Sailing on Lake Zurich

Kindersegelschule Zürichsee✔ Verified

Children learn to sail in Optimist dinghies here, operating as a guest of the Zürcher Yacht Club on General-Guisan-Quai, right by Bürkliplatz and the Arboretum. No experience is needed for the beginner course: young sailors rig the sail, steer with the tiller, practise simple manoeuvres, learn a little theory and tie their first sailor's knots. Those who want more move on to an advanced course that teaches handling the boat in stronger wind, the path to becoming an Opti skipper. Lessons run as holiday courses or on Wednesdays or Fridays during term, so it fits around school. The setting, in the lower basin in front of the city, is about as central as sailing gets.

Good to know: Come by tram 7, 11 or 13 to Bürkliplatz. If you drive, park at Hafen Enge and walk about five minutes to the yacht club.

Address

c/o Zürcher Yacht Club, General-Guisan-Quai 17, 8002 Zürich

Season

May to October

Phone

+41 43 288 02 19

Getting there

Tram 7, 11, 13 to Bürkliplatz · car: Hafen Enge, about 5 min walk

Requirements

No previous experience needed (beginner course).

Source: freizeit.ch · checked 2026-10-10

ZIMI sailing✔ Verified

Sailing (listed under sailing schools).

Address

Bürkliplatz, 8001 Zürich

Prices are not published by the operator — ask when booking.

Source: local.ch · checked 2026-10-10

Segel- und Motorbootschule SMS Zürisee✔ Verified

Based on the Rote Fabrik site in Wollishofen, SMS Zürisee has its own jetty on the city's southern shore and teaches both sailing and motorboat driving, from first lessons up to the offshore licence. Alongside licence training it offers wakeboarding and wakesurfing behind its boats, and boats can also be rented. The mix of licence school and towed sports makes it unusual: you might come for your boat licence and come back for a wake session. Booking runs through its online portal, with lessons and rentals scheduled individually.

Good to know: The meeting point is given as Seestrasse 395, at the Rote Fabrik. Cancel at least 48 hours ahead for driving lessons and rentals, 24 hours for watersports.

Address

Seestrasse 395 (Rote Fabrik), 8038 Zürich

Phone

+41 44 480 08 77

Prices are not published by the operator — ask when booking.

Source: local.ch · checked 2026-10-10

Segel- und Motorbootsschule Beat Lang✔ Verified

With more than 40 years of teaching behind it, Beat Lang's school trains sailors and motorboat drivers on the right shore of the lake, with courses held mainly in Uetikon am See and Stäfa. The modular system lets you book up to 16 weekly appointments, so you can fit lessons around work rather than taking a block week. Beyond the licence itself there is further training and preparation for offshore sailing. Lessons last between one and a half and two and a half hours depending on group size. Learning away from the city end of the lake means fewer crowds on the water.

Good to know: Students, apprentices and pupils get a 15 percent discount; book online or by phone.

Address

Seestrasse 31, 8712 Stäfa · also Uetikon am See

Phone

+41 44 928 18 18

Prices are not published by the operator — ask when booking.

Source: local.ch · checked 2026-10-10

Segelschule Thomas Zwick✔ Verified

Thomas Zwick runs a small sailing school split across two age groups. Children and teenagers sail Optimists and Lasers at Kehlhof in Stäfa, in courses of five sessions spread over four levels, so a child can progress from first outing to confident dinghy sailor. Adults learn on keelboats from Feldbach and Stäfa on Lake Zurich, or near the town of Greifensee, mostly as private lessons. The adult side covers the Swiss D licence, spinnaker handling and refresher sessions for anyone who has not sailed in years. A reviewer describes a small club feel with a motivated team, which suits nervous beginners better than a large school.

Good to know: Life jackets are worn at all times on adult lessons, and lessons can be cancelled free of charge up to 72 hours ahead.

Address

Office: Bruneggstrasse 1, 8634 Hombrechtikon · courses in Stäfa, Feldbach and on the Greifensee

Phone

+41 79 630 84 78

E-mail

info@segelschulezwick.ch

Requirements

Life jacket must be worn at all times on board (adult lessons). Accident insurance is the participant's/parents' responsibility. Lessons cancellable free up to 72 h ahead; subscriptions paid in advance, non-refundable.

Source: Zürich Tourism · prices: operator website · checked 2026-10-10