Sun Sailor 2023 Minnetonka Community Guide | Page 27

LAKE MINNETONKA

LAKE MINNETONKA

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2023

Wayzata Sailing : A school on the lake

Wayzata Sailing has established itself as one of the largest sailing programs in the Midwest .
The Wayzata-based nonprofit organization , which began in 1981 , is one of just 35 U . S . Sailing accredited community sailing centers in the country and trains staff for all major Minnesota youth sailing programs while continuing to create new opportunities in STEM and sailing progression . The school serves hundreds of young sailors ages 5-16 each summer , with college and high school students training in the spring and fall .
Wayzata Sailing ’ s mission is to create access to both the lake and the sport of sailing through a wide range of class offerings . The school ’ s youth day camps , racing programs , outreach camps and adaptive and adult lessons have helped the organization introduce many to the sport on Lake Minnetonka and bolster its belief that sailing is for everyone .
The organization , formerly known as the Wayzata Community Sailing Center , was founded by members of the Wayzata Yacht Club to teach the sport of sailing . The center has grown to serve 1,200 youth and adult sailors each year through regattas , events and outreach programs . In 2019 , Wayzata Sailing celebrated the opening of the Mike Plant Community Boathouse . The new facility provides year-round programming and a classroom-learning environment for young sailors and will help the school ramp up its educational opportunities with an expanded STEM summer program .
The new 5,300-square-foot facility at 456 Arlington Circle replaced the 127-year-old house that had long been used by the center . The main floor consists of a classroom / multi-purpose room with seating space for up to 100 people , offices , a kitchen and a service garage .
Traditional boat building inspired the building ’ s design – with a partially exposed structure meant to resemble the ribs of a boat .
The new building is named for Mike Plant , the late Lake Minnetonka sailor who died in 1992 when his boat capsized on the ocean while preparing for his fourth circumnavigation around the globe .
Info : wayzatasailing . org
Community Guide 2023 | LAKE MINNETONKA | 27