Group, private sailing lessons available through Crystal Lake Park District

During the summer season, the Crystal Lake Park District offers private and group sailing lessons, the completion of which can garner students the sailing card needed to rent sailboats on Crystal Lake.

The next round of group lessons will take place 1 to 4 p.m. July 26 to 29, at Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive. The cost is $160 for park district residents and $208 for nonresidents.

Registration can be completed online at crystallakeparks.org or in person at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, 1 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake.

Private and semi-private sailing lessons are also available for those 13 and older, according to a news release.

Beginner courses, which run four hours, are for park district residents, $150 for an individual and $250 for a couple, and for nonresidents, $195 for an individual and $325 for a couple. For experienced sailors, courses run two hours and cost, for residents, $75 for an individual and $125 for a couple and for nonresidents, $98 for an individual and $163 for a couple.

The Crystal Lake Park District provides the boats, life jackets, sailing partner if needed, and instruction, according to the release. Upon completion of this class, students must demonstrate the basic skills and knowledge of sailing to receive a park district sailing card.

A park district sailing card – or one from another reputable organization – is required for renting sailboats on Crystal Lake, according to the release. Sailboat ownership papers also can be used to rent a boat.

To schedule lessons, first complete the private lesson request form and submit at least one week in advance of the preferred start date, according to the release. Forms can be found at crystallakeparks.org, click on ‘Places to Go’ and then ‘Beaches’ and then click on the ‘Boating’ tab.

For information, contact Heidi Stolt at hstolt@crystallakeparks.org.