Junior Sailing

Thank you to all CYC sailors for a fantastic season!  The 2026 dates are now online! Registration opens February 16 at 9 am for members, February 23 at 9 am for grandchildren of CYC members, and March 2 at 9 am for all participants as part of our staggered registration process. 

About Jr. Sailing

The CYC Jr. Sailing program welcomes juniors of all backgrounds, whether they are non-members, member guests, friends, or relatives. Our program offers a safe and enjoyable setting where young sailors of varying ages and skill levels can enhance their sailing abilities while fostering respect for their fellow sailors, vessels, and the marine environment. Emphasizing sportsmanship and respect, it is our role to cultivate these attributes among the sailors. The program is dedicated to delivering top-notch instruction and offering a diverse range of boats and classes, aiming to inspire a lifelong passion for the sport of sailing.

Placement in Jr. Sailing classes is based primarily on skill rather than age. To participate in junior sailing, sailors must be at least 8 years old by September 1 of the year in which they intend to begin. There are multiple pathways for acquiring sailing proficiency and advancing through the program. Starting in the beginner class is strongly advised as the optimal starting point for learning to sail, regardless of age. Those who start their sailing journey in the beginner class and follow the suggested progression often emerge as the most proficient, confident, and independent sailors.

Junior Sailing classes are open to all, starting at age 8; First Mates: ages 5-7.  Interested in adult classes, learn more!

Limited Member Fee

Those who are not year-round, dues paying CYC members need to pay a limited member fee for each child and for every 2-week session of participation. The fee is $120/two-weeks per child.

Junior Sailing Summer Dates

Opening Night
June 19 | 6:00 - 6:30 PM

1 - Week Sessions
NEW for Adventure Sailing

2 - Week Session Dates:
June 22 - July 3
July 6 - 17
July 20 - 31
August 3 - 14

4 - Week Session Dates:
June 22 - July 17
July 20 - August 14

Post Season Sailing
August 17 - 21

Registration

Register now!  [sessions show current availability in form!]

CYC Members, please login to website for early registration. Early registration begins February 16 at 9 am.

Medical Waiver

Medical Release & Liability Waiver (mandatory)

Classes & Schedules

Beginners
Intermediates
Adventure Optimist
Adventure Sailing
Optimist Development
CYC Optimist Race Team
ILCA Development
420 Development
CYC 420 Race Team
Clinics: ILCA + 29er
Junior Big Boat +

Optional Fees

View add-ons & extras

Refund Policy

View refund policy

Equipment to bring 

View equipment to bring

BEGINNERS, ages 8-12

An introduction to sailing, Beginners will have fun learning the basics of sailing - wind directions, parts of the boat, rigging, capsize and recovery, bailing, knots, points of sail, tacking, jibing, towing, and docking, as well as basic boat care. Swimming, games, and knot tying will all be part of this fun-focused introduction to sailing class. Students will sail in pairs in Prams (similar to Optimists). (In order to move to Intermediates, sailors must demonstrate that they are comfortable sailing alone.)

• Schedule:  Monday-Friday, 9 am - 12 pm, 2 - week sessions
• Cost: $510

NEW: PILOT PROGRAM — FULL-DAY SAILING & TENNIS (MEMBERS ONLY), ages 5-12

New for 2026, the Extended-Day Pilot Program offers a members-only opportunity for children ages 5–12 to enjoy a well-rounded day of sailing and tennis at CYC.

Participants begin their morning in First Mates or Beginner Sailing, building confidence and foundational skills on the water. After lunch and a waterfront activity, the group transitions to the Racquets Facility for afternoon tennis instruction. Children will have time to change before walking to the courts, accompanied and supervised by instructors throughout the transition.

On the courts, participants focus on essential fundamentals including hand–eye coordination, balance, agility, teamwork, and court awareness in a fun and encouraging environment.

This new full-day program keeps children active, engaged, and excited to learn across both sports. Space is limited as we launch this offering for the first time.

