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Our Legacy and Mission
Since 1938, the Diamond Lake Yacht Club has been a beacon of sailing in Cass County, nurturing a love for this elegant sport among its youth. Continuing this proud tradition, the Diamond Lake Sailing School (DLSS) is dedicated to introducing and teaching the art of sailing to young enthusiasts. Our mission is not just to teach sailing but to instill a lifelong passion for this versatile sport, whether it be racing or cruising.
Navigating Success: Diamond Lake Sailing School's Alliance with West Michigan Youth Sailing Association
Diamond Lake Sailing School, renowned for its exceptional sailing instruction and vibrant community, proudly stands as a member of the West Michigan Youth Sailing Association. This affiliation underscores the school's commitment to fostering a love for sailing among the youth of the region, providing students with unparalleled opportunities to learn, compete, and grow. Through this partnership, members of Diamond Lake Sailing School gain access to a broad spectrum of regional regattas, educational programs, and a network of young sailors, enhancing their sailing journey with rich experiences and camaraderie. Embracing the spirit of sailing, the school continues to cultivate skill, sportsmanship, and a deep-seated passion for the waters, steering its members toward horizons as vast and promising as the sea itself.
Our Sponsors
George Armstrong
Amy & Kelly Ball
Elaine Balok
Jackie & Mike Bankowski
Jo Ann & Joe Blazek
Mary & Dave Bolan
Rosanne & Pat Byrne
Traci & Ben Clark
Combination Security
Pat & Don Cressy
Donna and Louis Csokasy
Fred Dean
Sheryl Deluca
Diamond Dough
Diamond Lake Orchard
Diamond Lake Yacht Club
Barb & Charlie Gallager
Krista Blazek & Kyle Hogarth
Gayle & Barry Huebner
Marianne & George King
Hayley & Daniel Klauer
Rosemary & Bob Leonard
Linda & Wes Magnuson
Sally & Mike Malone
MEC
Carmi & Chris Murphy
Julie & Chuck Petersen
Pontoon Boat LLC
Marilyn Quakenbush & Dave Trelease
Helen & Don Reynolds
Kathy & John Seidl
Marianne & Peter Trotter
Jill & Tom Vihtelic
Dawn & Dana Wales
Patti & Tom Walz
Jim & Laurel Ward
Harvey Weingarten
Wally & Nila Wells
Chuck & Shelly Wimberly
Bob & Carol Wurster
Our Approach to Learning
Sailing education at DLSS begins on dry land. Here, students get acquainted with their sailboats, learning the intricacies of rigging and boat handling. This foundational knowledge paves the way for swift progression to on-the-water training, where the real adventure begins. Our classes, capped at 10 students, ensure personalized attention with a high instructor-to-student ratio of three instructors per class. The focus is on mastering the fundamentals of sailing in a fun, engaging, and supportive environment.
Location and Facilities
DLSS proudly operates from the front of the Diamond Lake Yacht Club, located at 21268 Shore Acres in Cassopolis, MI. Our prime location includes two long docks, comprehensive facilities, ample parking, and a 100-foot-wide waterfront, offering direct access to the beautiful Diamond Lake.
Our Proud
Fleet
The heart of our school is our diverse and carefully selected fleet, comprising 15 Optimist sailboats (Opti's), 5 Sunfish, three 420s, three Butterfly's and two Motorized Safety boats. The Opti's, renowned as the world’s most popular single-crew instructional sailboat, form the core of our beginner training. For more advanced students, especially those eyeing high school and college sailing, we utilize the 420s – double-crewed sailboats that offer a more challenging and collaborative sailing experience.
Our Committee Members
Amy Usher
Anne Coles
Jackie Comeau-Bankowski
Kathy Seidl
Krista Blazek-Hogarth
Linda Magnuson
Louis Csokasy
Mary Bolen
Rob Overholser
Rosemary Leonard