From Landlubbers to Master Mariners

Torch Lake Sailing School wants to get more folks on the water

By Brighid Driscoll | April 6, 2024

Amy Keller has always been passionate about sailing. “My family are all sailors, and I have early memories of being on the sailboat, but I don’t remember the first time I ever went sailing. It’s just something that’s always been a part of my life.”

Amy is a board member for Torch Lake Sailing School (TLSS), located within the Torch Lake Yacht and Country Club. The club was founded in 1928 on Michigan’s longest and second-largest inland lake. Originally formed to promote sailing and camaraderie among enthusiasts, it’s grown into a cherished institution, hosting regattas and social events and fostering a vibrant community of sailors for nearly a century.

“I met my husband through sailing, and, historically, it’s something that runs in families,” Amy says. “But in the last 20 years, there’s been a real significant decline in sailing across the country. We’re finding that family schedules in the summer aren’t what they used to be. With two working parents and kids involved in so many organized sports and summer camps, we were seeing a decline in sailing in general at the Yacht Club.”

So in 2018, the Yacht Club opened up sailing lessons to the public. “We wanted to broaden the local sailing community and give more people access to the sport of sailing. Our membership is private, but our sailing school is open to the public,” said Keller.

Grab your captain’s hat! We’re getting out on the water.

The Programs

TLSS offers comprehensive sailing education for all ages. Over the last few years, it has produced skilled sailors who have competed nationally and internationally.

For summer 2024, TLSS has planned weekly programming for kids as young as five, lessons for teens and adults, and even a women’s racing boot camp for women who are new to sailing or would like “a little kick-start to the racing season.”

Classes are determined by age and experience level. The Explorers class is for ages five through eight; the Level 1 class is for ages seven through 11; the Level 2 class is for ages 12 and up; and a class for teens is for ages 16 and up. Costs range from $40/class for the littlest sailors to $170/week for higher level programs. The by-appointment adult and teen group lessons are $60/hour, and private lessons are $65/hour.

TLSS caters to all kinds of skill levels, but newbies will certainly have a chance to get their feet wet. The school’s sailing lessons are an exhilarating journey for beginners, offering an immersive experience into the world of winds, waves, and navigation.

Novices stepping onto the deck for the first time will learn the fundamentals of sailing theory, including terminology, boat anatomy, and basic principles of wind dynamics. Instructors guide students through rigging, hoisting sails, and steering, instilling confidence in handling the vessel. Practical sessions will unfold on the water, where beginners will navigate the nuances of controlling a sailboat.

Water safety is of the utmost importance for all classes. Students are required to take a swim test before sailing, and instructors ensure that all students wear life jackets while out on the water. (Plus items like sunscreen, drinking water, and towels are always on deck.)

The Instructors

The sailing instructors at TLSS are passionate sailors themselves, eager to share knowledge with new folks interested in the sport. Head sailing instructor Ben Keller is Amy’s son, and, like his mom, has been involved with sailing his whole life.

“I was an assistant for four years before becoming the head instructor just last year,” he tells Northern Express. “I was three or four years old the first time I went sailing.”

But even all that time on the water doesn’t mean Ben always had his sea legs.

“The funny thing is that I was scared of high winds for the longest time. I’d only want to go sailing if it was the perfect day for it, so I was kind of stuck in my comfort zone. It took me until I was 12 or 13 to settle in and get more comfortable with different conditions.”

That’s all to say he can understand beginners’ apprehension about the learning curve it takes to get comfortable out on the water. As a college student studying to be a teacher, Ben loves the challenge of educating new people on the intricacies of sailing.

“Learning anything new is intimidating, but I understand it because it’s something I went through,” he says. “I’m going to be a teacher myself, so being the head instructor is a perfect bridge for me between really enjoying teaching and doing something that I love to do.”

Ben says the lessons offer more than just technical proficiency. Students also deepen their knowledge of maritime culture and develop camaraderie among their fellow sailors who have a shared passion for learning Great Lakes sailing. And, if you or your kiddo has a competitive streak, then racing is a good opportunity to explore.

“We have several people from the Yacht Club who race competitively,” Ben says. “We’ve had our kids go to regional regattas and race.”

As part of their initiative to reach more people interested in sailing, scholarships are available for racing team students, and the school is working on expanding scholarship opportunities.

Both Amy and Ben agree that TLSS sailing lessons promise a transformative experience, from equipping beginners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the open waters independently, to opening up a world of exploration and adventure on the Great Lakes and beyond.

Registration for summer 2024 is now open, with classes beginning in June. torchlakesailingschool.com/2024-sailing-school-registrations