The HLK Youth Sail Training Program in a Nutshell

HLK is proud to offer its 2026-27 school sailing program at Texas A&M Galveston (TAMUG) Teichman campus.  Co-located with the TAMUG college sailing team(@tamugsailing), HLK provides youth sail instruction based on the US Sailing curriculum and STEM program to motivated youth between the ages of 8-18.  Read about our school's curriculum, leadership and philosophy here.  The course consists of two terms, Fall and Spring, roughly corresponding to the GISD fall and spring calendar.  The Fall term is from August 24th, 2026 to December 15th, 2026.  During this term HLK will introduce your child sailor to safe and effective sailing in small boats, water safety, and the STEM concepts behind sailing.

Participants in the HLK Sailing Youth program are expected to attend a majority of the sessions in the season which is primarily Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during the school term irrespective of weather.  Inclement weather days are spent on training/STEM activities and club maintenance and clean up.  The HLK "season" ends with a small "boat parade" where the students will demonstrate their skills to family and friends.  Junior sailors with the requisite skills, dedication, and temperament may be recruited to the HLK racing program.  There may be one or more HLK sponsored field trips during the school term as well - involving big boat sailing and/or trips to regattas, depending on interest.

The cost is $250.00 per term, per family, all kids are included.  This cost is 100% allocated towards third party and equipment costs of HLK.  All HLK staff are 100% volunteer.  Your tuition payment represents HLK's costs for facility use, insurance, and equipment.

Register online here.  Make sure to specify how many kids and their ages you are registering and pay the $25.00 deposit.  We will reach out via email with the required forms.

• How much does it cost? - The cost of the program is $250.00 per family, per term.  This includes any multiple of children from one family unit.  This covers HLK costs related to use of the facility, insurance and equipment. 
• Where is. it? - The HLK Program meets every Tuesday and Thursday at the TAMUG Teichman sail facility on Offatts bayou.  RAIN OR SHINE.  No sail days will be used for training/clean/up and instruction.  The actual sailing takes place in and around the Offatts Bayou sandbar area and the TAMUG sailing team practice area.
• When is it? -  Every Tuesday and Thursday at 3 p.m. till 6 p.m.  The Term runs from Monday, August 24th, 2026 to Tuesday, December 15th, 2026.  The drop off is a bracket time, do not worry if your child is dismissed at 3:30 and arrives around 4.  3-78 are "club hours" and reflect arrival based on dismissal.  On "sail days" pickup may be as late as 7 pm.  These are "club" hours and it is normal for children to arrive in the 3:30 to 4:00 pm. range due to school dismissals.  Similarly, dismissal target is 7 pm.
• Do you provide transportation?  No.  HLK does not provide tranportation.
• How do I sign up?  Register online here.  Make sure to specify how many kids and their ages you are registering and pay the $25.00 deposit.  We will reach out via email with the required forms..
• How do I get more information and or talk to a live person about this?  You can reach our on our website contacts, email admin@hlksailing.org, or call directly at (409) 770-3271 (Niles) or (409) 457-4637 (Travis).  The best way to learn about the program generally is the website at www.hlksailing.org
• Who are the teachers? Visit here for general staff bios.  The primary instructors will be Travis Lee, Chris Kemp, Niles Hooper, Mike Janota, and David Gaston.  Specific racing based instruction may be given by local volunteers racers from the variety of clubs with active racing programs such as GBC, HYC, and LYC.
• Does my kid need to know how to swim? All on water activities will be conducted in PFDs; however, some level of swimming ability is highly advised.  All students will be assessed on the first day and will need to be able to jump in and return to the dock wearing a properly fitting PFD.
• My kid is in ACE/TOR - can they do this and does that cover the cost? Maybe.  We have reached out to a few GISD contacts to gauge interest in a school sailing option for TOR/ACE.  Stay tuned and if you want ACE/TOR based participation please contact me at 409-770-3271 to help us get to the right POC.
• Do you offer financial assistance/scholarships?  We sure do.  Just reach out and we can discuss.