Sailing for children and young people in the middle of Helsinki
Start a fun and dynamic hobby at one of Finland’s largest sailing schools! HSS offers sailing lessons and coaching for children and young people led by experienced and trained instructors at the most beautiful spot in Helsinki. With us, you learn to sail and windsurf, make new friends and take part in high-quality coaching and an active sports club community.
You can participate in regular training activities by signing up for our beginner and hobby groups. Each spring we host a Try Out Day, but if you missed the Try Out, you can join for two trial sessions before committing for the whole season.
In wintertime, HSS organises junior training camps in Southern Europe.
HSS SUMMER CAMPS 2026: A WEEK AT SEA
In summer 2026, we will organize six summer camps for children and young people aged 6–15 at HSS’s home harbor in Liuskasaari. Each camp week includes a diverse sailing and sports program as well as plenty of fun activities together.
The aim of our summer camps is to inspire children and young people to take up sailing, teach the basic skills of dinghy sailing and moving safely on the water, and offer an unforgettable week at sea and by the sea. We want to spark an interest that can grow into a lifelong sailing hobby – and a love for the sea.
This year, in addition to beginner camps, we also offer one advanced camp for children and young people who already have some sailing experience. Alongside sailing skills, our camps also introduce participants to the uniqueness of the Baltic Sea through various science-, skills-, and art-based activities, as well as play and physical exercise.
In dinghy sailing, the goal is to learn how to steer a boat, understand the power of wind and water, and work as part of a team. Sailing is a team sport – at camp we practice cooperation and consideration for others. During camp days, we also go on adventurous excursions to nearby islands.
The sailing coaching and camp content are provided by HSS’s trained and experienced coaches. Assistant instructors include, among others, the club’s own older junior sailors, whose passion for sailing was once sparked at the club’s summer camps! The overall responsibility lies with our head coach, Lucas Swan. Read more about our coaches here.
Camp content is planned according to the participants’ skill levels, so that everyone can experience success and learn something new. During the camps, participants are divided into age- and skill-appropriate groups, and the program is designed so that there is always meaningful activity and a responsible adult nearby.
After the camp, it is possible to continue in our club’s seasonal training program. Welcome to join us!
Summer 2026 camps are on sale. In 2026 we host 6 summer camps for children and young people at the HSS marina in Liuskasaari, Helsinki.
Summercamps 2026
Beginner level camps
CAMP 1. mon-fri 1.–5.6.
CAMP 2. mon-fri 8.–12.6.
CAMP 3. mon-thu 15.–18.6.
CAMP 4. mon-fri 22.–26.6.
CAMP 5. mon-fri 3.-7.8.
Advanced level camp
CAMP 6. mon- fri 29.6.–3.7.
The price of the five-day camp is 450 € and the price of the four day camp is 360 €
Sibling discount 100€. After purchasing the first camp, you will receive a discount code with which you can purchase the next one at a reduced price.
If you are attending our camp for the first time this year, the camp fee includes the participation fee for seasonal training once a week for the 2026 season, continuing until the end of September.
If you join full season training after the camp (you were not attending the camp for the first time), discount on the season fee 100€.
What the camps are like
Participants become familiar with different boats for sailing (Optimist, OpenBIC and RS Toura that can be sailed by several people). In addition to sailing, the camp has windsurfing, water sports and a variety of activities. In addition to sailing, the campers learn teamwork
and have fun in the water.
To whom?
The camps are intended for children and young people aged 6-15 who know how to swim. Summer camps are suitable for both beginners and more experienced sailors. We take into account the age and sailing experience of the child/youth when dividing into groups. Childrens’ wishes are taken into consideration when deciding groups.
The camp day
The camp day starts at 9:00 a.m. at HSS’s ferry pier (Merisatamanranta, Ullanlinna) and ends at 5:00 p.m. at the same location. The camp day includes a hot lunch and an afternoon snack. Each day includes about five hours of varied activities, with roughly half of the day spent sailing. During the day, campers play games, explore the Baltic Sea, and learn maritime skills in the inspiring surroundings of Liuskasaari. On some days, depending on the weather, adventurous excursions to nearby islands and shores may also be organized.
Each group has its own camp content planned according to the participants’ age and sailing abilities.
Equipment
Campers receive a lifevest from HSS for the duration of the camp. Outdoor clothing suitable for the weather, sneakers, a hat and swimming equipment, as well as a change of clothes are sufficient for summer campers! In cooler weather, they should wear layers. If you have a lifevest suitable for sailing and/or a wetsuit at home, you can takethem with you to the camp.
Coaches
At least two trained and experienced HSS coaches are responsible for the coaching and provide safe and exciting learning on the water. There are learning objectives for each day that take into account the campers’ previous sailing experience.
