MBJA Sailing

one of the best things about learning to sail is discovering that not everything goes according to plan… and that’s okay.

the wind shifts. the weather changes. sometimes you nail the maneuver, and sometimes you end up taking an unexpected swim.

sailing teaches kids that success isn’t about having perfect conditions. it’s about adapting, staying positive, and trying again. those lessons have a funny way of sticking around long after the boat is back at the dock.

Jimmy Dean captured it perfectly with a lesson every sailor eventually learns:

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” 💙⚓️

the countdown is on ⏳⚓️

the 2026 MBJA sailing camp season begins June 8, and we couldn’t be more excited.

soon the docks will be buzzing with activity, sails will be filling with wind, and young sailors will be building confidence, learning new skills, and making lifelong friends on Lake Macatawa.

summer memories are just around the corner. we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the water 💙

one of the most remarkable things about sailing is that no two sailors do it exactly the same way. each child learns to read the wind, solve problems, make decisions, and find their own rhythm on the water. this quote from Webb Chiles says it so well.

at MBJA, kids discover new ways to express themselves through challenge, teamwork, creativity, and confidence. every tack, every adjustment, and every successful day on the water becomes part of their own unique story.

the lessons don’t stop at the dock. the confidence they build sailing often shows up in the classroom, on sports teams, and in everyday life.

sometimes all it takes is a boat, a breeze, and the freedom to discover what you’re capable of 💙⚓️

the boats may change, the campers grow up, and the summers fly by, but the friendships made at MBJA have a way of lasting far beyond the dock.

for so many sailors, MBJA becomes more than just a summer activity. it becomes inside jokes during rigging, cheering each other on after races, long lake days with best friends, and memories that stay with you for decades.

one of the best parts of looking back at old sailing photos is realizing how many of those friendships are still going strong today. tag the sailors you recognize from the picture ⚓️

memorial day weekend has always felt like the unofficial start of summer on the water. the sails are going up, the docks are filling with friends and family, and another season of lake days begins.

but before the races, regattas, and sunset sails, we pause to remember the men and women who made sacrifices in service to our country and those who never made it home.

their courage and dedication helped preserve the freedom to gather, explore, and enjoy moments like these together.

wishing everyone a meaningful memorial day weekend and fair winds as we head into another summer on the water 💙 🇺🇸

from the logbook ⚓️

sailing camp season is getting closer and the docks are starting to come back to life ☀️

boats are being rigged, gear is getting organized, and LJ Nykamp has been putting in the work getting the fleet cleaned up and ready for another summer on the water.

it takes a lot behind the scenes to prepare for a season of learning, racing, capsizing, laughing, and unforgettable summer memories and we can’t wait to get started