Sailing Club

The Hope College Sailing Team is a fundamental collegiate college sailing team that competes in the Midwest Collegiate Sailing Association (MCSA) conference. MCSA is an organization that encourages the participation of Midwest colleges and universities in sailing regattas.

Our sailing team participates in competitions throughout the Midwest in accordance with a fundamental membership defined by MCSA. We, as a team, travel to other schools throughout the midwest such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Ohio State University to compete in a variety of regattas. The team competes at approximately six regattas per season. Attending regattas is a great way to become a better sailor and to foster relationships with other team members, as well as with sailors from other schools.

Practices

Practices are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3–6:30 p.m. Sailors meet at the anchor in front of Graves Hall at 3 p.m. and carpool to Macatawa Bay Yacht Club. Previous racing experience is not required to join the team and participate in regattas! We have a great program that benefits from experienced student sailors and two coaches from MBYC, so no matter what your sailing experience or skill level is, you have the opportunity to learn.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Cappy Capper

Cappy Capper is a nationally recognized sailing coach with over 30 years of experience. He started his career by developing the junior sailing program at Columbia YC in the 1980s. Subsequently he moved to Minneapolis where he was the director of a community sailing center on Lake Minnetonka and the coach of the University of Minnesota college team. Cappy has returned to MBJA to coach both the college and high
school sailing programs.

Assistant Coach: Hannah Hopf

Hannah Hopf is the assistant sailing director at Macatawa Bay Yacht Club and the assistant coach of Hope College’s and Grand Valley’s sailing teams. She previously coached at Saugatuck Yacht Club and Glen Lake Yacht Club. She was also practice captain on Northern Michigan University’s sailing team, where she graduated in 2021 with a degree in outdoor recreation leadership and management.

Equipment

All supplies are provided; from the boats and lifejackets to drysuits and boots, we’ve got you covered! The sailing team owns and practices on a fleet of seven 420s, purchased in fall 2015.

Macatawa Bay Yacht Club

Macatawa Bay Yacht Club
2157 S Shore Dr
Macatawa, MI 49434

Regatta Schedule

Fall 2023

• LEIOR — September 9–10, North Cape Yacht Club
• Fall Fury — September 16–17, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Buckeye Invite — September 16–17, Ohio State University
• Cary Price — September 30–October 1, University of Michigan
• Emma B. — October 14–15, Hope College
• Cedarfest — October 28–29, Michigan State University

Spring 2024

• Laker Showdown — April 6–7, Grand Valley State University