Finnish Sailing Federation has chosen HSS as the junior club of the year in 2022 and 2023.
Welcome to the funnest camp of the summer!
After the camp, welcome to continue in HSS’s weekly practice! Those who participated in the camp receive the season fee at a reduced* price (-€100 from the season fee). You can also start your sailing hobby directly in our beginner groups without a camp – sign up via this link.
*Discounts cannot be combined, with the sibling discount, the camp participant registers for weekly training with the normal season fee.
Camp cancellation conditions can be found here.
Opti Sailor -group
Description
Children from the age of 5 and up can participate in trainings. The goal of the Opti Sailors group is above all to experience the joy and passion of sailing! You don’t need previous skills or a boat, the group sails on HSS boats. The only skill required is the ability to swim and a life jacket suitable for dinghy sailing.
The Opti Sailors beginner group has two skill levels:
Opti Fun
Start sailing as a new hobby or after summer camp. From this level you move to Opti Sailor level. At Opti Fun you will learn:
- What the parts of the boat are called
- Preparing the boat for sailing
- Taking the boat to the water and back to shore
- Steering the boat
- Basic terms and knots
- Teamwork
- Safety at sea and on shore
- Taking care of training equipment
- Acting as part of a group while focusing on your own task
Opti Sailors
For sailors who sailed in the previous season or have acquired skills elsewhere. From this level, you move to the Opti Racing or Youth Sailing hobby group, depending on the junior’s wishes and coach recommendation. You learn:
- To make turns and sail in all directions of the wind
- Safe capsizing and lifting the boat back up
- Being in tow
- Confidence to sail autonomously
- Basic racing rules
- Familiarizing yourself with the starting line and signals (getting familiar with racing)
- Participation in the first playful competition
The entire Opti Sailors group trains at the same time, but when enough participants, Fun and Sailor levels have their own experienced coach with a junior sailing background. Finnish sailing and boating has granted HSS the Star Club status and selected HSS as Junior Sailing Club of the Year 2022 and 2023.
Schedule, prices and registration
The group trains twice a week for 2.5 hours (incl. arrival, preparation, training and transfer back to mainland) on Mondays and Thursdays from 17:00 to 19:30. At the Fun level, you can come to practice once a week either on Monday or Thursday.
New sailor at Opti Fun level:
The Fun level is for beginners and those who have been to a summer camp.
Full season training from May until the end of September or longer if weather permits. Training 2 times/week: Early Bird 899€ until 28.2., 999€ from 1.3. Training 1 time/week: 499€. Late season start in August: training 1-2 times/week: €499. All prices include indoors winter training 1 time/week from October to April. HSS also organises Crossfit and swimming during the wintertime (separate fee).
HSS summer camps start on June 2. Welcome! First time campers continuing in Opti Sailors get a €100 discount of the season fee. If you don’t join a camp and want to try out in a group, you can sign up for two trial sessions. Contact the Junior Chief.
Registration for the Opti Sailor level:
The Sailor level is for those who have already sailed in the Fun or Beginner groups or have otherwise acquired sailing skills. The season starts in May as soon as the sea clears and continues, weather permitting, until the end of September or the beginning of October.
Training for the whole season 2 times a week €999. All prices include indoors winter exercise 1 time/week from October to April. HSS also organises Crossfit and swimming during the wintertime (separate fee).
Registering
Registration for the 2026 weekly training takes place in two parts: 1) by registering the junior as a member of the club and 2) by registering for the training. Registration takes place at SuomiSport. If you have not used the service before, you will be asked to create an account with strong authentication.
HSS is a sailing club and juniors from HSS training programs join as junior members of HSS. The membership fee in 2026 is €73/year. Member benefits include transport to Liuskasaari, Finnish Sailing Association group insurance, restaurant discounts and the club’s newsletter. We also encourage another parent to become a member as membership fees support junior coaching. You can find more information about membership and membership applications here.
If you register by the end of February, the payment will be billed in two parts: March and June. If you register in March or after, the payment will be invoiced in full at the time of registration. Refunds are possible no later than 30 days before the confirmed start of training. We keep a €50 office fee, which is paid upon registration. No refunds will be made after this, but registration can be transferred to another person by written notification to HSS. If HSS cancels the group, the full price will be refunded.
Equipment
Juniors sail on HSS Sailing School’s dinghy. You only need this:
- A life jacket suitable for dinghy sailing
- A dry set of clothes and a towel in a waterproof bag
- Water-repellent and windproof clothes
- Outdoor shoes suitable for dinghy sailing
- Optional: Dry suit or wet suit (used ones can be found at tori.fi and Facebook on the Optimistijolla forum)
The coaches are happy to give more advice on equipment!
