Club Overview

The Middlebury College Sailing Club is a student-run organization based in Middlebury, VT. First started in 1940, the club embodies the athletic spirit of Middlebury College while embracing the beautiful setting of Vermont. We provide opportunities for all students, regardless of skill level, to experience the joys of sailing. As a club, our members' passion and sense of community are unsurpassed - many of our alumni remain actively involved for years after graduation.

We sail on Lake Dunmore, located just 20 minutes from campus in Brandon, VT. Tucked away in the mountains, Lake Dunmore experiences steady winds and beautiful weather for much of the year. Despite the inevitably frigid temperatures, dedicated members sail up until the lake freezes over in late November. For several years we have been generously hosted by Dunmore Acres Campground and its owner, Neil Mackey. Our extensive floating docks and fleet of 12 FJs are brand new, built and purchased in 2008. Furthermore, we have 4 420s and a Sunfish for more casual sailing.

As a club, we run a three-part program to cater to a variety of interest levels. Every fall we run a PE class that meets once a week, teaching students with little or no experience the fundamentals of sailing. Many of our members have US Sailing Level 1 certifications and students in our PE class can tailor the experience to their recreational or competitive interests. We also run a recreational sailing program that allows anyone, regardless of experience, to get out on the water. We pair new or inexperienced sailors with seasoned skippers to insure that everyone has a fun and a chance to improve their sailing skills.

The crown jewel of our program, the racing team, is still relatively new to the regatta scene. Despite being just a few years old, the race team has rapidly evolved into a strong contender in the NEISA conference (New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association). Our sailors hail from across the country and around with world, bringing with them a variety of experiences and talents. Each fall and spring we travel to 20-30 regattas throughout the Northeast, sailing against the best college teams in the country. Additionally, we host our own regatta, the Middlebury Cup, which will be a Trophy regatta for the first time in the Fall of 2010!

Please explore our website and don't hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or comments. If you're a Middlebury student, drop by our booth at one of the club fairs or just show up for rec sailing with some friends!