Expert instruction from a licensed US Sailing Keelboat Instructor on beautiful Lake Minnetonka
Learning to sail opens up a world of adventure, freedom, and connection with nature that few experiences can match. Whether you're brand new to sailing or looking to level up your skills, we offer personalized instruction tailored exactly to your goals and learning style.
Clay is a certified US Sailing Keelboat Instructor with decades of experience teaching and racing worldwide. But more importantly? He makes learning fun, accessible, and genuinely exciting. The best classroom? The gorgeous waters of Lake Minnetonka aboard BlueJ.
Never sailed before? Perfect! We'll teach you everything from scratch in a patient, encouraging environment where questions are welcome and mistakes are just part of learning.
Already know the basics? Let's take your sailing to the next level with advanced techniques, racing tactics, and confidence-building in various conditions.
Have specific goals? Want to prepare for something particular? We'll design a personalized learning experience matched exactly to what you want to achieve.
Everyone learns differently. We adapt to your pace, your goals, and your learning preferences. No cookie-cutter approach here.
The best way to learn sailing is by sailing. You'll be actively involved from the first minute—steering, trimming, making decisions.
We create a supportive environment where trying new things feels safe. Mistakes aren't failures—they're the fastest way to learn.
Learning should be fun! We balance serious instruction with genuine enthusiasm, humor, and the joy of being on the water.
We'll chat about your experience level, goals, and what you'd like to focus on. This helps us tailor the instruction specifically to you.
Hands-on instruction on the water with clear explanations, plenty of practice time, and immediate feedback. You'll be actively sailing, not just watching.
Personalized feedback on what you learned, what to practice, and resources to continue your sailing journey. We're invested in your progress.
Clay is a certified US Sailing Keelboat Instructor with 30+ years of sailing experience worldwide. He's raced competitively, taught countless students, and sailed everything from dinghies to blue-water cruisers. But what really sets him apart? He genuinely loves teaching and makes even complex concepts feel simple and accessible.
"BlueJ is set up like a modern 35-foot race cruiser, so the skills and techniques you learn aboard translate immediately to larger boats. Whether you're preparing for a Wayzata Yacht Club crew position, planning a bareboat charter adventure, or just want to become a confident sailor—we can design a program that gets you there."
Whether you want to learn for fun, prepare for boat ownership, crew on a racing boat, or charter around the world, we're here to help you achieve your sailing goals.
Questions about learning to sail? Let's talk!
[email protected] | 952-288-6656