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
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.
Windsurfing A - All in one longer day class
Prerequisite: A desire to begin learning the most fun thing you'll ever do in your life and Ground School.
Earned from class: Basic windsurfing knowledge
This is where we all began. A general introduction to windsurfing consisting of two three hour classes. Sailing experience not necessary, but will help greatly. Topics covered include safety, wind theory, board terminology, simulator work. In this class, students learn all the basics of understanding the wind, rigging and taking care of equipment, uphauling the sail, maneuvering the board in neutral position, sailing in a straight line, steering the board, getting upwind, and tacking. Students will be on the water provided good weather conditions, using Hi-Fly Motions and Mambo.
Read the Windsurfing Manual prior to this lesson. Be prepared to get wet and bring suitable clothing. The first part of a Windsurfing A class is always held regardless of adverse weather.
This lesson meets at the wooden deck next to the Lakelab. You can view a video tutorial on rigging and uphauling by clicking on the link.
For more information on the Windsurfing lesson track, please see the Windsurfing Home Page.
Pirates Day 2019
*NO SAILING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED*
Yarr Mateys,
Pirate's Day is one of the most celebrated all-day events in the Hoofer Sailing Club. Normally this event is held in June, however due to delays in the construction of our new piers, this year we will be holding the celebration in August. Participants are divided into teams, and search for clues leading to the Pirate's Treasure. Much like a scavenger hunt on the Lake and the lake front, each clue leads to the next and whoever finds the treasure first gets to partake in the spoils!
Dinner will be provided after the completion of events, around 5:00
A free Pirates Day T-Shirt will be provided for the first 50 participants to sign up. T-shirts will be distributed to those individuals at event check in.
Additional Pirates Day T-Shirts, and merchandise will be available for purchase during the event.
**** Pirates Day Refund policy****
A full refund is available for the event until Event check in on August 24th, 2019. After a participant checks into the event No refunds will be made available. Should the event be unable to occur due to inclement weather, the event will be pushed back to a weekend in August. In the event of a rain date, refunds will be allowed until check in time on the new date. In order to process your refund you must request your refund in person at the Outdoor UW Office, located on the lake front. If you are removed from the event due to behavioral misconduct, or violation of the event policies a refund will not be given.
420 Lesson
Follow up lesson to Badger Sloop A. This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the Lakelab.
Rhubarb Lesson
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.
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 on basic seamanship as well as learning racing skills such as sailing under spinnaker, fine tuning sail trim, reading the wind and geometry of a course and timing a start.
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
Rhubarb Lesson
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.
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 on basic seamanship as well as learning racing skills such as sailing under spinnaker, fine tuning sail trim, reading the wind and geometry of a course and timing a start.
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
Siege MYC Race Lesson Advanced
Pre-requisite: Racing Crew or Heavy Keelboat Skipper rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
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
Sassafras Race Lesson Advanced
Pre-requisite: Racing Crew or Heavy Keelboat Skipper rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
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
Siege MYC Race Lesson - Beginner
Pre-requisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
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
Sassafras Race Lesson Beginner
Pre-requisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
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
Safety Boat Lesson
This lesson is for instructors needing training on motorboats, members who use motorboats to shuttle to and from the mooring field, and shop.
Prerequisite: Compliance with State of Wisconsin laws governing Boater Safety Certification (anyone born on or after Jan 1st, 1989 must take the DNR course found at their website. LINK HERE) Note: Any individual born after 1988 is required to carry their boater safety certificate with them anytime they are operating a motorized vehicle. Request: Please only sign up for this class if you are actively working toward keelboat certification. This lesson will meet at the wooden deck next to the Lakelab.
RS Zest Fast Track
Please note, this lesson is intended for beginner sailors and will be held regardless of weather. This lesson will cover procedures for rigging, launching and sailing the RS Zest as well as sailing basics. 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.
Preference will be given to those who have a tech rating, a sloop rating, or have taken one of the following:
- Introduction to Keelboats
- Tech A
- Sloop A
- Windsurfing A
The following series of videos (about 10 min. each) will be a good preview of the information about sailing and sailing terms.
- 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)
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.