
Hoofer Sailing Club
Set Sail
Tong Family Marina
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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, but it also 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 committed group of long-time members to add to the great mix that is Hoofer Sailing Club.
News

No Sailing Experience Required!
This year's Commodore's Cup is a 6-day activity taking place during the last full week of August and culminates with a formal ball at the end. This event celebrates both the sailing and social aspects of the club and stems from delightfully wacky traditions formed during the typical doldrums due to lack of wind we experience in July.

With a long winter and a wet start to the summer, the sailing season is finally here! Be sure to stop by the lake front to sail, be social, or hop on a lesson.
Are you interested in working for the Sailing Club? We have a job opportunity for someone looking to become more involved in the oversight of the club and the club's infrastructure. We're hiring a Hoofer Sailing Club Advisor and Sailing Infrastructure Manager.

Join us for two days of sailing on Lake Mendota! No sailing experience is required, you don't even need to be a member of the club. If you've seen our boats on the water and wanted to see if you would enjoy sailing or learning how to sail, we're casting off at 5:30 pm on September 17th and 18th. Hope to see you there!
In summary, effective tomorrow (Thursday, August 5th), regardless of vaccination status, all individuals will be required to wear masks while in campus buildings. As it pertains to the Sailing Club, this means that whenever one is inside the building (checking out a boat, getting a lifejacket, etc.), they will be required to wear a face covering. Mask will still not be required outdoors.
Upcoming Events
E-Scow MYC Race
Event Information: This lesson will participate in the official Mendota Yacht Club (MYC) races. Races with MYC can be fast-paced. No race experience is necessary, we rotate positions as possible.
Lessons will proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, the MYC race may be canceled for very light winds. Please dress appropriately, expect cooler temperatures on the lake, and plan on going for a swim. (Just in case..)
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.
Pre-requisite: Speak with race skipper or fleet captain.
Rhubarb MYC Advanced Racing Lesson
Event Information: This lesson will participate in the official Mendota Yacht Club (MYC) races. Races with MYC can be fast-paced. No race experience is necessary, we rotate positions as possible. Over the course of a season you should cover the entire checklist for a J-spinnaker requirement. Season performance will be recorded by MYC.
Siege, Sassafras and Rhubarb are Tartan 10s, 33ft fractional rig sloops designed for racing. They are the largest boats in the hoofer fleet and have raced on the Great Lakes! Lessons will focus primarily on performance racing, seamanship, and dynamics of a racing crew. Topics covered vary depending on conditions, but will generally include boat handling, flying a spinnaker, operating under motor, selecting sails and rigging, racing techniques, tactics, racing culture and rules, communication skills, and judgment.
Lessons will proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, the MYC race may be canceled for very light winds. Please dress appropriately and expect cooler temperatures on the lake. Dressing appropriately includes close-toed shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Please bring you rating progress form for check off after the lesson. You can find the progress forms and other instructional material at hoofersailing.org/manuals
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.
Pre-requisite: Racing Crew or Heavy Keelboat Skipper rating
Rhubarb MYC Beginner Racing Lesson
Event Description: This lesson will participate in the official Mendota Yacht Club (MYC) races. Races with MYC can be fast-paced. No race experience is necessary, we rotate positions as possible. Over the course of a season you should cover the entire checklist for a J-spinnaker requirement. Season performance will be recorded by MYC.
Siege, Sassafras and Rhubarb are Tartan 10s, 33ft fractional rig sloops designed for racing. They are the largest boats in the hoofer fleet and have raced on the Great Lakes! Lessons will focus primarily on performance racing, seamanship, and dynamics of a racing crew. Topics covered vary depending on conditions, but will generally include boat handling, flying a spinnaker, operating under motor, selecting sails and rigging, racing techniques, tactics, racing culture and rules, communication skills, and judgment.
Lessons will proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, the MYC race may be canceled for very light winds. Please dress appropriately and expect cooler temperatures on the lake. Dressing appropriately includes close-toed shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Please bring you rating progress form for check off after the lesson. You can find the progress forms and other instructional material at hoofersailing.org/manuals
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.
Pre-requisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
J24 MYC Race - Women's Crew
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills specific to the J24, racing, and the knowledge gained in Intro to Keelboat. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing, spinnaker, race starts and tactics. This lesson will participate in the official Mendota Yacht Club (MYC) races. This lesson will take place primarily on the water.
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: Previous J24 or heavy keelboat lessons, as well as Intro to Keelboat
Students who take this lesson will generally be working toward earning their J24 Light rating or have J24 rating and are learning to be more comfortable in a racing environment. The Keelboat fleet uses a J-Fleet sign off sheet for earning ratings to help keep track of proficiency. Once the student has filled out a J-Fleet sign off sheet, they will be eligible to earn a J24 Light rating. It will take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructors.
