KinderPram is designed to spark curiosity and comfort on the water. While children get their first experiences in small sailboats, parents and guardians are part of the process—helping, learning, and enjoying the adventure right alongside their sailor.

Sessions blend short sailing outings with games, activities, and simple skills that lay the foundation for future sailing. The focus is on building confidence, having fun, and making positive first memories on the lake.

Each session includes:

• On-the-water time: Short dinghy rides along the OLSS lakefront.
• Games & teamwork: Activities like knot-tying races, human knots, and life-jacket relays.
• Hands-on learning: Simple launching and landing drills, steering practice, and “tack, tiller, toward sail” basics.
• Creative fun: Nautical crafts and team activities designed for little hands.

• Who: Ages 4–6 with a parent or guardian (required).
• Schedule: Seven Friday evenings, 4:30–6:30 pm, beginning mid-June.
• Class Size: Limited to 10 students for safety and personal attention.
• Requirements: Each participant must wear a Coast Guard–approved lifejacket. Sessions run rain or shine.

Over the course of a standard four-day camp, students will:

• Discover how wind interacts with sails to move a boat.
• Learn rigging and de-rigging techniques.
• Practice steering, trimming sails, and safe manoeuvres.
• Build confidence through group activities and one-on-one coaching.

Our certified instructors tailor lessons to each sailor’s experience level. Whether it’s a child’s first time in a boat or they already have some experience, instruction is structured to ensure steady progress and lots of fun.

Students are matched with the right boat for their size and age. Depending on experience, they may sail an Optimist Dinghy (Opti)—perfect for smaller, younger sailors—or the two-person X-Boat for older or larger students ready for teamwork.

• Comfort in and around the water, including swimming ability.
• Personal lifejacket (Coast-Guard approved).
• Water shoes, towel, change of clothes, water, and snacks each day.

Many students choose to take multiple Learn 2 Sail sessions in a summer to reinforce skills and build confidence. Each session offers new opportunities to practise, advance, and enjoy time on the lake.

Instruction is a mix of classroom lessons and extensive on-the-water coaching. Each sailor receives both group and individual attention to improve their skills. Curriculum includes:

• Advanced boat handling and control in varied conditions.
• Confidence sailing in multiple parts of the lake.
• Practice races to introduce racing strategy and rules.
• Boat tuning, sail trim, and starting sequences.
• Racing tactics for both local and regional regattas.

As students progress, they will have the chance to race in:

• Weekly Okauchee Lake races, supported by OLSS coaches.
• Off-lake regattas, where sailors can test their skills against peers from other clubs.

• OLSS provides 8 Optis for use at Okauchee races and 3 Optis that may be chartered for off-lake regattas.
• If there are more skippers than boats, a fair priority system is used: Opti Race Team sailors are given priority, followed by Learn 2 Race sailors. Within each group, assignments are rotated so everyone has a chance to compete.
• Use of OLSS boats is free for Okauchee races; off-lake events may require a charter fee.

Instruction is tailored to each team’s experience level:

• For newer sailors: Proficiency in destination sailing, introduction to racing, and basic rigging skills. Students will gain confidence navigating the lake and learn how to complete a racecourse.
• For more advanced teams: Focus on competition and higher-level skills such as wind awareness, advanced rigging, speed and boat handling, tactics, and race strategy. Sailors will work toward finishing at the front of the fleet.

Throughout the program, both skippers and crews develop essential skills. Skippers sharpen their decision-making and boat control, while crews learn to manage the jib sail, adjust boat balance, and support the skipper in all conditions.

As students progress, they will have the chance to race in:

• Local racing: Students are encouraged to participate in Okauchee Lake Yacht Club (OLYC) races, where they can test skills in a friendly but competitive environment.
• Regattas: For sailors seeking a bigger challenge, numerous regional regattas are supported each season.