Sailing at THE LBC

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There is a long and rich history of sailing at LBC. Members of the Fleet have sailed out of the Laurelhurst Beach Club at least since the 1920s. On New Year's Eve, 1939, a group of young men and women gathered to sign a Fleet Charter, granted to the Laurelhurst Flattie Fleet by the International Flattie Yacht Racing Association. At that time, Flattie enthusiasts from several neighborhoods bordering Lake Washington and Portage Bay signed the Charter. Many of them were in their teens.

 

How to get involved

***Sailing Events Calendar Below***

Monday Night Racing! the V15 and Flatties hold races Monday nights throughout the summer beginning at 7pm. If you don’t own your own boat and are interested in racing, the club’s V-15’s and Lasers are available, as well as one Geary 18 (currently out of order). Crewing opportunities are also available. Contact Tracey Peschon at peschon@comcast.net for more information.

Ladies Sailing Night - Meet every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm beginning June 18TH. Open to adults, minimal sailing experience required! This laid back relaxing sailing meetup happens every Tuesday night beginning mid-June, July and August. Just come have fun! Contact Tracey Peschon peschon@comcast.net to get involved.

Private Lessons - Group or individual lessons can be arranged at any time and tailored to any experience level. Whether you want to hone your racing skills or simply enjoy some fun on the water with friends, our instructors will work with you to meet your needs

  • Instructors: Our adult lessons are led by US Sailing Level 1 instructors.

  • Duration and Timing: Lessons last 1.5 hours and are typically held in the early evening after camps or on weekends during regular club hours.

  • Cost: $60 per private lesson or $75 for a semi-private lesson. Fees are payable at the guard shack.

  • Contact lbcsailing@gmail.com to get started.

 

The LBC FLEET

The sailboat fleet at LBC has grown over the years. It all started in 1939 with the Geary 18 “Flattie." In the early 1940s, sailboats on Lake Washington were a bright spot during a grim time with WWII in full swing. Virginia Boren wrote of wartime danger on the seas in the Seattle Times (August 2, 1942), noting, "...when one looks out on the sapphire blue of Lake Washington and sees the sailboats bobbing around like toy ships in a bath tub, one has a satisfying sense of security.”

Our Current Fleet:

  • (New) RS Quest: Ideal for training and leisure, featuring a spacious cockpit and advanced rigging for easy handling.

  • (8 New) Optimist Dinghies: Designed for younger sailors, these boats are safe, stable, and great for learning the basics.  "The Optimist Dinghy, nicknamed Opti, is the largest junior racing fleet in the world and the international standard in junior instruction. The boat's simplicity and stability make it ideal for teaching young beginners."

  • V15s (Vanguard 15s): These performance dinghies are excellent for both racing and recreational sailing, known for their speed and maneuverability.

  • Laser Sailboats: Known for their speed and agility, perfect for competitive sailing.

  • Geary 18: Affectionately known as a “Flattie,”  is a versatile and reliable boat that offers a perfect blend of performance and stability, suitable for both training and racing.

 

Sailing CAMPs

Welcome to another year of our summer junior and youth sailing camps at the Laurelhurst Beach Club. Our aim is to offer a safe environment for children to learn to sail and at the same time, have fun doing it!

Our youth sailing registration will be emailed to LBC members in February each year.

Sailing camps start mid-June each year. Sailing registration will be emailed to members in February. Non-members may sign-up on April 1st.

Members: Go here to sign up for Sailing Camps

Non-members: Contact business@laurelhurstbeachclub.com for registration beginning April 1st.

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  • GUPPIES (AM)

Again this summer we will be offering a class for the little ones ages 5-7 to spark their love for the water. The focus will be on Sailing-centric fun, including some supervised on the water time. 3 hour morning sessions will be offered 6 different weeks throughout the summer. 9am to Noon.

  • JUNIOR HALF DAY (PM)

For kids ages 8-10, sailing Optimists. Optis are boats designed for the youngest sailors and a great tool for learning basics of sailing and gaining confidence on the water. One morning week and several afternoon sessions are available. Morning 9am to Noon, Afternoon Sessions 1pm to 4pm.

  • YOUTH FULL DAY CAMP

For kids ages 11-14, sailing either Vanguards or Lasers. All day classes are open to kids of all skill levels and allow ample time to learn and even explore Lake Washington. 9am to 4pm.

  • ADVANCED INTRO TO RACING

For kids of any age with previous experience who are ready to hone their skills further, and be introduced to racing. Full day class from 9am to 4pm.

CAMP COST

  • GUPPIES CAMPS, $275.00, (5-7 YR OLD)

  • JUNIOR HALF DAY CAMPS, $275.00, (8-10 YR OLD)

  • FULL DAY CAMPS, $425 (11-14 YR OLD, OR PREVIOUS 2 WEEKS OF 1/2 DAY CAMP)

 

2025 SAILING CAMP CALENDAR

Week 1 : June 16 - June 20

Week 2 : June 23 - June 27

Week 3 : June 30 - July 3 (Short week)

Week 4 : July 7 - July 11

Week 5 : July 14 - July 18

Week 6 : July 21 - July 25

Week 7 : July 28 - Aug 1

Week 8 : Aug 4 - Aug 8

Week 9 : Aug 11 - Aug 15