Intro to Dinghy Sailing
Event Information: This two and a half hour on-land lesson will cover the basics of sailing and introduce you to two of the Hoofer Sailing Club’s introductory boats, the Badger Techs and RS Zests. Instructional topics will include boat vocabulary, basic sailing principles, knots, and rigging (setting up) both types of boat. Students will not be in boats during this lesson and are welcome to wear regular clothes instead of sailing clothes.
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: Ground School Attendance Rating.
The following series of videos (about 10 min. each) will be a good preview of the information about sailing and sailing terms especially for newer sailors.
- Sailing Lessons - The Basics (part 1)
- Sailing Lessons - The Basics (part 2)
- Sailing Lessons - The Basics (part 3)
- Sailing Lessons - The Basics (part 4)
Please watch this video and be ready to discuss the physics of sailing.
For more on how sailing and sails work, here are some videos:
- How Do Sailboats Sail Faster Than the Wind
- Exploratorium: Science at the America’s Cup
- Vector Analysis of How Sailboats Sail Into the Wind
- How Boats Sail Into Wind (faster than the wind itself)
Students who take this lesson will be issued the Intro to Dinghy Attendance Rating
J24 Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills specific to the J24 and the knowledge gained in Intro to Keelboat. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
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: Intro to Keelboat Attendance Rating
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their J24 Light rating. The Keelboat fleet uses a J-Fleet sign off sheet for earning ratings to help keep track of proficiency. Once the student has filled out a J-Fleet sign off sheet, they will be eligible to earn a J24 Light rating. It will take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Badger Sloop Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills learned in the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing lesson. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
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: Completion of the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing Lesson. Please review the Badger Sloop Manual prior to this lesson.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Sloop Light rating. The Sloop fleet uses a series of skill check-off ratings (Rigging, Crew Overboard, Landing, Boat Handling) to help keep track of proficiency. Once all of the check-off ratings have been earned by a student, they will be issued a Badger Sloop Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Windsurfing Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will review the topics of the Intro to Windsurfing lesson and focus on rigging and windsurfing skills. Students should expect to spend time on the water during this lesson and dress accordingly. Most students take this course once or twice before moving on to the Windsurfing Practical.
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: Intro to Windsurfing Attendance Rating.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Windsurfing Light Rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Marlinespike Seamanship A - Knots and Lines
Event Information: Marlinespike A is part one of a three-part Marlinespike series which will introduce background information about lines and teach you how to tie many commonly used knots. Parts two and three are primarily about splicing different kinds of line.
Participants must abide by all Hoofer Sailing Club Covid-19 event protocols during this event.
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. If the event does not appear on the TITU listing, please go to the Outdoor UW Office and speak with the staff to determine the event location.
Prerequisites: No knot tying experience required. This event is intended for Hoofer Sailing Club members but is open to members of all Hoofer Clubs. If you are not a member of the Sailing Club but are a member of another Hoofer Club, please contact Outdoor UW or the instructor to secure a place in the lesson.
To make the class run smoothly, students should go to www.animatedknots.com and review the following before class:
- figure-8 knot (stopper), stevadore stopper knot * and double overhand knot (stopper) *
- square knot (reef knot),
- clove hitch,
- round turn and two half-hitches,
- sheet bend, Carrick bend *,
- taut-line hitch/midshipman's hitch,
- bowline, and
- cleat hitch (clove hitch on a cleat)
- highwayman's hitch *
The purpose of the video review is so that you are exposed to what these knots look like. We do not expect you to learn to tie the knots by looking at the videos; we will be tying each of them during the lesson. Your looking at these videos will allow us to get through more material in the lesson.
Each student will be provided a length of line to practice with and take home. Students will also receive written handouts including a short book of knots.
Sailing Club members will receive a rating showing that they have been taught these knots and enabling them to take more advanced Marlinespike lessons..
* Knots marked with an asterisk above are recommended but not required for one or more Sailing Club ratings; those not so marked are required knots
J24 Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills specific to the J24 and the knowledge gained in Intro to Keelboat. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
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: Intro to Keelboat Attendance Rating
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their J24 Light rating. The Keelboat fleet uses a J-Fleet sign off sheet for earning ratings to help keep track of proficiency. Once the student has filled out a J-Fleet sign off sheet, they will be eligible to earn a J24 Light rating. It will take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
J Spinnaker
Prerequisite: 4 lessons with wind on a J or Racing Keelboat.
Learn the steps of setting up, launching, flying, jibing, and dousing the spinnaker! You will rotate crew positions to learn what every position entails. Multiple spinnaker lessons are required before a rating can be achieved. Prior to this lesson, please review the spinnaker information provided in the J-Fleet Manual. Hardcopies are available for purchase in the Outdoor Programs Office for $3 a copy.
Location: This lesson will meet on the wooden deck next to the Lakelab.
Marlinespike Seamanship B - Types of Line and Splicing Techniques on Three-Strand Lines
Event Information: Marlinespike B is part two of a three-part series. In this session, students will build on the skills practiced in the previous lesson by learning about various characteristics and types of line and splicing methods.
