Sailing Instructor Information & Application

The Summer Sailing Program at Seattle Yacht Club typically instructs hundreds of sailors each year, ranging from 7 to 17 years old, as well as adult sailors in evening classes. Instruction takes place in the Club’s fleets of Vanguard 15’s, Lasers, Fevas, and Optimists. Power boats used to support the program range from 13’ inflatable Avons, to two 19’ Boston Whaler offshore support boats. We utilize U.S. Sailing’s Small Boat Sailor (Little Red Book) curriculum, and the Learn Sailing Right book. Each student receives a photo, T-shirt, Little Red Book, and Certificate at the end of the sailing class session.

We teach students ranging from beginning sailors through coaching of advanced racing sailors. We instruct on Portage Bay near the Yacht Club’s main Clubhouse. Our instructor-to-student ratio ranges from 1:3 (Lil' Luffers) to 1:10 (Green Fleet). The classes are broken down into Class Groups based roughly on age of students, and within these groups the class may be broken into sections based on experience and skill assessment. We emphasize developing junior sailors for a lifetime of enjoyment and involvement in sailing.

Our typical weekly staff at Seattle Yacht Club will be approximately composed of the following positions: 4 – 5 Lead Instructors, 5+ Instructors, and 3 – 5 Junior Instructors. Additional supervision will be provided by the Sailing Director, Sailing Program Manager, and Race Team Coach. Descriptions of the various positions below are for selection of the appropriate instructor level, and the associated requirements.

Full class details and session dates on the Summer Sailing School page.

WIth questions please contact Christina in the sailing office: [email protected] or call: (206) 818-0354
 

 

Summer 2025 Position Descriptions & Application

2025 applications will be open in early January and close on May 12. 

Please read the description of the position(s) you are applying for prior to submitting your application



Lead Sailing Instructor
Sailing Instructor
Junior Sailing Instructor
Adult Sailing Instructor
Green Fleet Coach

Instructor Employee application

 

Junior Instructor Volunteer application

 

Important Dates

- Monday, May 12, 2025: Instructor applications due
- Saturday, June 14, 2025: **Mandatory Instructor Orientation** 10 am - 3 pm
- Monday, June 16, 2025: Sailing School begins
- Monday, June 23  2025: **Mandatory Kickoff BBQ** 5-7 pm
- Friday, August 29, 2025: Last day of Sailing School

 

Application Info

Applications closed May 12, 2025. After your application submission, you may be contacted for an in-person phone interview. You will hear back about your application by April 15 at the latest. Certification requirements for Instructor employees are listed in each job description. For Instructor employees, all required certifications must be up to date and submitted to the Sailing Office before Instructor Orientation on June 14, otherwise you will be a volunteer until all of your required forms are submitted.

Applicants have a higher probability of getting on the schedule the more weeks they are available to work. 
 

US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Certification

The US Sailing Level 1 Sailing Instructor certification is the industry standard for being a paid sailing instructor in the United States. The Seattle Yacht Club requires a current Level 1 certification for Lead Sailing Instructor, Sailing Instructor, Green Fleet Coach, and Adult Sailing Instructor positions. 

While you can take the Level 1 class during the calendar year you turn 16 years old, please note Seattle Yacht Club requires Sailing Instructors to be 16 years old for paid positions. 

In 2025, US Sailing will resume the hybrid online and in-person class format. Seattle Yacht Club will be hosting a in-person classes taught by US Sailing Instructor Trainers Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26  (Memorial Day). If you cannot attend any of the in-person courses Seattle Yacht Club hosts, you may take any of the Level 1 classes listed on the US Sailing site at various locations around the Puget Sound and US. 

Complete details, requirements, and registration for the Level 1 certification on US Sailing Level 1 site. We also created  Get Your Small Boat Instructor Level 1 in 11 Steps to help our instructor candidates understand the process.