Hoofer Sailing Club
Set Sail
Tong Family Marina
The sailing club is getting an upgrade! This summer will mark our first year with our brand new piers.
Want to know more?
Hoofer Youth
Youth Sailing Summer Camp
UW Sailing Team
GO GO WISCO!
The Hoofer Sailing Club, established in 1939, is a collection of students and community members working together to maintain a fleet of boats for recreational and competitive sailing. Membership includes unlimited lessons and boat usage. Our fleet, one of the largest in the nation, includes dinghies, keelboats, windsurfing and even winter kiting.
We encourage all our members to volunteer, to become instructors (the best way to become a better sailor) and to be involved in club leadership.
By doing as much of the work as possible ourselves, we can keep our membership dues incredibly low. Compare our dues to other yacht clubs, where you may have to pay up to $1,000 per month in dues just to maintain your membership and then pay hundreds of dollars more for lessons and the expense of private boat ownership.
Not only does our structure keep our costs low, it has tremendous social potential. When you teach others to sail, or get involved in our periodic work parties and social events, you meet new people and create friendships. Friendships made all the stronger by common interests and a shared sense of pride in a job well done. You also get a chance to learn a great deal about boat operations and maintenance-- a great thing if you dream of owning a boat someday.
The majority of our membership is made up of individuals wanting to just take a few lessons and learn the basics of sailing. Yet our intercollegiate sailing team often ranks in the top 20 in the nation. We also have a a committed group of long-time members to add to the great mix that is Hoofer Sailing Club.
News
Join us on Saturday, August 24th, for an afternoon of swashbuckling fun! Dress in your favorite pirate attire and meet us on the lake front for music, food, and an on the water scavenger hunt. Beware though, with so many pirates in the same harbor, a water battle is sure to break out!
Upcoming Events
RS Zest Fast Track
Please note, this lesson is intended for those who already have their Tech Light rating and are looking to learn the specifics of the Zests. This lesson will cover procedures for rigging, launching and sailing the RS Zest. This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the Lakelab.
Click here to view some of the skills you should be familiar with from your Tech lessons as they will be further applied in the Zests.
Tech B
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the Lakelab. The Tech B lesson is geared for those looking for a Tech light rating. Oftentimes, more than one is required before a rating is achieved. This lesson will take place mostly on the water, so be sure to dress in appropriate clothing that can get wet. Wetsuits are available to be lent out during cold water/weather conditions. You must have taken a Tech A before taking this lesson. Click here to view some of the skills you will be practicing during the Tech B.
Commodore Office Hours
Come swing by the Mendota Lounge to talk about all things sailing!
I'm holding (very informal) office hours for anyone and everyone to swing by and ask questions about the club in a more personal setting. If you cannot make it, e-mail me at commodore@hoofersailing.org to set up a different time.
420 Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will cover rigging, boat handling, landing, capsizing and crew overboard procedures. Along with this, emphasis is placed on learning the finer details associated with sailing dinghies as the 420’s are a responsive, two person, high performance boat. Once all skills have been mastered, completion of this lesson will result in a 420 Light rating.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Tech light rating and have taken Advanced Dinghy Classroom. Please review the 420 Manual prior to this lesson.
RS Zest B
The Zest B lesson is geared for those looking for a Zest light rating. Occasionally, more than one is required before a rating is achieved. This lesson will take place mostly on the water, so be sure to dress in appropriate clothing that can get wet. Wetsuits are available to be lent out during cold water/weather conditions. You must have taken a Zest A before taking this lesson. This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the Lakelab.
Windsurfing B
Prerequisite: Windsurfing A
Earned from this class: Windsurfing Practice or Windsurfing Light rating.
Class Overview: This is where we all began. A general introduction to windsurfing consisting of two, three hour classes. Sailing experience is not necessary, but will help. Topics covered include safety, stewardship of equipment, wind theory, brief terminology, simulator work, rigging, and on-the-water skill development.
In this class, students learn all the basics of understanding the wind, rigging sails and taking care of equipment, uphauling the sail, maneuvering the windsurfer in neutral position, sailing in a straight line, steering the board, getting upwind, and tacking. Students will be on the water both days provided the weather is good, using beginning windsurfing boards.
