“It’s the set of the sails and not the gales that determine the way they go.”
– Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Sailing is one of the fastest-growing sports today. Sail our double-handed Flying Junior (FJ) dinghies out on Eagle Harbor. Sailing courses are taught by U.S. Sailing certified instructors and experienced coaches.
Sailors should be physically fit, prepared for wet conditions, and ready to practice recovery techniques in one capsize drill. Crouching and moving quickly inside the boat is common in dingy sailing.
The pace and content was perfect. The instructors created a comfortable and safe environment for learning.
Meet Our Sailing Staff
Haley Lhamon
Sailing Coordinator
Haley King Lhamon is an accomplished educator and sailor with an impressive background. She studied at Stanford University and Grand Valley State University, focusing on language instruction methods and boating and sailing courses. Her certifications include US Sailing Levels 1-3, First Aid/CPR/AED, SafeSport, and more.
Haley’s sailing journey began at the age of six in Texas, leading to multiple victories in US championships, including the 1988 Sears Cup. During her time at Stanford, she became a skilled skipper, women’s team captain, and sailing instructor, which fueled her passion for teaching and coaching.
In Michigan, Haley and her husband Rusty coached high school and keelboat teams, winning the challenging 2002 Chicago-Mackinac Race. She continued her success in dinghy sailing, winning the 2007 Thistle Women’s Nationals and competing on the US Snipe team in Uruguay.
Dedicated to promoting gender equity in the sport, Haley organized women’s dinghy sailing clinics and achieved a significant milestone when she co-skippered/navigated Team Sail Like a Girl to victory in the 2018 Race to Alaska.
Today, Haley coaches the high school team and oversees the sailing program for the Park District. She focuses on team building, sportsmanship, skill development, safety, and ensuring everyone has fun on the water.
Our instructor was great. Very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, on-time, and consistent. Lots of fun!
Want to Volunteer or Have Questions?
Contact Haley Lhamon
Sailing Program Coordinator
haleyl@biparks.org