Participation in the extended-day program requires enrollment in the morning First Mates or Beginner Sailing session for the same week.

• Schedule: Monday - Friday, 12 pm - 3 pm (extended day)
• Cost: $260 / 1-week session

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INTERMEDIATES, ages 9-12

Intermediate sailors will build upon the skills learned as beginners to sail solo in Prams. A combination of fun activities and skill-building drills will be incorporated into the class to develop a love of sailing and confidence. Docking, sail trim, weight distribution, maneuvering, points of sail, getting into and out ‘of irons’ and sailing backwards will all be covered in class. Seamanship and basic racing will also be introduced. Sailors may experience windier conditions in the afternoon classes, and thus may intermittently sail larger boats with a junior instructor in the boat. Children must be comfortable sailing solo to participate.

• Schedule: Monday-Friday, 1 - 4 pm, 2 - week sessions
• Cost: $510

*If your child is on the CYC tennis team and will not be able to attend Wednesday afternoon Intermediate sailing, contact the Director of Sailing, [email protected]

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ADVENTURE OPTIMIST, ages 10-12

Ready for the next adventure after Intermediates? This class is perfect for sailors who have mastered tacking and jibing solo and are confident sailing on their own. Get ready to level up your skills with tons of “tiller time” in Optimists! You’ll expand on your seamanship and boat-handling while exploring the Bay, having a blast on the water, and learning how to sail smoothly in all kinds of conditions. (We’ll focus on nailing those points of sail!) Plus, you might even get a fun intro to racing in a relaxed, non-traditional way. Sailors will need their own Optimist or can charter one through CYC for $150 for a 2-week session.  In the event that enrollment is fewer than three sailors, participants will join the Adventure Sailing group while continuing to sail Optimists.  Extend the day, consider adding on Adventure Sailing in the morning!

• Schedule*: Monday-Friday, 1 - 4 pm, 2 - week sessions
• Cost: $510
• Boat Charters: $150/2 weeks

*If your child is on the CYC Tennis Team and will not be able to attend Wednesday afternoon Adventure Opti, please contact the Director of Sailing [email protected].

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ADVENTURE SAILING, ages 12 and older

Perfect for older kids who are new to sailing or anyone who simply wants to get out on the water for the fun of it! This week is all about adventure - exploring Narragansett Bay, cruising to exciting destinations, and enjoying time on the water with friends. Sailors will use a variety of boats, including J22s, RS Quests, Fevas, Skiffs, Optimism 420s, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Throughout the week, sailors will take part in on-the-water activities, swimming, and skill-building sessions focused on wind awareness, rigging, knots, docking, capsize recovery, towing, and boat care. Every participant will have the chance to try different roles on board - from steering to trimming the sails, gaining confidence and hands-on experience. It’s a full week of adventure, teamwork, and unforgettable memories on the Bay!  Full day participants, please bring your lunch.

Schedule & Cost: there are participation options
1. NEW Monday - Friday, 9 - 4 pm; 1- week session, $525/session
2. NEW Monday - Friday, 9 -12 pm; 1- week session,  $255/session
3. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9-12 pm; 2- week sessions, $375/session

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OPTIMIST DEVELOPMENT TEAM, (formerly Green Fleet) ages 9-13

The next step after Adventure Opti is this developmental team which is perfect for beginner Optimist racers. Whether you’ve sailed with us before, love a little competition, or are curious about starting to race, this is the class for you! Racing isn’t just exciting - it’s the best way to sharpen your skills and master the sport. We keep it fun with a mix of racing drills and recreational sailing, ensuring plenty of fun on the water. Sailors will also get to sail O’Pen Skiffs and J22s - because who doesn’t love a little variety and speed?

