Junior Sailing
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 proficiencies can enhance their sailing abilities while fostering respect for their fellow sailors, vessels, and the marine environment. Emphasizing sportsmanship and respect, it is the instructors' duty 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
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 $125/two-weeks per child.
Junior Sailing Summer Dates
Coming January 2025!
Registration
Registration opens February 2025
Medical Waiver
Medical Release & Liability Waiver (mandatory)
Classes & Schedules
Beginners
Intermediates
Adventure Optimist
Adventure Sailing
Green Fleet 420
CYC Green Fleet Optimist Team
CYC Optimist Racing Team
420 Racing Team
ILCAS
ILCA Clinics
29ers
Optional Fees
Refund Policy
Equipment to bring
Beginners, ages 8-12
An introduction to sailing, Beginners will have fun with 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. This class is taught in Prams (similar to Optimists). Students will sail double-handed (in pairs). (In order to move to Intermediates, sailors must demonstrate that they are comfortable sailing alone.)
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 in each child. 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. Children may experience windier conditions in the afternoon classes, and thus may intermittently sail Hunter 140s with a junior instructor in the boat. Children must be comfortable sailing solo to participate
*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]
Adventure Optimist, ages 10-12
The next step after Intermediates, this class is for the sailor who has completed Intermediates, can tack and gybe comfortably sailing solo (or the equivalent). Sailors must be comfortable sailing by themselves. The class will expand on the seamanship and boat handling they have previously learned with lots of “tiller time” in Optimists. Sailors will be on the water in their boats sailing for fun, exploring the Bay, learning how to sail well in a variety of conditions. (Sailing correctly on the various points of sail is a main focus in this class.) Instructors may also introduce racing in a fun, non-traditional way. Sailors must either have their own Optimist or charter a boat from CYC. (Charter boat cost: $150/session)
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].
Adventure Sailing, ages 12 and older
For those who just want to recreationally sail, this class will focus on fun on the water and sailing to various destinations around the Bay. Multiple platforms are used to cruise around Narragansett Bay – RS Quest, Hunter 140, O’Pen Bics, Hartley 10’s, J/22s, etc... Sailors are welcome to bring their own boat to class too! Wednesday will be keelboat day. Tuesday & Thursday participants will have a choice as to what boats they want to sail. Sailors will play games and swim in addition to learning sailing basics such as wind direction, parts of the boat, rigging, capsize and recovery, knots, towing, docking, time and distance, as well as basic boat care. Sailors will take turns doing all the jobs on the boat – steering and trimming the sails.
Green Fleet 420, ages 13 and older
This is an introduction to sailing & racing Club 420s. Sailors who are interested in progressing to racing, and those who may be interested in high school and college sailing, should join this class. The class will focus on all aspects of becoming a competent 420 sailor - skippering and crewing, long distance sails, seamanship skills, docking, rules of the road, and introduction to spinnaker and trapeze. Basic boat-handling and more advanced boat handling will be stressed. Ideally, each sailor will become competent as a skipper and a crew. Sailors will switch skippering and crewing to get the experience of doing all the different jobs of sailing the boat.
**This class is a prerequisite to joining 420 racing.*
All students in this class MUST view this safety video prior to the first day of class: https://youtu.be/gZT-lT0Hb0Q
CYC Green Fleet Optimist Team
Green Fleet Opti Team is for beginning Optimist racers - it is next in the CYC class progression after Adventure Optimist. Sailors who participated in Adventure Optimist in previous years, anyone who is competitive, and/or is interested in starting to race Optimists should join this group. Like any other sport, racing hones skills and mastership of the sport. Instruction encourages fun on the water with sessions that combine racing drills and recreational sailing. Green fleet sailors need to be able to go upwind, tack, jibe, and control their boats in a variety of wind conditions. This group will also sail O’Pen Bics (now O’Pen Skiffs) for half a day, one class each week. This is to keep things fast, fun, and give them a different platform to hone their skills on.
This class will teach the fundamentals of racing and racing rules. Ideally, sailors will participate in local regattas on Narragansett Bay including Jr. Race Week as a part of the Green Fleet Optimist Team class. These races are typically short, close to shore, and are designed to encourage the beginning racer. Green Fleet includes sailors of any age with entry-level racing skills. There will be a CYC coach and motorboat at each scheduled regatta. Regatta entry fees and NBYA membership expenses are additional, but necessary to compete in the NBYA regattas. Parents must register their racers and let coaches know of their intent to participate in each regatta. Where and how to register will be communicated by the class coach at the beginning of the season. For more information about NBYA regattas and fees: https://nbya.org/juniors/.
Sailors should have their own Optimists. CYC may have boats available for charter if needed though. Contact the Director of Sailing to discuss, [email protected]
Here is some great info for parents about Opti’s on the USODA Class website: https://usoda.org/faq
CYC Optimist Racing Team
The CYC Opti Racing Team is for Optimist sailors who have completed at least one full season in Green Fleet Optimist. Sailors should have basic racing skills. Practices will focus on racing drills, advanced boat handling, racing rules, and strategy. This group will sail O’Pen Bics (now O’Pen Skiffs) for half a day, one class each week. This is to keep things fast, fun, and give them a different platform to hone their skills on.
