The Hoofer Sailing Club, established in 1939, is a collection of students and community members working to promote sailing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison by providing the organization, equipment, infrastructure, instruction, and financing necessary to encourage recreational and competitive sailing.
Membership includes unlimited lessons and boat usage. Our fleet, one of the largest in the nation, includes dinghies, keelboats, windsurfing and even winter kiting. We encourage all our members to volunteer, to become instructors and to be involved in club leadership.
By doing as much of the work ourselves, we can keep our membership dues as low as possible. Not only does our structure keep our costs low, but it also has tremendous social potential. When you teach others to sail or get involved in our periodic work parties and social events, you meet new people and create friendships. You also get a chance to learn a great deal about boat operations and maintenance-- a great thing if you dream of owning a boat someday.
Our club is open to any level of sailing experience from beginners just wanting to take a few lessons and learn the basics of sailing, to our intercollegiate sailing team that often ranks in the top 20 in the nation.
See you on the lake....
News
No Sailing Experience Required!
This year's Commodore's Cup is a 6-day activity taking place during the last full week of August and culminates with a formal ball at the end. This event celebrates both the sailing and social aspects of the club and stems from delightfully wacky traditions formed during the typical doldrums due to lack of wind we experience in July.
A special winter seminar is being held on March 6th at 6:30 in the festival room. Members and racers from the MYC will be there for a meet-and-greet.
Agenda:
- Why race sailboats
- History of E Scows
- Why race and E Scow – A Love Letter
- Spinnaker work
- Mendota Yacht Club
- Racing terms and what to expect.
- Tips for crew
- How to get involved
Nominations for Commodore, Vice-Commodore, or Rear Commodore will open February 21st and close the 27th. Be sure to check the Elections page for updates and anything else you might need to know
Applications for Sailing Instructors for the 2024 season are now opoen! Check out the details on the Teach Sailing page for info.
Thank you everyone for your help lifting out boats for this year! We only have a few boats left to get out so be sure to check the lessons page for any volunteer opportunities.
Upcoming Events
Tech Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will review the topics of the Intro to Dinghy Sailing lesson and focus on the rigging and sailing of the Badger Tech. Students should expect to spend time on the water during this lesson and dress accordingly. Most students take this course once or twice before moving on to the Learner Dinghy Practical.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Intro to Dinghy Attendance Rating.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Tech Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Starlite Social Sail
Event Information: The keelboat fun cruise is an opportunity to get out on the water for an enjoyable sail on the club's biggest boats, and meet other club members. This is a recreational cruise, not a lesson. You do not need any ratings to participate. Your skipper will be a club member with a keelboat crew rating who is working toward a skipper rating, under the supervision of an instructor.
Dress appropriately for the weather, and wear shoes or closed-toe sandals.
The boats have cabins where you can stow a backpack, so feel free to bring along water bottles, sunscreen, jackets, or food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: None; this is not a formal lesson, but a chance to get out on the water with other sailors.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Security
Security is the process of stowing our equipment and locking up the Club for the evening. By signing up for this lesson, you will be awarded volunteer hours for the time you are there.
Security can start 30 minutes before Lake Rescue and Safety closes, and fifteen minutes before Outdoor UW closes.
Click here for the security checklist (short version).
Click here for the security checklist with pictures (with more details).
If you have any issues during your security shift or are unable to complete a task, please fill this form.
Reach out to the Head of Instruction with any questions or notes.
Note for Event Leaders: Once an instructor has signed up as event leader for a security event, the evening is their responsibility, and if they become unavailable they are expected to find someone to replace them.
Location: Meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine - Wilderness First Aid 2-day Course (WFA) - 22404
Description: The Wilderness First Responder (WFA) is a 16-hour certification course that will help you prepare for unexpected medical emergencies in wilderness settings. This fast-paced, hands-on training is designed to meet the needs of trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts, and individuals working in remote locations. It will introduce you to caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care.Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations. You will also leave the course with a certification that is valid for two years from the date of the course. The course is hosted by OutdoorUW and taught by seasoned NOLS instructors in a two-day format, from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions, so come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments. To learn more about the curriculum please visit: https://www.nols.edu/en/wilderness-medicine/courses/
Should I take the WFA or the WFR? The WFA is a two-day course that primarily focuses on the basics of how to respond to an emergency situation in a remote area. This is perfect for people who are on remote day hikes or shorter trips with friends. This class really focuses on the Patient Assessment System and how to start making decisions on patient care. The WFR is a 10 -day long course that is the industry standard for outdoor professionals with outdoor schools and guide companies..https://www.nols.edu/en/about/wilderness-medicine/
Location: Primary classroom will be held at Memorial Union in Madison-800 Langdon Street. We are not able to offer housing or camping for this course. There are hotels and hostels available nearby. Food is not provided but is available for purchase in the building and at nearby locations to Memorial Union. There is a refrigerator and microwave to chill and warm food. https://info.wisc.edu/plan-your-visit/
Register below, call, or stop in the office if there are any questions about this course.
