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, 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
With our recent changes to the club constitution, election season is now earlier than it was in the past. Starting on 3/9 nominations for next seasons Commodore, Vice-Commodore, and Rear-Commodore will open up for until 3/15. For more information about the new process and how best to get involved check out the election page.
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.
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
Upcoming Events
Using the Racing Rules of Sailing to Make Tactical Decisions
After you know the Racing Rules of Sailing, not it's time to apply them to make your life on the racecourse easier and more fruitful. For this presentation we will dive into making decisions on the racecourse with rules in mind.
These classes are stand-alone seminars presented by Hoofer instructors and other Hoofer friends. These are free, and a current membership is not required for winter education, so feel free to invite your friends.
Check TITU for location
DON'T FORGET TO BRING IN A FEW NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS TO BE DONATED TO THE SECOND HARVEST FOODBANK!
Winter Kiting Classroom
Location: Check TITU
Prerequisite: None
This intro class will cover the basics of kiting and serve as an introduction to the sport. Through the viewing of a snowkiting DVD and/or YouTube videos, important concepts and theories will be explained. A trainer kite will also be available, so that aspects of rigging can be taught prior to taking the outdoor classes. A brief talk on ice safety will also be given. Those students who have already progressed to outdoor classes but have yet to see the video are also welcome. This class must be taken prior to earning the "B" or harness rating.
For information on the Kiting fleet we recommend reading the Winter Kiting Manual.
Kiteboarding Safety precaution instruction video
This video uses a water kiteboarding example, but the story is still extremely pertinent & the safety precautions are universal between sports.
Ozone Access, Frenzy, & Summit De-power Foil Kites
Survival in the Ice (what to do when you go through)
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.
Election Voting Period
To vote, please visit members.hoofers.org.
Once you log in using the same credential as this page's login you will be promoted to vote.
For more information, please visit hoofersailing.org/elections-2019
Bi-Weekly Board of Captains Meeting
Agenda and Meeting Minutes can be found on the Hoofer Sailing Website.
Generally held in the North Chart Room but the Union does occasionally reassign rooms.
Weekly Hoofer Council Meeting
Hoofer Council meets weekly from 8:00 to 9:30 pm on Mondays. Your Commodore, Lukas Duddleston, represents the club at the Hoofer Council level. If you had ideas, questions, concerns, etc. that you believe should be taken up at the Council level, please email the Commodore at commodore@hoofersailing.org.
Additionally, this year's VP-Admin on Council is one of our own, Charlie Childs. She also serves as the sailing club's treasurer.
Townhall Q&A
Location: Memorial Union (Room: TBD)
Come join us to hear from the candiates and have the opportunity to ask them questions. This event is occurring during the week-long voting period.
For more information, please visit hoofersailing.org/elections-2019
Winch Maintenence
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In this seminar we will be taking a hands on approach to preventative maintenence and troubleshooting of winches. Each of us will get the opportunity to take a winch apart from start to finish, begin to understand the inner workings and put it all back together with ease. Instructors that atttend this will also be encouraged to teach this lesson to members when not sailing. We will be working with greasy parts so wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Limited participation available so sign up early!
These classes are stand-alone seminars presented by Hoofer instructors and other Hoofer friends. These are free, and a current membership is not required for winter education, so feel free to invite your friends.
Check TITU for location
DON'T FORGET TO BRING IN A FEW NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS TO BE DONATED TO THE SECOND HARVEST FOODBANK!
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.
Weekly Hoofer Council Meeting
Hoofer Council meets weekly from 8:00 to 9:30 pm on Mondays. Your Commodore, Lukas Duddleston, represents the club at the Hoofer Council level. If you had ideas, questions, concerns, etc. that you believe should be taken up at the Council level, please email the Commodore at commodore@hoofersailing.org.
Additionally, this year's VP-Admin on Council is one of our own, Charlie Childs. She also serves as the sailing club's treasurer.
Reading the Charts
The Weather According to Lake Mendota;
There are many local weather phenomena unique to Lake Mendota. This class will concentrate on local weather patterns that are often created by the local topography that surrounds the lake. If you have ever wondered why puffs of wind come down from an almost cloudless sky and hit the surface of the lake, or if you have ever wondered where on the lake the winds are best on any given day, this is a must-attend seminar.
Expanding from the local view, attendees shall get a grounding in how to interpret various weather charts, a skill that every serious sailor should know. The best sources for weather reports and charts will also be covered in detail so that anyone who attends can learn to start looking farther out than today in order to have an idea of what weather they shall face for their sail.
Weather forecasting is both a science and an art. Weather forecasting is also about weather patterns that repeat again and again. This seminar presents both, with valuable sources and knowledge that add to the knowledge-base of any sailor.
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.
Bi-Weekly Board of Captains Meeting
Agenda and Meeting Minutes can be found on the Hoofer Sailing Website.
Generally held in the North Chart Room but the Union does occasionally reassign rooms.
Weekly Hoofer Council Meeting
Hoofer Council meets weekly from 8:00 to 9:30 pm on Mondays. Your Commodore, Lukas Duddleston, represents the club at the Hoofer Council level. If you had ideas, questions, concerns, etc. that you believe should be taken up at the Council level, please email the Commodore at commodore@hoofersailing.org.
Additionally, this year's VP-Admin on Council is one of our own, Charlie Childs. She also serves as the sailing club's treasurer.
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.
Weekly Hoofer Council Meeting
Hoofer Council meets weekly from 8:00 to 9:30 pm on Mondays. Your Commodore, Lukas Duddleston, represents the club at the Hoofer Council level. If you had ideas, questions, concerns, etc. that you believe should be taken up at the Council level, please email the Commodore at commodore@hoofersailing.org.
Additionally, this year's VP-Admin on Council is one of our own, Charlie Childs. She also serves as the sailing club's treasurer.
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.
Bi-Weekly Board of Captains Meeting
Agenda and Meeting Minutes can be found on the Hoofer Sailing Website.
Generally held in the North Chart Room but the Union does occasionally reassign rooms.
Weekly Hoofer Council Meeting
Hoofer Council meets weekly from 8:00 to 9:30 pm on Mondays. Your Commodore, Lukas Duddleston, represents the club at the Hoofer Council level. If you had ideas, questions, concerns, etc. that you believe should be taken up at the Council level, please email the Commodore at commodore@hoofersailing.org.
Additionally, this year's VP-Admin on Council is one of our own, Charlie Childs. She also serves as the sailing club's treasurer.
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.