In this class, you’ll learn the basics of racing, including rules and strategies. You may be ready to dive into local regattas on Narragansett Bay, like Junior Race Week, where races are short, close to shore, and designed to encourage new racers. Our development team welcomes sailors 9-15 yo with entry-level racing skills. To race, sailors need to confidently sail upwind, tack, jibe, and handle different wind conditions. A CYC coach and motorboat will be at every scheduled regatta to guide and cheer on our team. Sailors should have their own Optimists, but CYC may have boats available for charter if needed.  Contact the Director of Sailing to discuss, [email protected]

Schedule:  Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: $1120 / 4-week session or $2100/8-week session
*Sailors may add on Friday Adventure Sailing or Lasers.

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CYC OPTIMIST RACE TEAM, ages 10-15 

Take your racing to the next level with the CYC Optimist Racing Team! Designed for sailors who’ve completed at least one full season in Green Fleet, this team is all about building on your racing foundation and pushing your skills to new heights. With a focus on advanced boat handling, racing drills, rules, and strategy, you’ll gain the confidence to dominate the race course.

To keep things fresh and exciting, you’ll spend half a day each week sailing O’Pen Skiffs—because mixing it up makes it even more fun and helps sharpen your skills!

As part of the team, you’ll compete in NBYA regattas and Jr. Race Week, with a CYC coach and motorboat by your side at every event. At the start of the season, your coach will provide all the details on how and where to register, so you’re ready to hit the water and show off your skills. 

Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: TBA
*Sailors may add on Friday Adventure Sailing or Lasers.

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ILCA DEVELOPMENT, ages 13 and older

Hone your single handed sailing skills by learning to sail and race ILCAs! CYC has a variety of rig options (4.7, radial, and full rig). Kids must weigh at least 100 lbs and be skillful enough to dock the boat without damaging it. (*ILCA = formerly called Lasers) Space is limited.

• Schedule: Friday, 9 am - 4 pm
• Costs: $225 / 2-week session

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420 DEVELOPMENT, age 14 and older

This class is your gateway to mastering Club 420s and diving into the exciting world of sailing and racing! Perfect for sailors who dream of competing in high school or college sailing, this program covers everything you need to become a skilled 420 sailor. You’ll learn the ropes of skippering and crewing, take on long-distance sails, and build your seamanship skills—like docking, rules of the road, and even getting hands-on with the spinnaker and trapeze! From sharpening your basic boat-handling to tackling more advanced techniques, this class is all about growing your confidence on the water. We’ll make sure everyone gets a turn at both skippering and crewing so you’ll know what it takes to handle every role on board. As a general guide, 420 sailors need to be 14 years of age and a min. of 115 lbs. to participate and handle the boat safely. **This class or similar is a prerequisite to joining 420 racing.*

• Schedule: M & Th 9 am - 4 pm, Tues. 1-4 pm & Fr 9 am - 12 pm
• Cost: $510 / 2-week session

*On non-program days sailors may add on Adventure Sailing or Lasers. We also invite older sailors to volunteer to gain experience with junior instructor responsibilities and build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.

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CYC 420 RACE TEAM, ages 14 and older

For sailors with a passion for racing and strong boat-handling skills in 420s or similar boats, this is your next step. Practices focus on advanced techniques—including trapeze work, spinnaker handling, race drills, rules, and strategy.

Teams will be formed by the coach (requests considered), and sailors will rotate between skipper and crew roles to build versatility, teamwork, and race awareness. Additional opportunities to casually race against Sail Newport and other local clubs may be offered and scheduled in advance. Get ready to have fun and elevate your sailing!

Class size is limited to 8 sailors (4 boats). This program runs as an 8-week experience, split into two 4-week sessions. Sailors are strongly encouraged to participate in the full 8 weeks.

Fees include the use of CYC boats and equipment during practices, NBYA regattas along with New Bedford Junior Race Week. CYC will provide trailers or coordinate on-water towing to NBYA regattas. Parents are expected to assist with transporting sailors and/or trailers to and from events. Regatta participation is expected for all sailors, with the exception of those in their first year of racing. Sailors unable to attend NBYA regattas may join the Adventure Sailing class during regatta days.

