Swim – Dolphin Club Saipan
"They were excellent swimmers, and have as little fear of the sea as dolphins" — Antonio Pigafetta, with Magellan's Squadron, 1521
Dolphin Club Saipan (DCS) is the water safety program of 500 Sails. Our program is inspired and supported by our friends at the San Francico Dolphin Swimming & Boating Club.
Sirena Project
The Sirena Project teaches women and teenage girls to swim in a safe and supported environment. Classes are Sundays from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Guma Sakman.
Gamsun Project
The Gamsun Project prepares teenage youth to pass the swim test required to qualify to train as a lifeguard. The Gamsum Project meets Sundays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm at the Guma Sakman.
Dolphin Club Saipan
The Dolphin Club Saipan meets at 6:00am Monday through Friday at the Guma Sakman for group swim practice. There is no cost to join or swim with the Dolphin Club Saipan, and restrooms and showers are available at the Guma Sakman. Orange Dolphin Club Saipan swim caps are required and are provided free of charge. Free donated used goggles are also provided (compliments of our swim club partner, the San Francisco Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club.
Build – Fa'tinas Såhyan Tåsi
"...their outrigger boats passed by our ship very quickly even though we were under full sail...they are like dolphins bounding from wave to wave." — Antonio Pigefeta, with Magellan's squadron, 1521
500 Sails canoes are accurate replicas of Chamorro sailing canoes based on the historic record. 500 Sail's fleet currently consists of the 47-foot Sakman Chelu completed in San Diego in 2010, 41-foot Chamorro Sakman Ladahao (aka Roberta L) built in 1969 in Chicago, four 26-foot Leklek Neni, Richard Seman, Anaguan, and Aunty Oba, and a Duding Dee Dee built by 500 Sails staff and volunteers.
Canoe Building Instructional Videos
Want to build your own canoe? Detailed instructions that will guide you through building your own 15-foot Duduli Chamorro sailing proa are available on the Instructional Videos page.
Sail – Lalåyak
"Their amusement is to go with their women upon the seas with those small boats of theirs. Some are black, some white and others red. At the side opposite the sail, they have a large piece of wood pointed at the top, with poles laid across it and resting on the water...the sail is made from palm leaves sewn together and is shaped like a lateen sail. For rudders they use a certain blade like a baker's peel that has a piece of wood at the end. They can change stern and bow at will and those craft resemble the dolphins which leap in the water from wave to wave..." — Antonio Pigafetta, with Magellan's Squadron, 1521
Lalåyak (Sailing) Instruction
Free Drop-in, sailing instruction is offered to adults and teenagers, from 9am to 11am on Saturdays at the Guma Sakman (canoe house), across the street from Marianas High School in Susupe. Teenagers will need a parent to register them. All levels of experience are welcome but students need to be able to swim 400 meters non-stop and tred water for 60 minuntes. A swim test will be scheduled after registration. (Students who need to learn to swim can join the Adult Learn-to-swim lessons on Wednesday mornings at 6am at the Guma Sakman.) Sailing practice until 1pm follows sailing instruction. Participants are exected to help get the canoes out of the canoe house, set them up, and to put them away after class. Note: Lalayak students who pass an on-water sailing test, swim test, and written test can sail 500 Sails canoes on their own.
Canoe Rides
Adults and accompanied children are welcome to join in the fun and take a free ride on a caone on Saturdays at 11am. Rides are about 20 minutes long. Life jackets are required and available. Children just be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Dress appropriately for sailing in an open canoe - you might get wet! :)