About Little Traverse Sailors
Little Traverse Sailors, a 501(C)(3) charitable education organization, has been a leader in teaching youth and adults how to sail for sixty years. Our mission is to build lifelong sailors, through offering fun and safe opportunities to learn on-the-water skills at all levels. All LTS programs operate on the waterfront of the Little Traverse Yacht Club on Bay Street in Harbor Springs, Michigan. LTS is unique because of its three core values: Safety, Fun, and Learning. The primary goal of the LTS program is to provide an atmosphere where young sailors can have fun and
build a lifelong passion for sailing. Over 350 students participated in our programs in 2014. The best testament to the LTS program is the number of graduates who work for the program over many summers. They just keep coming back to enjoy the great sailing, fun atmosphere and wonderful students in the program. Past LTS graduates have enjoy great racing success and the program boasts professional sailors among its graduates. LTS graduates have competed in recent America’s Cups and Volvo Ocean Races. Many local sailors participate in the Chicago to Mackinac and Port Huron/Bayview Mackinac. Fun and unique home regatta, the Ugotta Regatta featuring the historic Tour of the
Bay Race.
Have fun and make new friends while learning to sail in the harbor! Our learn-to-sail program requires no experience to start, though you will quickly gain skills and confidence. All you need is a a life jacket that fits you well and a desire to learn in a safe, supportive, and FUN environment.
Each learn-to-sail student will be working through a ranked sequence of skills which will take them from Seaman Third Class through Skipper. Achievement awards will be given weekly.
Our staff members are US SAILING, CPR and First Aid certified. Most instruction is from safety boats.
Junior Racing Programs from 10 and up
As students gain sailing skills, many will want to learn to race as well. LTS provides racing programs geared for students all levels.
The LTS Race Team (13yo and above) practices every weekday afternoon in our Lasers and 420s, as well as in J/70s and other bigger racing boats. The Race Team also travels to regattas to compete against teams from other junior racing programs around Michigan.
The LTS Junior Race Team (10yo – 12yo) introduces motivated younger skippers to the basics of racing, using both our single-handed Bugs and 420s.
Our Fleet
9 Lido 14s (14ft sloops)
6 Pixels (14ft sloops, with spinnaker)
5 Bugs (8ft singlehanded/doublehanded)
6 Lasers (13ft singlehand racers)
3 Club 420s (14ft sloops, with spinnaker & trapeze)
6 RIBs/Boston Whalers for use as instruction and safety boats.
Get in Touch
Little Traverse Yacht Club / 343 East Bay Street / Harbor Springs / Michigan / 4974
www.littletraversesailors.org/
Contact: Dan Thompson: [email protected]
News Flash: Little Traverse YC has a Head Race Coach position opening!
