US Sailing Certification at LMSS

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LMSS will be hosting two US Sailing Certification courses this summer in an effort to continue our mission of providing top-notch sailing instruction in a fun and safe environment!

Basic Keelboat, May 15 – 17
Level 1 Small Boat Instructor Training, June 1 – 4

More information can be found here: http://www.ussailing.org/education/training-courses/

Twin Cities Youth Sailing – 2015 Schedule

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–       June 19 – Manitou Days at the White Bear Sailing School

–       June 26 – Deephaven Centennial at the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School

–       July 10 – Opti Only at Lake Harriet

–       July 17 – City of Lakes at the Lake Calhoun Sailing School

–       July 24 – Dan Shinozaki 420 Only at the Wayzata Community Sailing School

–       July 31 – River Run at the St. Croix Sailing School

–       August 7 – Mike Plant at the Wayzata Community Sailing School

2015 Registration Opening January 1st

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We had an awesome 2014 season here at LMSS. Thank you all for your participation and support! Look to the website come January 1st for updated information and programming for 2015. Questions in the meantime? Contact LMSS

[email protected]

P:952.404.1645

 

Please be patient with us as we have limited hours in the winter months (Nov 15th – Mar 1st)

August 29th – Graduation CANCELLED

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ALL afternoon Camp and Learn to Race graduations have been CANCELLED due to storms forecasted late into the evening. Pick-ups will be at the usual time of 4:00pm (CBF) and 4:15pm (Park Ave). Sailors will receive their certificate of completion prior to leaving for the day.

Thank you for being flexible as we keep our sailors safe! Contact Jess with questions – 952.404.1645

Erik Bowers Fundraiser

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LMSS alumnus Erik Bowers and the Bowers Sailing Olympic Campaign are hosting a 2014 Laser World Championship fundraiser at the Excelsior Brewing Company on August 30th, from 5pm-9pm.
As a member of the US Sailing Sperry Top-Sider Development Team, Erik receives elite coaching and training but minimal funding. He has been donating his time to provide instruction to LMSS sailors in Optis, 420s, and Lasers. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated and would help advance Erik’s Laser racing efforts. He is currently battling Charlie Buckingham and Chris Barnard for the #1 US Laser class ranking. The top US Laser sailor at the World Championship in Santander, Spain in September will be named to the 2015 US Sailing Sperry Top-Sider Team.
Please contact Mark Bowers ([email protected]) for more information about the fundraiser and how you can help Erik achieve his Laser Olympic racing goals.

TCYS – Mike Plant NOR

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Join LMSS at the first TCYS event this Friday, June 13th! This event is open to sailors in the 420, Laser, Opti RWB, and Opti Green Fleets. Check out the attached NOR for more information.

TCYSMikePlant_NOR#1

Annual Party – buy your tickets today!

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Island themed dinner – Live Auction – Heads and Tails Game – Live Music

Live Auction:
  • Private Gourmet Chef Dinner Party for 8 
  • Luxury Boat Cruise on Lake Minnetonka
  • 4 Tickets to the Vikings vs Jets Game on December 7th at TCF stadium
  • Guided Fishing adventure in Sanibel, Florida
  • Disney Theme Park tickets for Four with a 2 year expiration
  • Executive Style Condo at Lutsen
  • Excelsior Brew-masters  8 lucky winners get to brew a batch of beer, eat a fantastic lunch and take home a growler of your favorite beer!Luxurious Boat Cruise on Lake Minnetonka
Parking:
VINE HILL CLOSED NORTH OF ROUTE 7.  A pontoon shuttle will be provided from the Park Avenue parking lot.  Please plan to park at Chowens Crossing located at 18200 Minnetonka Blvd.  A shuttle will be waiting to transport you to the pontoon.

 

Click here to buy your tickets today!

LMSS Party Flyer

LMSS Registration is Open!

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Check out our new 2014 catalog for updated information and pricing!

Competing at an Olympic Level, Q&A w/Erik Bowers

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Lake Minnetonka native Erik Bowers sat down with LMSS last week to discuss his upcoming sailing endeavors while training for a spot in the 2016 Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro.

When did you start sailing with LMSS?
I think my first year at LMSS was 1997 or 1998. It seems like a long time ago however I was a part of LMSS program until 2007.

What competitions and sailing experiences got you to where you are now? Collegiate, High School, Nationals Events?
I’ve raced Optis, X Boats, Laser Radial and Standard, 420s, FJs, and E Scows.
My first big success was winning the 2005 X Boat Inland. This motivated me to look for new challenges outside of the ILYA. Lasers and 420s were the natural progression from there. I raced in multiple high school and college nationals. I’ve also been fortunate enough to sail E Scows with both Gordy and my dad, Mark. This past year though, has been the most demanding schedule wise. I raced 3 big events in Europe as well as my first World Championship. Racing at each level teaches exactly what is required to win from starting, to speed, to decision making, to physical conditioning as well. Nothing reveals the necessity to improve these things like first hand experience.

What inspired you to take on an Olympic campaign?
Olympic sailing is the absolute pinnacle of small boat racing. The Laser class is the deepest fleet contested at the Olympics and a class that has produced many of the best sailors in the world for decades. It’s also the class that best suits my physical build.

Do you have a particular highlight from your Rio Campaign thus far?
I don’t really have any highlights from the international racing the past year to be honest. The racing experience and coaching feedback from the past year has been extremely valuable and will serve me well going forward.

What does a typical day of practice on the water look like?
When I’m training with the other US guys and coach Mark Littlejohn, we go sailing for a session lasting 1.5-2.5 hours with a very specific focus. Sometimes it’s two shorter sessions separated by a 2 hour break on land. We did this leading up to the recent 2013 Worlds in Oman. Later in the day, there’s a 1 on 1 debrief with Mark regarding the specifics of the practice.

Do you have any words of advice for upcoming LMSS sailors?
Don’t take success or failure personally. The result you got came from your actions and current skill level, not who you are as a person.

Where are you headed next!?
I’m headed to Rio Jan 3-11 for a large big event in South America which will give me some experience on the Olympic waters.

Favorite hobby outside of sailing?
I like visiting art and history museums and seeing what antiquities and ancient artifacts they have in the collection. I also enjoy going to ancient sites themselves. I recently visited the Art Institute of Chicago after submitting documents for a Brazilian Visa at the consulate there. I think it’s amazing what people were capable of creating and building a couple thousand years ago without any of the technology that we take for granted.

Thank you Erik for your time and good luck competing this week in South America! Special congratulations on your win last week at the Open Orange Bowl Regatta at Coconut Grove Sailing Club!