About Us
History
It all started in the fall of 1998 when a female student with a desire to sail, approached Tim Graham, a teacher at Grand Haven High School. This initiative, with a used FJ from Grand Valley State University, led to the beginning of the Grand Haven High School sailing club. Tim Graham was the sole driving force behind our humble beginnings and ran the program with funding from the Grand River Sailing Club and local support. It was not until August of 2013 when the racing rules changed and FJ sailboats were no longer allowed in competitions. This is when Rob Riegler, Brian Peterson and Betty Clark established a 501c3 non-profit to assist in raising funds for some long overdue equipment. The initial fundraiser allowed the sailing club to purchase three 420s and participate in regattas held throughout the state. Since then the club has slowly grown. Our first large regatta, the Coast Guard City Classic, was held in October 2015 at the Spring Lake Yacht Club, where the team practices twice a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHO CAN SAIL?
Any Grand Haven School student, male or female, in grades 7 thru 12 can sail.
DO I NEED SAILING EXPERIENCE?
It is not required, although some level of sailing experience is preferred. It is highly encouraged that each sailor participates in the Spring Lake Junior Sailing Association Summer 420 Camps. http://www.sljsa.org
HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST?
Fall Season Sailing Fee is $220.00/sailor. Spring Season Sailing Fee TBD. This will cover the cost of an ISSA/MISSA Membership, maintenance of the sailboats, powerboat, boat fuel, insurance, use of yacht club, and other miscellaneous expenses. This does not include the cost of attending regattas, overnight stays or personal equipment. (i.e. life jacket, dry suit, boots, helmet, and gloves)
*Please note that Scholarships are available to those in need. We want everyone that wants to sail to be able to sail.
WHEN AND WHERE IS PRACTICE?
We practice two days a week, Tues. & Thurs. from 3/3:15-6:00 at Spring Lake Yacht Club.
WHAT DO WE SAIL?
Sailors use boats owned by the team, which are 420 class sailboats.
WHAT DO I WEAR/NEED TO SAIL?
You need a swimsuit, Coast Guard approved life jacket, dry suit for cold weather, towel, spare clothes, water socks/boots or old tennis shoes and gloves.
WHO ARE THE COACHES?
Olivia Windemuller - Coach
Tim Graham- Coach
Rob Riegler -Coach
All of our coaches are experienced sailors and coaches.
WHERE ARE THE REGATTAS?
Some of the places that we will be sailing at are Spring Lake Yacht Club, Traverse City, Culver Academies in Indiana, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, and Pontiac Yacht Club. Regattas take place on Saturdays and Sundays and we will only attend if chaperones are available.
WHO DO WE COMPETE WITH?
We compete with Holland, East Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Spring Lake, Grosse Pointe North and South, Detroit Country Day, Brother Rice, and many other clubs.
DO WE TRAVEL?
Yes. Most of the regattas we attend are away and require traveling and overnight stays. We are a club sport - only affiliated with Grand Haven Schools by name, therefore we have to arrange our own transportation. We will be looking for drivers (parents) and chaperones for regattas.
FUNDRAISING
All Donations are Tax-Deductible. We work continuously on raising funds to better our team to ensure we can continue sailing for years to come.
DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEERS?
Yes, we always can use volunteers. They can be parents, grandparents, friends, etc. Opportunities include: Regatta Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Lodging Coordinator, Apparel Coordinator, Equipment Manager, and Fundraising Chair. If you do not want to be someone in charge we can always use extra help at practices and at any of our events/regattas.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO BEFORE I CAN SAIL WITH THE TEAM?
1. Familiarize yourself with the Rules for Sailing, which can be found under the links tab.
2. GET FIT!!! You need to be fast and nimble in these boats!!!
3. Attend a parent/sailor meeting and read the emails.
Any Grand Haven School student, male or female, in grades 7 thru 12 can sail.
DO I NEED SAILING EXPERIENCE?
It is not required, although some level of sailing experience is preferred. It is highly encouraged that each sailor participates in the Spring Lake Junior Sailing Association Summer 420 Camps. http://www.sljsa.org
HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST?
Fall Season Sailing Fee is $220.00/sailor. Spring Season Sailing Fee TBD. This will cover the cost of an ISSA/MISSA Membership, maintenance of the sailboats, powerboat, boat fuel, insurance, use of yacht club, and other miscellaneous expenses. This does not include the cost of attending regattas, overnight stays or personal equipment. (i.e. life jacket, dry suit, boots, helmet, and gloves)
*Please note that Scholarships are available to those in need. We want everyone that wants to sail to be able to sail.
WHEN AND WHERE IS PRACTICE?
We practice two days a week, Tues. & Thurs. from 3/3:15-6:00 at Spring Lake Yacht Club.
WHAT DO WE SAIL?
Sailors use boats owned by the team, which are 420 class sailboats.
WHAT DO I WEAR/NEED TO SAIL?
You need a swimsuit, Coast Guard approved life jacket, dry suit for cold weather, towel, spare clothes, water socks/boots or old tennis shoes and gloves.
WHO ARE THE COACHES?
Olivia Windemuller - Coach
Tim Graham- Coach
Rob Riegler -Coach
All of our coaches are experienced sailors and coaches.
WHERE ARE THE REGATTAS?
Some of the places that we will be sailing at are Spring Lake Yacht Club, Traverse City, Culver Academies in Indiana, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, and Pontiac Yacht Club. Regattas take place on Saturdays and Sundays and we will only attend if chaperones are available.
WHO DO WE COMPETE WITH?
We compete with Holland, East Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Spring Lake, Grosse Pointe North and South, Detroit Country Day, Brother Rice, and many other clubs.
DO WE TRAVEL?
Yes. Most of the regattas we attend are away and require traveling and overnight stays. We are a club sport - only affiliated with Grand Haven Schools by name, therefore we have to arrange our own transportation. We will be looking for drivers (parents) and chaperones for regattas.
FUNDRAISING
All Donations are Tax-Deductible. We work continuously on raising funds to better our team to ensure we can continue sailing for years to come.
DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEERS?
Yes, we always can use volunteers. They can be parents, grandparents, friends, etc. Opportunities include: Regatta Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Lodging Coordinator, Apparel Coordinator, Equipment Manager, and Fundraising Chair. If you do not want to be someone in charge we can always use extra help at practices and at any of our events/regattas.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO BEFORE I CAN SAIL WITH THE TEAM?
1. Familiarize yourself with the Rules for Sailing, which can be found under the links tab.
2. GET FIT!!! You need to be fast and nimble in these boats!!!
3. Attend a parent/sailor meeting and read the emails.