» About Us

MAP | MISSION | GOALS | QUICKFACTS | DIRECTOR BIO

Building the Future of Sailing,
Building the Future Through Sailing

Since 1938, the Geneva Lake Sailing School has served the community with youth sailing programs that emphasize self-reliance, confidence and teamwork.

PHOTO: The Geneva Lake Sailing School lakefront.

Our Mission

We are a non-profit school dedicated to enhancing personal development through teaching the skills of sailing. Using the unique resource of Geneva Lake, we provide the means to advance sailors to their full potential resulting in life-long enjoyment of the sport of sailing and racing. We are committed to creating an atmosphere where sportsmanship, teamwork and competitive spirit can all be enjoyed.

GLSS sailors are winners when they try to do their best.

Our Goals

Function With:
- Safety
- Fun
- Education

Inspire Personal Development:
- Self-Confidence
- Self-Reliance
- Teamwork
- Environmental Appreciation

Teach Sailing Education:
- Boathandling
- Seamanship
- Respect for Equipment
- Progression

Promote Sportsmanship:
- Respect for others
- Respect for property
- Respect for self

QUICKFACTS

- Name: Geneva Lake Sailing School, Inc.
- Location: 1250 South Lakeshore Dr., Fontana, Wisconsin
- Type: Non-Profit Community Educational Facility, 501(c)3
- Origin: Organized 1938, Incorporated in 1953
- Service: Community Sailing Programs, Yacht Club Junior Racing program
- Youth Sailing Discovery: 7-17 years old
- Youth Racing Teams: 8-17 years old
- Adult Sailing Discovery
- Capacity: 250-300 Youths; 30 adults; 300 hosted in Regattas
- Leadership: 11-member Board of Directors
- Staff: 1 Executive Director (full-time); 9 Instructors (seasonal); 4 Junior Instructors
- Equipment: 24 Pram dinghies; 6 Optimist dinghies; 8 X-boats; 6 C420s, 7 Safety boats
- Operating Budget: $120,000

DIRECTOR BIO

Kevin Jewett comes to the Lake Geneva Sailing School with a strong background in competitive racing and coaching. Kevin has been a member of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association's All-American Team, and the US Sailing Team and is a former ILYA Champion. He was US head coach at Youth World Championships in 1997 and currently coaches at the University of WI .

He began teaching sailing at the age of 16 on Lake Minnetonka , where he grew up, and was the head Racing instructor there at 18. In his college years he helped develop a program on Lake Calhoun , in Minneapolis . Today that program works with over 300 kids a summer, many of whom are taught by Kevin's students. After graduating from college Kevin worked as the sailing and windsurfing team coach at Eckerd College in FL, an experience that later inspired him to try out for the Olympics on a sailboard. As the Head Racing coach at the GLSS in 2004, the GLSS X-boaters place first and second in the senior fleet at the ILYA Championships.

After his last post at the GLSS Kevin went into financial services as an advisor with AmeriPrise Financial. After three years in the business Kevin began searching for opportunities to get back to his first love, sailing. To make a long story short Jeff's departure came at a perfect time for Kevin as he realized it was time to get back to what he could do best. As the new Executive Director of sailing at the LGYC and GLSS Kevin is excited to continue the excellent junior sailing programs in the Optimist, 420's, X-Boat's and Lasers. He is also looking forward to bringing his experience to the High School program and is looking for ways to offer new classes in the Open Bic and Windsurfing.

Kevin will be working with the Board of Directors and the great instructors of the GLSS to provide the highest quality sailing instruction focused on safety and fun for all involved.

Parents, Students and Members are all encouraged to get to know Kevin he works to share his passion for the sport of sailing.

EXPERIENCE:

- Executive Director: Geneva Lake Sailing School, 2008
- Duties: Overall Vision Development, Short-term Business Planning, Sales, Marketing, Boat & Equipment Maintenance, Public Relations, Staff Hiring & Management, Fundraising Support, Risk Management, and Racing Instruction.
- Certifications: US Sailing Association Levels 1&2 Dinghy Coach; Former US Sailing and Collegiate All-American Sailing Team Member
- Education: Benilde St. Margaret's High School '92; St. Mary's College of MD '96 (BA Economics);
- Key Skills: Teaching/coaching, Curriculum development, Professional Marketing, Live Presentation, Customer fulfillment;
- Previous Positions: Financial Advisor, AmeriPrise Financial; Head Racing Coach, GLSS; Special Education Paraprofessional Minnetonka High School

- Volunteer Positions: YoungLife Volunteer Leader, Kettle Morraine High School , Rotary Club
- Home: Pewaukee , Wisconsin