Office hours are posted at https://union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/outdoor-uw/.
For additional information or questions about this certification course please contact Dan Dunne 608-262-7445 ddunne@wisc.edu
Hoofer Club Leader Scholarship/Grant: If you are a current Hoofer club member and are hoping to take on more leadership within your club you may qualify for a scholarship/grant to offset the cost of this course. Please submit your application as soon as possible by applying through the links on hooferleaders.org. If you are awarded the scholarship/grant you will receive a follow-up email with directions on how to register for the course using a discount code.
* Several spots on this course will be reserved for Hoofer members. These spots will be released to the general public 1 month before the course start date *
Move 420's To The Farm
This is a work party where we will be loading the 420's onto a trailer and moving them to the farm and then unloading them into their winter storage location.
If you have a car and are willing to drive/carpool to get folks to the farm for unloading, that would be much appreciated. Send us a message when you sign up so we know we will have a way to get folks to the farm.
There is a possibility of getting dirty; consider wearing old clothes and bringing gloves.
Meet under yellow canopy.
Ulla La is secured until 2025 season
This crew will bring Ulla La into the pier, degrig, and faciliate lift-out (on to trailer). The specific timing for the active lift-out is TBD until coordinated with other J24s participating in fleet lift-out.
Salam Lesson
Pre-requisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
Suggested reading is U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, available in the Outdoor Programs Office.
Salam is an Ericson 26 and her name comes from the Arabic word meaning "Peace." She is part of the club's cruising keelboat fleet and lessons will focus on cruising and general sailing skills including care and use of the inboard diesel engine, sailing with a roller furler jib, and ensuring the crew has a safe and enjoyable sail.
Lessons proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, your instructor may have on-land discussions about sailing theory or advanced topics if the weather doesn’t permit sailing. Dress appropriately; expect cooler temperatures on the lake.
Please bring you rating progress form for check off after the lesson. If you have areas you would like to focus on, please let your instructor know. You can find the progress forms and other instructional material at hoofersailing.org/manuals
Post-Lesson Resources:
Catalina 22 Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills specific to Chargeback or Carpe Diem, our Catalina 22 boats, and the knowledge gained in Intro to Keelboat. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Intro to Keelboat Attendance Rating
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Charegback Light rating. The Keelboat fleet uses a sign off sheet for earning ratings to help keep track of proficiency. Once the student has filled out a sign off sheet, they will be eligible to earn a Chargeback Light rating. It will take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Post-Lesson Resources:
T-10 Navy ROTC Sail <outreach event>
Felix and Pete and Liam Griffin will manually manage the sign up list.
Crew <as of 10/17/2024>
Nicola Rikand
Adam Banerjee (hoofers member)
Colby Haas
William Griffin (hoofers member)
Jordyn Nies
Matthew Green (hoofers member)
Dylan Brown
Max Janke
Emory Stouffer (hoofers member)
Zachary Behrends
Lift out - Light Keelboats
It's time to lift out a few of the boats. Scurvy, Vela, Ulla La and Cap will be coming out.
Join us to de-rig and secure the boats for transport. We will need shore help, sailboat help and motor boat support.
Work Hours will be assessed
Spray Lesson
Event Information: Spray is a 30ft classic cruising yacht that has sailed the great lakes before coming to Hoofers in 2003. Lessons on Spray focus on cruising and general sailing skills including care and use of the inboard diesel engine, sailing with a roller furler jib, and ensuring the crew has a safe and enjoyable sail.Please bring your rating progress form for check off after the lesson. If you have areas you would like to focus on, please let your instructor know. You can find the progress forms and other instructional material at hoofersailing.org/manuals
Lessons proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, your instructor may have on-land discussions about sailing theory or advanced topics if the weather doesn’t permit sailing.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
Suggested reading is U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, available in the Outdoor Programs Office.
