Private Lessons

Private lessons at LMSS offer a fast-track to improvement with personalized coaching tailored to each sailor’s goals. Whether you're a beginner building confidence or a racer refining technique, one-on-one instruction ensures focused feedback and faster progress. Sailors can choose their coach based on experience and coaching style, with each coach setting their own hourly rate. Flexible scheduling makes it easy to fit lessons into your routine, helping you gain skills efficiently and effectively. Unlike group lessons, private coaching allows for undivided attention, immediate adjustments, and a customized learning experience that accelerates development.

Private lessons must be scheduled directly with the coach of your choice. To arrange payment, please copy Clare (office@lmss.us) and your coach on an email. This ensures a smooth booking process and secures your lesson time.

Choose Your Coach

Schedule a lesson with Gordy

Phone: +1 (952) 465-8353

Email: gordy.lmss@gmail.com

Preferred Contact Method: Phone Call

Hourly Rate: $200/hour

Samuel Bartel

Biography

Samuel is the Race Director at LMSS, bringing a wealth of experience across a diverse range of sailing classes. From dinghies like the C420, FJ, and ILCA 6 & 7 to high-performance keelboats such as the Melges 24, J70, and Ultimate 20, he has sailed and competed in dozens of different classes of sailboat. An avid match racer and passionate DN iceboat sailor, Samuel loves to be challenged and to coach sailors in the Minnetonka community.

Coaching Experience: 11 years

Focused on Competitive Sailors: Able to coach all ages and skill levels, but excels in developing beginner, intermediate and advanced racers.

Expertise by Class: Optimist, ILCA, C420, FJ, X Boat, E Scow, J22, J70, Ultimate 20, Sonar, Capri 25, Melges 15, Catalina 37, Gov Cup 22, and DN Iceboat.

Expertise by Discipline: Fleet racing, team racing, and match racing.

Coaching Style: Samuel combines hands-on instruction with a strategic, analytical approach to help sailors refine their speed, boat handling, strategy, tactics, and psychology. He fosters a competitive yet supportive environment, pushing sailors to be their best every day while finding joy in the process of improving. He also utilizes cutting-edge technology—waterproof communication headsets, video analysis, drone footage, and GPS tracking—to provide real-time and post-sailing feedback for maximum development. Samuel can coach from a powerboat or while sailing with you/your team.

Lesson Format:

15 Minutes: Briefing to review the sailing plan and key learning concepts
1.5 Hours: On the water sailing with tailored feedback from Coach Samuel
15 Minutes: Debrief with video analysis and summary of learning concepts

Other Notes:

2 hour lessons are preferred, scheduled at least 2 days in advance

Lesson timing is subject to wind and weather conditions
Samuel will spend a minimum of 1-2 hours preparing for each lesson. You/your team will also be given take-home material that is relevant to the lesson’s key learning concepts.

Gordy Bowers

Biography

Gordy Bowers, Senior Coach at LMSS, is a highly respected coach and lifelong sailor with decades of experience at the highest levels of the sport. A former Olympic Sailor and Olympic Coach, he has dedicated much of his career to coaching and mentoring sailors of all ages. Gordy has been instrumental in developing top-tier talent in the Lake Minnetonka area, and across the country, helping countless sailors refine their skills, tactical awareness, and racing mindset. His deep knowledge of the sport, combined with his passion for teaching, has made him one of the most sought-after sailing coaches in the world. Whether coaching youth sailors or elite competitors, Gordy brings a level of expertise and commitment that continues to shape the future of sailing.

Coaching Experience: 60+ years

Focused on Competitive Sailors: Able to coach all ages and skill levels, but excels in developing beginner, intermediate and advanced racers.

Expertise by Class: All sailboats. Optimist, X/MC/C/E/A Scow, ILCA, 420, FJ, Yngling, J22, J24, J70, Sonar, Capri 25, Melges 15, Finn, Star, 5.5 Meter, Flying Dutchman, DN Iceboat, and many more!

Expertise by Discipline: Fleet racing and team racing

Coaching Style: Gordy takes a hands-on approach, providing constant, personalized feedback tailored to each sailor’s learning level. He has a remarkable ability to break down complex sailing concepts into clear, understandable explanations. Whether sailing alongside his students, following closely in his powerboat, or illustrating key ideas on a whiteboard or paper, his legendary drawings and detailed instruction make learning both engaging and effective.