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Youth Group Trips:
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Sailing School Calendar /Specials
See Sailing School Courses or Women's
Sailing Courses for descriptions
July 11, September 12 101 Intro to Sailing I $145/person
July 12, September 13 102 Intro to Sailing II $145/person
(both days for $225 if booked by June 1)
July 17-19 205 Women's Sailing in the Apostle Islands $585/person
August 14-15 201 Basic Sailing and Cruising $585/person
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Dreamcatcher Sailing School
We had fun learning to sail, so should you!
Sailing is really very simple, so we cut
through all the the intimidating gear, terminology and theory and get you
sailing right away. Sailing does not necessarily have anything to do with
fear, either. As a student of our sailing school, you will learn the skills
to meet all the challenges sailing on Lake Superior will present, so that
you can handle them with confidence. We have several different classes that
can work together in a progression or stand alone. Dreamcatcher Sailing is
not affiliated with any national sailing organization, but the skills you
learn can be applied to any other program in the future. After our two part
cruising course, you will likely be proficient enough to bareboat charter
from any charter company, although they decide on an individual basis.
Who is our school for:
People who love to learn
People who want to spend most of the time on the water sailing while they
learn
People who want to learn the essence of sailing, without being overwhelmed
by all the gadgets and terminology
People who want quality instruction in a relaxed atmosphere
People who like to have a good base of skill before going out on their own
(and risking their crew's safety)
Beginners who want to explore sailing and master skills
Experienced sailors who want to improve their skills with our high level instructors
People who sailed small boats in their younger years and want to start again
Power boaters who want to learn how to sail (please bring your sailing jokes)
People who enjoy the journey, not just the destination
We understand that many people want to learn the minimum needed to go out
on their own. We suggest you try one of the fast track charter certification
courses in our area, as they are excellent classes as well and would suit
you better. Over the years of providing day trips, we have had many people
on the boats who were certified to by a charter company, but they either had
a bad experience (our their spouses did) on Lake Superior from lack of knowledge,
or were just too intimidated to try it on their own. Our school was designed
to learn as we all did, a bit at a time while having fun, and retaining it
for a lifetime.
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Sailing School Courses
Any of the elements of the courses below can be included in any of
our cruising adventures and day trips.
101 Introduction to Sailing 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Learn basic
sailing, steering, points of sail, coming about, jibing, anchoring and basic
navigation while on an enjoyable cruise with a short stop for lunch at one
of the islands--included. $145/person
102 Intro to Sailing II 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM Designed as either
a continuation of 101 or for people with small boat sailing knowledge. Learn
more sailing techniques, efficient sail trim, basic dock line handling and
introduction to docking, basic boat systems, basic cruising. Prerequisite:
101 or previous experience. Lunch included $145/person
201 Course I Basic Sailing and Cruising (2 days) includes
Friday night courtesy boarding
Prerequisite: None
Topics: This basic sailing course starts from scratch, assuming no sailing
experience. Basic boat handling, points of sail, steering, sail trim, anchoring,
basic docking and line handling, and some basic navigation are all part of
this course. No trip in the Apostle Islands is complete without some sightseeing,
caves, etc. Lunches day 1 and 2, dinner day 1, breakfast day 2 included. Courtesy
boarding (sleep on the boat the night before the trip free) $585/person (group
rates available)
202 Course II Intermediate Cruising/Bareboat Prep
Prerequisites: 201 Basic Cruising or equivalent
Topics: This intermediate course goes into much more detail than the first.
Learn anchoring, docking, heavy weather/storm prep and tactics, reefing, boat
systems, VHF, GPS, navigation, fog and basic radar use while sailing the boat
for two days, including a night anchored in the islands. There is always time
for caves, lighthouses, hiking, exploring in the dinghy, etc. on any of our
trips .Lunches day 1 and 2, dinner day 1, breakfast day 2 included. Courtesy
boarding (sleep on the boat the night before the trip free) $585/person (group
rates available )
300 Apostle Islands Cruising for Sailors (2 days)
Own a boat on smaller water or have extensive small boat sailing experience
and want a taste of Lake Superior? This course is set up for you!
Prerequisite: Resume of sailing experience, basic sailing knowledge and proficiency
Topics: This course will be flexible depending on students' experience, but
typically will include navigation, anchoring, docking, advanced sailing, heavy
weather sailing, reefing, and weather. It is designed for sailors looking
to advance their skills in the big water environment. It includes courtesy
boarding Friday night, Saturday night at anchor in the Islands, return Sunday
mid-afternoon, meals from Saturday lunch to Sunday lunch. $585/person
401 Course IV Sensible Offshore Cruising (4 days)
Prerequisite: 201, 202, 300 or extensive sailing and/or boating experience
Topics: This course is for sailors who would like to do some crossings and
open water sailing while learning the techniques to do it safely from an experienced
captain. The trip starts with a day sailing in the Islands working on offshore
sailing techniques. Early the next morning, before first light, if weather
permits, get underway for a 5-8 hour crossing to Minnesota's North Shore or
Black River Harbor, Michigan. Sailors will take watches, learn radar, navigation,
reefing, harness and tether, sea sickness prevention and management, heavy
weather techniques, motoring and systems and other offshore. Silver Bay, MN
has a beautiful harbor that is quite remote and offers showers and hiking.