Preparing for Your Lesson:
· Be prepared to get wet! Bring suitable clothing (shorts and shirt to get wet, a windbreaker/sweatshirt on windier or cooler days).
· Have a lifejacket and be checked out through Outdoor UW before class start.
· Meet at the Lakelab next to the Yellow Canopy at the Hoofer Lakefront.
· The Windsurfing B class is usually held in all weather conditions, except solid blue flag conditions. · Before the lesson, please review the first six windsurfing instruction videos (which are about 15 minutes total), and look at the Windsurfing Manual (especially page 14-Uphauling Your Sail). You can view a video tutorial on rigging and uphauling by clicking on the link. For more information on Windsurfing, please see the Windsurfing Home Page.
Welcome to your windsurfing lesson.
Spray
Pre-requisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
Suggested reading is U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, available in the Outdoor Programs Office.
Spray is a 30 ft classic cruising yacht that has sailed the great lakes before coming to Hoofers in 2003. Lessons on Spray focus on cruising and general sailing skills including care and use of the inboard diesel engine, sailing with a roller furler jib, and ensuring the crew has a safe and enjoyable sail.
Lessons proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, your instructor may have on-land discussions about sailing theory or advanced topics if the weather doesn’t permit sailing. Dress appropriately; expect cooler temperatures on the lake.
Please bring you rating progress form for check off after the lesson. If you have areas you would like to focus on, please let your instructor know. You can find the progress forms and other instructional material at hoofersailing.org/manuals
E Scow
Prerequisite: 420, Laser, or C Scow heavy rating, or permission of the instructor. Read The Scow Manual prior to this lesson. This lesson will meet at the wooden deck by the Lakelab.
Tech Racing!
The Friday night Tech racing series is ON!
All levels of sailors are welcomed. Racing is one of the best ways to hone your sailing skills!
Singing up guarantees a boat. Drop-ins are welcome, but we cannot promise boat availability. Come at 5:00 PM if you want to have a pre briefing before the race with info about trimming, tactics, engagement rules etc., or simply check out the boat for "racing" and get to the start line by 5:30 PM.
After priority is given to those who signed up, boats will be distributed to drop-ins.
Friday Night Social *Volunteer Hours*
Hoofers,
The Hoofer Sailing Club Social Chair, is looking for volunteers to assistance with tasks during the Friday Night Socials.
3 Volunteer Hours!!
Duties will include:
- Bring out Condiments, Plates, Napkins, Silverware
- Fill and Bring out Water Cooler Jug
- Work with Catering to set up Social Banquet Tables
- Contacting catering during the event, to refil ingrediants and swap out hot trays.
- Clean up canopy area after the social is over at 9:00
- Monitor the attendee list of Friday Night Social participants
Spray Starlight
This is a basic cruising course that will give you a chance to see what cruising at night is like
Prerequisite: Sailing Club Ground School, Intro to Sailing, & INTRO TO KEELBOAT SAILING or a Badger Sloop Light Rating
Spray is 30 foot classic cruising yacht and is part of the Cruising Keelboat fleet. Lessons focus on developing crewing and skippering skills, including judgment, communication skills, operating under diesel power, boat maintenance, anchoring, man-overboard recovery, nautical customs, and sail selection. Spray is rigged for cruising, a distinct sailing culture that prioritizes comfort, entertaining and enjoyability in a responsible manner. You will learn to check and maintain systems essential for any voyager across Lake Mendota or the blue Pacific!
Recommend reading: US Sailing Basic Cruising (available in the Boathouse).
The lesson will meet by the Memorial Union Boathouse. Lessons proceed in all weather except thunderstorms. Dress appropriately; expect cooler temperatures on the lake.
The Boathouse closes at sunset; use the lockers in the tunnel!
Badger Sloop B
Follow up lesson to Badger Sloop A. This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the Lakelab.
C Scow
Prerequisite: 420/Laser/Byte light rating. Review the Scow Manual prior to this lesson. This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lakelab.
Knotty Rascal
Pre-requisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
Suggested reading is U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, available in the Outdoor Programs Office.