Participants must abide by all Hoofer Sailing Club Covid-19 event protocols during this event.
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. If the event does not appear on the TITU listing, please go to the Outdoor UW Office and speak with the staff to determine the event location.
Prerequisites: Marlinespike A Rating (earned from completing a Marlinespike A Lesson)
Prior to attending this class, students should visit www.animatedknots.com (an excellent resource for sailors of all skill levels) and review the following knots:
The purpose of the video review is to familiarize students with how each of these procedures look. Students will be instructed on how to tie them and given time to practice during the lesson.
If time allows and there is interest, we will also look at the Monkey's fist knot. Here is an Animated Knots video on the monkey's fist.
Each student will be provided a length of line to take home.
Students who complete this lesson will receive a Marlinespike B Rating
Security
Security is the process of stowing our equipment and locking up the Club for the evening. Security can start 30 minutes before Lake Rescue and Safety closes, and fifteen minutes before Outdoor UW closes. This event is created so that the start time aligns with those margins. All paid (part and full time) instructors are required to do 5 nights worth of security per year. Security should take about an hour to complete. You will be paid for the time you are there. Click here for the security checklist form. This form should be completed by the instructor performing security each night. Reach out to the Head of Instruction with any questions or notes.
Once an instructor has signed up for a security event, the evening is their responsibility, and if they become unavailable they are expected to find someone to replace them. On Tuesday, May 17th, any unfilled nights of security will be assigned randomly to any instructors who have not already selected and signed up for their five nights.
Badger Sloop Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills learned in the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing lesson. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
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: Completion of the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing Lesson. Please review the Badger Sloop Manual prior to this lesson.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Sloop Light rating. The Sloop fleet uses a series of skill check-off ratings (Rigging, Crew Overboard, Landing, Boat Handling) to help keep track of proficiency. Once all of the check-off ratings have been earned by a student, they will be issued a Badger Sloop Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing
Event Information: This lesson will cover the basics of sailing and introduce you to the Badger Sloop. Instructional topics will include boat vocabulary, basic sailing principles, knots, and rigging (setting up) the boat. Students will spend some time on shore and some time on the water and should dress accordingly.
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: Ground School Attendance Rating. Please read the Badger Sloop Manual prior to this lesson.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Sloop Light rating. The Sloop fleet uses a series of skill check-off ratings (Rigging, Crew Overboard, Landing, Boat Handling) to help keep track of proficiency. Once all of the check-off ratings have been earned by a student, they will be issued a Badger Sloop Light rating. It is recommended that students take this lesson once, followed by a Badger Sloop Lesson two to three times to earn their skill check offs and eventually Badger Sloop Light rating.
Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing
Event Information: This lesson will cover the basics of sailing and introduce you to the Badger Sloop. Instructional topics will include boat vocabulary, basic sailing principles, knots, and rigging (setting up) the boat. Students will spend some time on shore and some time on the water and should dress accordingly.
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: Ground School Attendance Rating. Please read the Badger Sloop Manual prior to this lesson.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Sloop Light rating. The Sloop fleet uses a series of skill check-off ratings (Rigging, Crew Overboard, Landing, Boat Handling) to help keep track of proficiency. Once all of the check-off ratings have been earned by a student, they will be issued a Badger Sloop Light rating. It is recommended that students take this lesson once, followed by a Badger Sloop Lesson two to three times to earn their skill check offs and eventually Badger Sloop Light rating.
Badger Sloop Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills learned in the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing lesson. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
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: Completion of the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing Lesson. Please review the Badger Sloop Manual prior to this lesson.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Sloop Light rating. The Sloop fleet uses a series of skill check-off ratings (Rigging, Crew Overboard, Landing, Boat Handling) to help keep track of proficiency. Once all of the check-off ratings have been earned by a student, they will be issued a Badger Sloop Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Badger Sloop Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills learned in the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing lesson. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
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: Completion of the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing Lesson. Please review the Badger Sloop Manual prior to this lesson.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Sloop Light rating. The Sloop fleet uses a series of skill check-off ratings (Rigging, Crew Overboard, Landing, Boat Handling) to help keep track of proficiency. Once all of the check-off ratings have been earned by a student, they will be issued a Badger Sloop Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Tech Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will review the topics of the Intro to Dinghy Sailing lesson and focus on the rigging and sailing of the Badger Tech. Students should expect to spend time on the water during this lesson and dress accordingly. Most students take this course once or twice before moving on to the Learner Dinghy Practical.
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: Intro to Dinghy Attendance Rating.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Tech Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Windsurfing Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will review the topics of the Intro to Windsurfing lesson and focus on rigging and windsurfing skills. Students should expect to spend time on the water during this lesson and dress accordingly. Most students take this course once or twice before moving on to the Windsurfing Practical.
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: Intro to Windsurfing Attendance Rating.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Windsurfing Light Rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
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
Hours: 11am - 7pm daily
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.