The Grand Marais harbor is in the middle of this beautiful community and is
a fun stop for a night. Black River Harbor, Michigan is also quite remote
and has a fantastic series of waterfalls for hiking. Crossing back to the
Islands the next day or a triangular course will depend on the weather. Four
days, three nights on the boat, plus an optional courtesy boarding the night
before the trip. All onboard meals included. A restaurant meal and entertainment
is possible at Grand Marais and is not included in the price. $1145/person
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Women's Sailing On Lake Superior
Learn to sail or improve your sailing skills among the Apostle Islands
of Lake Superior in a low anxiety atmosphere. Captain Kay Bakke will coach
and guide you through safe, hands-on boating skills. Whether you arrive with
friends or make new acquaintances, your adventure promises to be an enriching
experience. Learn in a cooperative setting with like minded, adventuresome
women. And have fun!!
Practice boat handling, docking, setting sail, sail trimming, beginning navigation
and much, much more. Kay says that being prepared, knowing what to expect
and practicing in a calm, supportive setting is the key to a lifetime of enjoyable
sailing for women. She will demystify boat terminology and identify and explain
key sailing terms and skills. Whether you take this class to learn how to
sail for the first time, take the fear and frustration out of sailing with
your partner or to embark on a new pastime, the memories of place and time
will be shared ones that you can take with you.
Women's Sailing Courses
105 Women's Day-Sailing Weekend in Bayfield
A short evening introduction to the boat, followed by two 5 hour day trip
classes. Learn basic skills on two fun day sails out into the Apostle Islands
with a stop for lunch (included). $225/person (group rates available)
205 Women's Sailing in the Apostle Islands
Stay on the boat in Bayfield harbor Friday night after a short introduction
to boating and a nice dinner in town, Saturday, set out for a fun two day
cruise with the night spent anchored or docked out in the islands. Learning
is mixed with fun and relaxation in this peaceful, powerful setting. Meals
from Saturday lunch to Sunday lunch are included. Lots of restaurant options
are available within easy walking distance while at the dock Friday evening
and Saturday morning. $585/person (group rates available)
About the Women's Sailing Instructor:
Captain Kay Bakke has a life long passion for teaching, learning and Lake
Superior. A retired secondary teacher of 32 years, she now enjoys assisting
adults gain knowledge and confidence in activities they may have thought impossible.
Kay has a U. S. Coast Guard license for vessels up to 100 tons and has been
boating on Lake Superior for over 25 years. She has been a captain and instructor
with Dreamcatcher Sailing since 2001. Her goal is to assist each student to
be successful, improve and have fun while boating safely.
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Youth Groups
Dreamcatcher Sailing has had two successful seasons since taking over OBNU
Sailing Adventures, continuing the 20 year Bayfield tradition hosting youth
groups on overnight sailing adventures. We have made some positive changes
and the trips seem to be even better!
- Groups of up to six teens, ages 11 to 16, to sail with us on a captained charter for three or four days in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. They are accompanied by a chaperone, who is an agent of the youth group organization.
- On this trip, the teens learn how to sail the boat. They work in pairs in a watch system, under constant supervision by the captain, to sail the boat from place to place in the Islands. After a day or two, the "crew" is often able to run the boat all on their own!
- There are frequent stops for swimming, cave exploring by zodiac or inflatable kayak and hiking. Water temps in the low 70s are the norm in mid-season.
- Nights are spent at anchor or on a dock, with everyone sleeping on board. A boat of this size has two or three separate cabins with single, double and triple berths. The captain has private sleeping quarters which are separate from the groups. Coed groups are welcome and work well.
- Groups have lots of time for relaxing, both on deck and down below, while underway and at anchor. There is no TV, only a radio. Laptops, gameboys, etc. are not allowed. Books, cards, games, and camaraderie entertain very well on a boat and after a little while, no one misses their electronics.
- Our groups range from YMCA camps and private summer camps to Girl Scouts, Boy scouts and church youth groups. Other groups are welcome and the ages can vary. Please call with your groups needs.
- The boats--yachts, really--have a galley with stove, sink, ice box, dry storage, tables, lounging, running water and a head. There is not a lot of privacy on a boat, but there are separate cabins for dressing. There is room for 6 adult-sized teens plus the captain and chaperone or 6 adults plus the captain.
- We will suggest meals, but groups are expected to bring food for themselves and the captain. With full galley facilities, meals can be whatever you want. There is even a grill!
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Our captains are all very experienced leading these groups, many with 20 or more years of captaining youth trips in the Apostle Islands.
$825/day July 15 to August 15
$725/day June 20 to July 14
$625/day before June 20 or after August 15.
Call about super-specials in September! Reservations
start in the fall and winter, with 25% deposits due March 15, 50% May 1, and
the balance due on arrival. Mid-season gets filled fast, but we can often
find space for another trip last-minute. Late August and September the water
is still warm and the sailing is great! Our prices are only lower because
the summer camps are done for the year and we have a boat or two empty. Early
to mid-June can be beautiful, although slightly cooler, with water temps in
the 50s.
Contact us:
Dreamcatcher Sailing
88265 Happy Hollow Road
Bayfield, WI 54814
(800) 682-1587 or (715) 779-5561
dreamcatcher@wolfsongadventures.com