"...the canoes were coming out from all sides to barter. There must have been over 200 canoes and aboard each two, three, four and five men...Their canoes are very beautiful and well made... they knew how to handle them well, sailing before the wind rather skillfully..." — Oliver van Noort, 1600
500 Sails provides free lalåyak (sailing) classes to adults and teenagers during the year. Classes are both in the classroom and on the water, and take place on weekends over several weeks at the Guma Sakman (canoe house), across the street from Marianas High School in Susupe. Teenagers will need a parent to register them. For scheduled course dates and registration information, contact 500 Sails at (670) 323-7245 or info@500Sails.org. All levels of experience are welcome but students need to be able to swim 400 meters non-stop and tred water for 60 minuntes to enroll. A swim test will be scheduled after registration. Students who need to learn to swim can join the Adult Learn-to-swim lessons (also free). Check the Community Calendar or call for dates and times.
Note: Lalåyak students who take the classes and pass an on-water sailing test, swim test, and written test can sail 500 Sails canoes on their own.
The Lalåyak class instruction book, LALÅYAK — A Beginner's Guide to Sailing a Chamorro Canoe is available free for download.
Adults and accompanied children are invited to join in the fun and experience sailing on a traditional Chamorro or Carolinian canoe on Saturdays when the tide and weather allows. Check the Community Calendar for dates and times. Canoe rides are about 20 minutes long and very inexpensive. Local residents with ID can ride free. Life jackets are required and provided. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Dress appropriately for sailing in an open canoe - you might get wet! :)
