WELCOME TO SAIL SALEM
A Salem Community Boating Center
Fun, safe and accessible sailing! Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Sail Salem is a community sailing program that conducts summer sailing camps with educational programs for children. Through the sport of sailing, Sail Salem promotes positive life skills, encourages independence, responsibility, self-confidence, teamwork, environmental awareness, and an enduring appreciation of our waterways.
Sail Salem has introduced the sport of sailing to thousands of children from Salem and its surrounding North Shore towns. Sailing lessons and the summer camp program are conducted in Salem Harbor right out of Salem’s Winter Island. We look forward to continuing to bring a love of sailing to many children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to be on a boat. Scholarships and financial aid are available for the Sail Salem programs.
“My oldest boy is on his third year with Sail Salem. It is by far his favorite camp! It will be my younger boy’s first year this season and he can’t wait. Sail Salem… you ROCK!”
Seafarers Program
Sail Salem offers a Seafarers Program, which provides a sponsored opportunity for kids who have limited or no access to experience being near, or on a boat learning to sail. Although thousands of kids live within a mile of the water, many have not been to the beaches or participated in any recreational water activities.
Sail Salem created the Seafarers Program to chip away at the barriers for economically disadvantaged children and encourage participation. Sail Salem is now collaborating with local school counselors, teachers and neighborhood associations to actively identify families who qualify. The Seafarers Program offers a free 1 or 2-week session with transportation within Salem, breakfast, lunch, and swimming lessons if needed. If you are, or know of a family interested, please Contact Us.
Our 8-year-old took beginners camp here and loved it. He is shy but had a great time with the counselors. I hope he can do it again next year. Its great and so very affordable!
Adventure Days
Three one-day programs—July 5, July 6, and July 7. Each day, campers will participate in a morning of adventure and learning and an afternoon of boat rides & sailing. A different morning adventure each day. For more information, see the Programs / Registration page.
The Value of Sailing
“Sailing is a sport and is amazing in the life lessons that it can teach students. It’s all about leadership, empowerment, and respect for the environment. It also teaches teamwork by working with a crew through, sometimes, some real frustration depending on the levels of the wind and what the environment is doing on a given day.“
“There are always opportunities for racing sailboats, which we like to introduce to our sailing students. But then there’s also this world of just being on a boat, fishing, or just traveling along a coast with a crew of often many personalities.“
– Keegan Whitehair, former Director of Sail Salem
Hear more from Keegan Whitehair about Sail Salem during this 2019 FYI Salem broadcast
Adult Learn-to-Sail Programs
In addition to our youth sailing camp programs, Sail Salem is offering learn-to-sail programs for adults, using its two 23-foot Sonar keelboats. Classes will be held one day a week, on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, for four or five weeks this summer.
For details, see Adult Sailing Programs & Registration.
We are looking for some used Sonar sails for our Adult Learn-to-Sail program. If you have a used jib or mainsail that you would like to donate or sell, please contact John Murray at 781.632.8828
Sail Salem Partners with Salem High School
Salem High School has launched a new sailing program. Using sailboats provided by Sail Salem, the High School is assembling a sailing team that will compete in the B North Division of the Massachusetts Bay Sailing League.
Sail On Over to Our Online Store
Sail Salem merchandise is available to purchase via the Marblehead Sport Shop year-round. The online store features exclusive Sail Salem swag – Hoodies, Tees, Vests, Hats, and more. All purchases benefit Sail Salem’s Scholarship & Equipment Fund.
Thank you, Sail Salem, for a wonderful sailing experience. Our kids from California wanted to learn how to sail while visiting Salem. Your program was well organized, safe, and most especially fun. We will definitely sign up again next year. Please let your wonderful sail instructors know they did a superb job!