LMSS Zoom Backgrounds

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We’ve made LMSS-themed Zoom backgrounds to use on your next video conference call, remote learning or video chat! Thanks to our talented photographers Alec McKee and Steve Bernstein.

While you’re at it, check out more pics in the newly published book “Above Lake Minnetonka” featuring drone photos of our lake.

LMSS Summer 2020 and COVID-19 Update

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Planning is well underway for Summer 2020 at Lake Minnetonka Sailing School. We anticipate – and remain hopeful – for another fantastic season. 
 
As you know, COVID-19 is impacting youth programming around the country, and the world. LMSS is committed to our current schedule of sessions and camps, and looks forward to welcoming new and returning students to Lighthouse Island on June 15.

The safety of our students, staff and volunteers will always be our top priority, and we are taking this very seriously as we continue the planning process and prepare our facility.

For now, we encourage you to proceed with summer registration as planned. We will continue to monitor the recommendations and impact of local and national health authorities throughout the spring, and remain optimistic about the upcoming season.

Updates

  • Registration is ongoing for all recreational camps, Learn to Race programs, and Race Teams
  • The newly-launched Keelboat Program for adult and family sailing lessons is live with evening availability throughout the entire summer
  • Though spring high school sailing district qualifiers and national events have been canceled by the Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA),* our season continues via virtual dry land practice, online learning and virtual regattas. Nearly 30 students participated in our first virtual event! 

Thank you for your support, stay safe, and let’s look forward to another great summer of sailing!

ICA Food Shelf Drive

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Click to donate today

LMSS would like to support our community in this time of uncertainty — we’ve chosen to support ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka, and the best way to help right now is to donate financially.

For every dollar you donate, ICA is able to purchase up to 10 times the amount of food as an agency vs. as an individual. As they prepare to provide more canned food to our neighbors in need, they also anticipate an increased need in services for rent and utilities assistance. At this time financial donations are vital.

Please join us! Click to donate today.

Ready, Set, Race!

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It may be February, but racing season never feels far away at LMSS. As a top provider of race instruction in the Midwest, our LMSS Race Teams continue to be among the most competitive in the region, and 2019 was no exception:

  • Over 75 students participated in race teams in the Opti, 420 and X Boat
  • Students raced in local and regional regattas including the TCYS (Twin Cities Youth Sailing) series, US Sailing Junior Olympics, and ILYA (Inland Lake Yachting Association) Championships on Lake Minnetonka and White Bear Lake
  • Students also traveled to events in Lake Geneva, Milwaukee and Lac La Belle, WI, and most recently, St. Petersburg, Florida!

As we gear up for another exciting racing season, we are thrilled to continue supporting our students as they reach for big dreams.

Are you ready to take the next step and give racing a try? Read our February Newsletter for all the info you need on LMSS race sessions and programs.

New sailors and families welcome! If you are interested in joining LMSS Learn to Race, or a Race Team, or have questions regarding placement please contact us.

Learn to Race + Race Teams Q&A Sessions

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LMSS has a long history of providing top end racing instruction and performance for our sailors who are looking to achieve their goals and compete on local, regional and national levels. 

What’s next for your sailor? Our program is organized into three progressive tracks, each one building upon the track before it: Recreational Sailing, Learn to Race, and LMSS Race Teams. Sailors are encouraged to advance through these tracks as their skills improve.

Are you ready to take the next step and give racing a try? Join us to learn more about LMSS Race Teams: 

  • Stop by the Caribou Coffee on Minnetonka Boulevard and 101 either Wednesday, Feb 19 or Thursday, Feb 20 from 3:30-5:30 PM either day, as your schedule permits
  • Coaches will be available to answer questions and provide information on expectations, schedules, travel opportunities, registration and more
  • New sailors and families welcome!

If you are unable to attend, and are interested in joining LMSS Learn to Race, or a Race Team, or have questions regarding placement please contact us.

TCYS Winter Climbing Meetup

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Join the Twin Cities Youth Sailing crew at the Minneapolis Bouldering Project for a rock climbing adventure!

