations. Check out the Scholarships page for more information and the application. NOTE: The scholarship application will close on March 1st at noon to allow us to focus on registration day. We will open the application back up if there is additional space available.
Do I need to know how to swim to take a camp or class?
We ask that at a minimum, all participants must be comfortable in the water. Sail Sand Point requires that all participants wear a life jacket while on the water at all times (provided by SSP). Youth Camp participants participate in a water comfort check on the first day but Adult Class participants do not.
- On the first day of all youth camps (except for Mommy/Daddy and Me), instructors will conduct water comfort checks and capsize drills for all participants. The water comfort check consists of entering the water while wearing a life jacket, briefly treading water, swimming a minimum of 20 feet, and then exiting the water.
Do you have classes that are just for women and girls or LGBTQ sailors?
We have several classes specifically for adults and youth who identify as female or nonbinary, and some classes for those who identify as LGBTQ+. For information on youth/teen classes offered, visit our Youth Camps page. Visit our Adult Class page for a list of adult classes and dates. If you have questions please reach out to us any time.
Which adult sailing class should I take?
Which sailing class should my child take?
Class placement for youth is important and greatly depends on age, weight, and ability/experience. In order for your child to get the most out of their time at Sail Sand Point, it is important that they are well-suited to the skill-level of the camp. Because of this, our beginner camps are repeatable, particularly if it’s been a year since your child’s last time in a sailboat. If you are sure your child is ready to move to the next level, send us and email or give us a call. You can also visit our Youth Camps page for more detailed descriptions.
- Have a kid who loves to do it all? Our Junior Explorers is a great option for kids who want to mix it up during camp and try a few different activities. This camp incorporate sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.
- Would your child enjoy learning to sail with a science perspective? Sailing into STEM combines sailing with science and discovery. This camp is targeted to kids ages 12-15.