Post-Lesson Resources:
J24 Scurvy Dog liftout
We will prep Scurvy Dog for liftout.
No experience necessary, If you've never seen how this is done, believe me, it's impressive to see the boat in the air!
You will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare the boat, how to remove the boom and main sail controls, loosen stays, assist the crane crew in lifting up the mast and the boat.
Meet on the pier, look for the red J24 boat.
Volunteer work hours will be assigned.
Move Rangers to Storage
This is a work party where we will be loading the Topaz Rangers onto a trailer and moving them to the old farm and then unloading them into their winter storage location.
If you have a car and are willing to drive/carpool to get folks to the farm for unloading, that would be much appreciated. Send us a message when you sign up so we know we will have a way to get folks to the farm.
There is a possibility of getting dirty; consider wearing old clothes and bringing gloves.
Meet under yellow canopy.
Laser Lesson
Event Information: This three and a half hour lesson will review the topics of the Advanced Dinghy Classroom lesson and focus on the rigging, boat handling, landing, and capsizing procedures of the Laser. Emphasis is placed on learning the finer details associated with sailing dinghies as the Laser’s are a responsive, high performance boat. Most students take this course once or twice before moving on to the Advanced Dinghy Practical.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Advanced Dinghy Classroom Attendance Rating and either a Tech or Zest Light Rating
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Laser Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are given at the discretion of the Instructor.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Badger Sloop Racing Crew
If you have a Sloop Light rating, consider joining as skipper.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Badger Sloop Racing Skipper
Post-Lesson Resources:
Tech Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will review the topics of the Intro to Dinghy Sailing lesson and focus on the rigging and sailing of the Badger Tech. Students should expect to spend time on the water during this lesson and dress accordingly. Most students take this course once or twice before moving on to the Learner Dinghy Practical.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Intro to Dinghy Attendance Rating.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Tech Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Salam Lesson
Pre-requisite: Intro to Keelboat or Badger Sloop rating
Location: Meet under the Yellow Canopy
Suggested reading is U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, available in the Outdoor Programs Office.
Salam is an Ericson 26 and her name comes from the Arabic word meaning "Peace." She is part of the club's cruising keelboat fleet and lessons will focus on cruising and general sailing skills including care and use of the inboard diesel engine, sailing with a roller furler jib, and ensuring the crew has a safe and enjoyable sail.
Lessons proceed in all weather conditions except thunderstorms, your instructor may have on-land discussions about sailing theory or advanced topics if the weather doesn’t permit sailing. Dress appropriately; expect cooler temperatures on the lake.
Please bring you rating progress form for check off after the lesson. If you have areas you would like to focus on, please let your instructor know. You can find the progress forms and other instructional material at hoofersailing.org/manuals
Post-Lesson Resources:
Lake Mendota Conditions
How to Join
1. Create your Account!
Head over to our member site at https://members.hoofers.org to create your account! You don't have to officially join the club yet, but this will be required to sign up for Ground School. You must be a Union Member to officially join the club. Note that UW-Madison students are automatically granted Union membership.
2. Ground School!
Join us for Ground School, a FREE on-land presentation! This 90 minute guided tour and information session is required for all new Hoofer Sailing Club members. Ground School is available to Hoofer Sailing Club members, as well as to the broader campus community. Sign up here!
3. Sign Up for Events!
Once you've joined the club, you can search for events and sign up from the member site. Pick your favorite event, sign up, and get ready for an adventure!
For more information, click the button below!
Contact Us
Hoofer Sailing Club
Memorial Union, Lower Level
800 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1630
info@hoofersailing.org
Contact Us
Hoofer Youth Program
The Hoofer Youth Program offers quality on-the-water instruction with a focus on fun and learning. Courses in sailing, windsurfing, and racing are open to youth ages 10-18 and range from beginner to advanced.
Programs are designed to teach outdoor recreation skills while encouraging youth to have fun and develop personally in the areas of communication, self-reliance, sportsmanship, and respect for others. Hoofers promotes a constant awareness of safety, emphasizes the importance of working together, and teaches students to adapt themselves to the forces of nature.