Optimist racers are expected to attend NBYA regattas and Jr. Race Week. There will be a CYC coach and motorboat at each scheduled regatta. Where and how to register will be communicated by the class coach at the beginning of the season. For more information about NBYA regattas and fees: https://nbya.org/juniors/. Sailors must have their own boats.
(Please note, sailors in the CYC Optimist Racing class can choose to race in Green Fleet at regattas. This is ideal for a sailor who is more timid or new to racing.)
Here is some great info for parents about Opti’s on the USODA Class website: https://usoda.org/faq
420 Racing Team
420 sailors who have a strong desire for racing and have demonstrated good, solid boat-handling skills in 420s or other boats, are ready for the CYC 420 Racing Team. Practices will focus on advanced boat handling with trapezes and spinnakers, racing drills, racing rules, and strategy. Skipper/crew teams will be formed by the coach, though requests will be considered. Sailors will switch skipper and crew roles during practices as much as possible.
Fees include the use of CYC boats and equipment in class and at NBYA regattas. There are additional fees to participate in NBYA regattas. Sailors must also have an NBYA Junior Membership ($35) to participate in NBYA regattas. Regatta participation is an expectation for all but first year racers (see below). 420 sailors are encouraged to own their own boats. (See below for discounted pricing if you own your own boat.) For more information about NBYA regattas and fees: https://nbya.org/juniors/.
Newer, first year 420 racers are encouraged but not required to attend NBYA regattas. Those sailors may attend CYC’s Adventure Sailing Class (M, T, W, Th 9-12) during regatta days. CYC will provide trailers or will tow on the water to NBYA regattas. Parents are required to help tow the trailers and/or to tow boats by water to and from regattas.
There may be additional sailing opportunities for sailors to casually race against Sail Newport and other local clubs. These opportunities will be scheduled a week in advance.
Class size is limited to a maximum of 12 sailors (6 boats). This racing class is an 8-week experience in two four-week sessions. Sailors are strongly encouraged to participate in all 8 weeks. Participation in only the second 4 weeks of the program needs approval from the Director of Sailing, [email protected].
*Class prerequisite: sailors must have completed CYC’s 420 Green Fleet class or an equivalent from another club. Sailors may also join this racing class if they have raced Optimists for two-three years. Contact the Director of Sailing with any questions.
All students in this class MUST view this safety video prior to the first day of class: https://youtu.be/gZT-lT0Hb0Q
*ILCAS
Hone your sailing skills by learning to sail and race ILCAs! CYC has 5 ILCAs with a variety of rig options (4.7, radial, and full rig). Kids must weigh at least 90 lbs and be skillful enough to dock the boat without damaging it. (If you need an ILCA, there is a $150/session charter fee.) (*ILCA = formerly called Lasers)
ILCA Clinics
Clinics may be scheduled on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 – 7:15 pm throughout the summer. Every effort will be made to hold Wednesday evening clinics each week. Please check the box to be contacted about the clinics when they are scheduled. Clinics will be scheduled a week in advance or more. Also, please indicate if parent or sailor (or both) are interested in the clinics.
29ers
This exciting beginner's 29er sailing course is crafted to launch your venture into high-performance sailing. Led by a seasoned and enthusiastic instructor, participants will receive hands-on guidance for a thorough grasp of the 29er, a two-person, high-speed skiff celebrated for its agility, thrilling maneuvers, and strong ties to Olympic-class vessels. Veteran racers transitioning from Optimists and 420s will delve into rigging techniques, essential boat handling, and crucial safety protocols. Upon completing this course, participants will possess fundamental skills necessary for advancing into subsequent clinics and competitions. This racing class is an 8-week experience in two four-week sessions. Sailors are strongly encouraged to participate in all 8 weeks. Sailors MAY NOT join for only the second session without approval from the Director of Sailing, [email protected]
Add-On's & Extras
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.
Cost: 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:
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:
ILCA Charters:
CYC owns five ILCAs (formerly called Lasers) that are available for charter to anyone interested in CYC’s Junior Sailing ILCA class, but who does not yet own their own boat. Charters come with all equipment needed to sail
Cost:
Pinnies for Sailors in Racing Classes:
Sailors in racing classes, including Green Fleet, are required to wear CYC Junior Sailing pinnies to all NBYA regattas. (Sailors may choose to wear their pinnies during practice as well.) The pinnies help create a team atmosphere and help the CYC instructors be able to more easily identify CYC sailors at regattas. Pinnies are $35 and can be purchased during the check-out process now. If your sailor has a pinny from a previous year(s), you are not required to buy a new one. Sailors who have pinnies from last summer, may use those. Sailors new to CYC racing classes must purchase pinnies.
Cost: $35
Refund Policy
Cancellations before June 1 will be granted a refund minus a $35 administrative fee. If a sailor has attended class(es), the refund will be prorated based on the number of classes attended. 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 information about the Junior Sailing Program, contact the Director of Sailing, [email protected]
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2025 Class Information
Coming January 2025!
Medical Waiver
Medical Release & Liability Waiver
CYC Sailing Facility
40 Bay View Drive
Jamestown, RI 02835
Contact
Director of Sailing
[email protected]