  • Saturday, February 29, 2020, 12 PM – 2 PM
  • All TCYS affiliated sailors, parents, and coaches are invited
  • $12 youth day passes, $16 adult day passes. First time climbers get free shoe rental; otherwise, $4 shoe rental
  • All climbers under the age of 14 must be chaperoned by an adult while climbing
  • Relax between climbs at our TCYS designated hangout space

Climbers and chaperones must fill out a waiver of liability prior to arrival. https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/59f3b44894810/web/

New to climbing? Receive instruction from a TCYS sponsored climbing instructor!

Email Alec McKee with any questions. Happy Climbing!

Scholarship Application Now Open

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The Woody Jewett Scholarship Fund is now available. The resounding purpose of this fund is to make it possible for more youth to pursue competitive sailing by offsetting the cost of lessons for kids and families as they progress from novice sailors to more advanced racing. Scholarships are available on an individual and group basis. See application for additional details.

Scholarship application deadline is February 15. Scholarships are limited and will be awarded based on need and availability. Partial scholarship funds will be applied to LMSS tuition for a class or group fee, and are not applicable to equipment, gear or travel fees. For more information and to apply, visit http://lmss.us/about-us/scholarships/.

Summer 2020 Regatta Schedule

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Mark your calendars! The Twin Cities Youth Sailing (TCYS) 2020 schedule is official:

June 19 – Manitou Days, White Bear Sailing School
June 26 – River Run, Saint Croix Sailing School
July 17 – City of Lakes, Minneapolis Sailing Center
July 24 – Mike Plant Regatta, Wayzata Sailing
August 7 – Brad Robinson Victory Regatta, Lake Minnetonka Sailing School

Additional summer regattas worth noting:

July 11-12 – US Sailing Area K Qualifier, Bemis & Smythe, Muskegon, MI
July 13-17 – 420 North Americans, Grosse Pointe, MI
July 6-7 – GLSS Dinghyfest, Lake Geneva, WI
July 29-31 – ILYA X Inland Championship, Lake Geneva, WI
July 31 – Shino Team Race, TCYS Series *TBD, Wayzata Sailing
August 2-4 – ILYA Opti Inland Championship, Lake Beulah, WI
Aug TBD – Opti Red, White, Blue Chip, Lac La Belle, WI

Registration for 2020 Goes Live January 1

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It’s time to register for summer 2020! Lake Minnetonka Sailing School will go live with registration on January 1, 2020. From beginner recreational camps through advanced race teams, and our popular STEM-focused sessions, there’s something for every age and ability, no experience required. U.S. Sailing accredited, LMSS emphasizes safety and skills development for a lifetime of sailing.

Visit our home page to determine which track is right for you, and to review programs and sessions for summer 2020.

Don’t delay, classes fill quickly and tend to sell out for many sessions and age groups!

Minnetonka Students Earn State and Regional Fall Sailing Titles

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High school sailing fall season is off and running! Minnetonka High School sailors have earned two titles in recent regattas:

  • Jacob Zils (’23) placed first at the MISSA (Midwest Interscholastic Sailing Association) MN Singlehanded State Tournament Regatta September 7 in a Laser radial rig. [Results]
  • Four MHS sailors earned a 1st Place Team finish and 1st Place Division A last weekend at the MISSA (Midwest Interscholastic Sailing Association) Girls’ Great Lakes District Championship in Grosse Point, MI. Sailors Lucia Loosbrock (’21), Katie Hanley (’22), Emma Komis (’22) and Carmen Lineer (’22) qualified to compete at the PCISA (Pacific Coast Interscholastic Sailing Association) Girls Invitational in San Diego, CA, October 19-20. [Results]

This weekend, several of our sailors will participate in the 2019 MISSA Singlehanded Championship in Wayzata, qualifier for the ISSA (Interscholastic Sailing Association) Cressy Singlehanded National Championship in Santa Barbara, CA, November 2-3.