The role of parents
Junior programs at HSS are run by a community of parents. In the activities you get to know the hobby in a new way, meet new people and spend time in the beautiful archipelago of Liuskasaari. We invite all parents to participate, even a small contribution is valuable. It can be eg. organizing activities and events, social media posting, maintenance of equipment or looking for sponsors. Each junior parent commits to 2 talkoo days to maintain shared junior facilities and equipment. You can choose the dates that suit you and work in a small group so everyone is supported by more experienced members. Alternatively, you can choose to pay a talkoo fee.
Coaches
Opti Sailors responsible coach is Venla Aliklaavu. You can find the coaches’ introductions and contact information under the Coaches section.
Top training for the more advanced
Juniors from beginner groups may move on to the Racing Team who race in the Optimist class. You can find more information about the Racing Team under the ”Top coaching” page. All our activities are year-round, which means we practice sailing-related skills both in summer and winter.
HSS has been awarded Star club status by the Finnish Sailing Federation in recognition of our high-quality sports club activities among children and young people. Joy and enthusiasm, as well as friendship and safety are at the core of our work. All our juniors
commit to following the HSS Juniors code of conduct. Compliance with these rules is a prerequisite for participating in the activity.
The Star club status is a quality award created by the Olympic Committee, sports federations and regional sports associations. The award is a promise of quality to current and new members of the club as well as their close circle and supporters. It is an indication of a modern and human-centred way of working, adapted for all people who want to be active, meeting the needs of different people but also adapting with them.
In the HSS junior activities, we agree to follow the following jointly agreed ground rules:
General principles and ground rules
Training/races
- Sailing organized by the club mainly takes place in training groups.
- The sailor is invited to the training group based on their age, training motivation and level of competence. The group selection is made by the club’s coaching team, and group transfers are agreed with the sailor and the parents.
- The coach is responsible for and in charge of the exercise.
- Sailors should take part in training regularly and the coach should be notified of absences in advance by marking the sailor OUT in Suomisport.
- Sailors should be signed up for training in advance by signing IN on Suomisport.
- The exercise/race preparation will start on time and set off at the agreed time. The coach will inform what time the sailor should be changed into sailing equipment and ready to set for water. The coach is not obliged to wait or arrange for a sailor who is late.
- Delays should be notified in advance directly to the coach. On the parent’s permission alone the child can sail to the training area by themself.
- In training and in races, the sailor should wear the vest/bib that the club asks them to wear.
Safety
- Everyone with their behavior ensures safe training and racing in all situations.
- Life vests must always be worn on the water, in the dinghy and in the rib.
- Sailors will only set to water with the permission of the coach.
- The training area is sailed in as a team. On the water sailors follow coach instructions.
Equipment
- Each junior is responsible for the equipment they use and its condition.
Coach, parent and other responsible adult ground rules
- We are encouraging and ensure all children, parents and coaches feel safe, included and welcome at all club activities.
- We are jointly responsible for all children, we encourage and help them equally in the sport and in following common ground rules.
- Parents follow coach instructions for participation and don’t interfere with coaching.
- In situations of concern we contact the coaches or the junior manager.
Sailor code of conduct
- I will try my best to be honest, fair, respectful and show good sportsmanship whether I am winning or losing.
- I will treat coaches, parents, race competitors, regatta officials, hosts and all others with respect, even if I believed that person to be wrong.
- I will not use someone else’s equipment without permission, or steal or damage it.
- I will not bully, make fun of or call anyone names.
- I will follow all safety procedures and instructions given by coaches, race officials, regatta hosts and other responsible adults.
- I will not do anything that endangers the health or safety of another sailor or person involved in the activities.
- I will not use alcohol, tobacco, or any drugs that were not prescribed specifically for me during any activity organized by the club.
This Code of Conduct applies to me as a member of the HSS. It applies when I participate in training, HSS events, regattas, National Team practices and international regattas which I attend as a representative of the HSS.
This Code of Conduct starts to apply to me when I arrive at an event and ends when I leave the event. This Code of Conduct applies to my behavior both on and off the water.
I understand that this Code of Conduct applies in addition to the Racing Rules of Sailing and in addition to any behavior rules that my club or private team may require of me.
I understand that violations of this Code of Conduct may result in a hearing or penalty from the HSS directly and that my violation of this Code of Conduct may additionally violate the Racing Rules of Sailing, subjecting me to hearing, penalty or sanction imposed by HSS.
Info
Responsibility and rules of the game
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Contact information
For more information on HSS’s junior activities, please contact Junior Chief Hanna Koskimies tel. +358 45 6627522.