Knotty Rascal is a Precision 27 and is part of the Cruising Keelboat fleet. Lessons on Knotty Rascal will focus on cruising and general sailing skills including care and use of the inboard diesel engine, using wheel steering, sailing with a roller furler jib, and ensuring the crew has a safe and enjoyable sail.
Lessons proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, your instructor may have on-land discussions about sailing theory or advanced topics if the weather doesn’t permit sailing. Dress appropriately; expect cooler temperatures on the lake.
Please bring you rating progress form for check off after the lesson. If you have areas you would like to focus on, please let your instructor know. You can find the progress forms and other instructional material at hoofersailing.org/manuals
Spray
Pre-requisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
Suggested reading is U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, available in the Outdoor Programs Office.
Spray is a 30 ft classic cruising yacht that has sailed the great lakes before coming to Hoofers in 2003. Lessons on Spray focus on cruising and general sailing skills including care and use of the inboard diesel engine, sailing with a roller furler jib, and ensuring the crew has a safe and enjoyable sail.
Lessons proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, your instructor may have on-land discussions about sailing theory or advanced topics if the weather doesn’t permit sailing. Dress appropriately; expect cooler temperatures on the lake.
Please bring you rating progress form for check off after the lesson. If you have areas you would like to focus on, please let your instructor know. You can find the progress forms and other instructional material at hoofersailing.org/manuals
420 Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will cover rigging, boat handling, landing, capsizing and crew overboard procedures. Along with this, emphasis is placed on learning the finer details associated with sailing dinghies as the 420’s are a responsive, two person, high performance boat. Once all skills have been mastered, completion of this lesson will result in a 420 Light rating.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Tech light rating and have taken Advanced Dinghy Classroom. Please review the 420 Manual prior to this lesson.
E Scow
Prerequisite: 420, Laser, or C Scow heavy rating, or permission of the instructor. Read The Scow Manual prior to this lesson. This lesson will meet at the wooden deck by the Lakelab.
Ground School
Event Information: Don’t know how to sail? Come join us! Our Ground School lesson is an introductory and informational course about the Hoofer Sailing Club and all it has to offer. No membership is required to sign up for this course, though one can be purchased afterwards for access to all lessons.
About the Club: The Hoofer Sailing Club, established in 1939, is a collection of students and community members working together to maintain a fleet of boats for recreational and competitive sailing. Membership includes unlimited lessons and boat usage. Our fleet, one of the largest in the nation, includes dinghies, keelboats, windsurfing and even winter kiting. The Hoofer Sailing Club is an association of individuals working together to maintain a fleet of boats for recreational and competitive sailing, and to offer a top-notch instruction program. More information can be found online here.
Location: Check the Today in the Union website or the digital signs in Memorial Union on the day of the lesson. Note that the event start time may appear earlier on the TITU listing but will begin at the time shown here.
Lake Mendota Conditions
How to Join
1. Create your Account!
Head over to our member site at https://members.hoofers.org to create your account! You don't have to officially join the club yet, but this will be required to sign up for Ground School. You must be a Union Member to officially join the club. Note that UW-Madison students are automatically granted Union membership.
2. Ground School!
Join us for Ground School, a FREE on-land presentation! This 90 minute guided tour and information session is required for all new Hoofer Sailing Club members. Ground School is available to Hoofer Sailing Club members, as well as to the broader campus community. Sign up here!
3. Sign Up for Events!
Once you've joined the club, you can search for events and sign up from the member site. Pick your favorite event, sign up, and get ready for an adventure!
For more information, click the button below!
Contact Us
Hoofer Sailing Club
Memorial Union, Lower Level
800 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1630
info@hoofersailing.org
Contact Us
Hoofer Youth Program
The Hoofer Youth Program offers quality on-the-water instruction with a focus on fun and learning. Courses in sailing, windsurfing, and racing are open to youth ages 10-18 and range from beginner to advanced.
Programs are designed to teach outdoor recreation skills while encouraging youth to have fun and develop personally in the areas of communication, self-reliance, sportsmanship, and respect for others. Hoofers promotes a constant awareness of safety, emphasizes the importance of working together, and teaches students to adapt themselves to the forces of nature.