There will be additional costs for regatta participation:

• NBYA Junior Membership ($25) or US Sailing junior membership (if not covered under a family plan)
• Regatta entry fees
• Additional events or private coaching (daily coach rate + expenses)
• Coach housing and transportation for “away” regattas (shared flat rate per event)

Prerequisite: Sailors must have completed CYC’s 420 Development class or an equivalent program. Sailors with 2–3 years of Optimist racing experience may also be eligible. Please contact the Director of Sailing with any questions.

• Schedule: Tue / Wed / Thu, 9 am - 4 pm.
• Costs: Full Summer $2320 / 4-week session $1250

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ILCA Clinics

Clinics will be offerred periodically throughout the summer. Check the box to receive updates when clinics are scheduled. Clinics will be announced at least a week in advance. Please also indicate whether the parent, sailor, or both are interested in participating.

• Schedule & Cost: TBA, $60/clinic

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29er Clinics

Beginner 29er sailing clinics to help launch your venture into high-performance sailing. Must have racing experience and be able to confidently and comfortably sail a small boat solo in a variety of wind conditions.

• 29ers provided, Open to all sailors 13+
• TBA

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Junior Big Boat +

Are you ready to level up your sailing skills and experience the thrill of sailing on a larger scale? Our Junior Big Boat class offers an incredible opportunity for young sailors to work as a crew, build confidence, and learn advanced techniques aboard keelboats. Open to motivated junior sailors ready to take on new challenges, perhaps match race if we get two boats and work to participate in a local race throughout the season.

No big boat experience? No problem—we'll teach you everything you need to know! J22s, CYC Member Boats + others!  Spots are limited. Come be part of the crew and sail beyond the buoy!

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Add-On's & Extras

NEW Team Gear:  
We'll share team gear options once they're ready and you're welcome to order if you'd like!

Lunch Account:
CYC Junior Sailors may sign up to have a lunch account and order lunch. This is for children who are in class all day only. (Year-round, dues paying members do not need to sign up for a lunch account.) Lunch orders are taken by a sailing instructor each morning. There is no lunch on Monday’s though as the kitchen is closed. Sign-up for a lunch account requires a $50 deposit. Any remaining funds will be refunded at the end of the summer or the fall..

Optimist Trailer Spots:
CYC has an eight boat Optimist trailer to help transport our Green Fleet and Opti Racing sailors to regattas. The eight spots are available for purchase for the season for $150, or $55/event. Parents are still responsible for getting their sailors to the regattas and all the gear except for the hulls.
Cost: $55/regatta or $175 for the season

Optimist Boat Charters:
CYC has Optimists available for charter. Charter priority is given to those participating in Adventure Optimist, however there are usually 1-2 Optimists available for those who are in a racing class and do not yet own their own boat.
Cost: $150/2-week session

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Refund Policy

Cancellations before June 1 will be granted a refund minus a $35 administrative fee. Cancellations made after June 1 will not receive a refund. Thank you.

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Equipment To Bring

All Junior Sailors must bring their own life jacket. Life jackets are to be worn at all times when on a boat, on the water, on the pier, and on the docks. Fit is important, so please choose the appropriate size for THIS summer. Please review the recommended list below and make sure to label gear with your name.

ADDITIONALLY, CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

• A life jacket
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Closed-toed boating shoes (bare feet not allowed)
• A snack (no food is provided)
• A Towel
• A change of clothes
• Layers in case it is cold or raining. (It is always cooler on the water, and sailors will sail in the rain. Children will NOT sail if there are thunderstorms or thunderstorms are within a 20 mile radius. Classes are held though, regardless of the weather.)
• A water bottle. In order to reduce the number of plastic cups used for water, sailors are required to bring their own water bottles. Refill stations are available in the junior room.

For Extended-Day Tennis Add-On Participants:

• Lunch (nut-free)
• Tennis whites
• Tennis shoes

For information about the Junior Sailing Program, contact the Director of Sailing, [email protected]

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