Junior Sailing Program Class Descriptions
First time sailing?
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Love to be on the water, but not necessarily racing?
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Teach me to race!
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Hunters 1/2 - formerly mates and skippers (4 days per week)
For ages 7-8 (Hunters 1) and ages 9-12 (Hunters 2). This class focuses on the fundamentals of sailing along with helping sailors gain comfort and confidence on the water. Lessons are provided in the club-owned Hunter 170s, Hunter 140s, or a 420 with a Junior Instructor on-board. The Hunters classes are also a great option for sailors who have tried Opti 1 or Opti 2 and are looking for more one-on-one instructions with a JI or if a sailor is just looking for a more social sailing environment. Class size will be limited for safety reasons and determined by the Program Director. Sailors must be able to swim with and without a life jacket and tread water for one minute without a life jacket.
Juniors (3 days per week)
**NEW 2019 - Replaces IJS and 420 Intro**
For ages 13 to 18. This class focuses giving sailors the knowledge and independence to navigate the waters of outer Wild Harbor on their own. Sailors do NOT need to own a boat as lessons are provided in club-owned Hunter 170s or Hunter 140s. If a sailor's family does own a 420, we will also utilize that boat in the class. Class size will be limited for safety reason and determined by the Program Director.
For ages 7-8 (Hunters 1) and ages 9-12 (Hunters 2). This class focuses on the fundamentals of sailing along with helping sailors gain comfort and confidence on the water. Lessons are provided in the club-owned Hunter 170s, Hunter 140s, or a 420 with a Junior Instructor on-board. The Hunters classes are also a great option for sailors who have tried Opti 1 or Opti 2 and are looking for more one-on-one instructions with a JI or if a sailor is just looking for a more social sailing environment. Class size will be limited for safety reasons and determined by the Program Director. Sailors must be able to swim with and without a life jacket and tread water for one minute without a life jacket.
Juniors (3 days per week)
**NEW 2019 - Replaces IJS and 420 Intro**
For ages 13 to 18. This class focuses giving sailors the knowledge and independence to navigate the waters of outer Wild Harbor on their own. Sailors do NOT need to own a boat as lessons are provided in club-owned Hunter 170s or Hunter 140s. If a sailor's family does own a 420, we will also utilize that boat in the class. Class size will be limited for safety reason and determined by the Program Director.
Opti 1 (3 days per week +1 optional day in Hunters)
Ages 7-9, an introduction to sailing the optimist dinghy. Participants must provide a boat, but do not need any experience in sailing. To enroll a sailor must be able to swim with and without a life jacket and tread water for one minute without a life jacket. Class size will be limited for safety reasons, as determined by the Program Director.
**New 2019**
We have added an extra day to the class that is NOT in optis. This day is to allow our instructors and junior instructors time to work with sailors in a larger boat and help boost our youngest sailors knowledge and confidence on the water. It will also give us some flexibility in weeks where the wind has not been so cooperative with our smaller sailors to get them out on the water an extra day.
Opti 2 (3 days per week +1 optional learn-to-race day)
Ages 8+. Participants must provide a boat, and should have completed one full season in the Opti 1 class have been recommended by their Opti 1 instructor. Sailors in this class should enter the season feeling comfortable sailing in and out of the inner harbor without the guidance of an instructor. Additionally, they should be able to navigate their boat through tacks and jibes in light and medium wind conditions. Class size will be limited for safety reason as determined by the Program Director.
**NEW 2019**
We have added a dedicated time on Friday for sailors in Opti 2 and Opti 3 to learn about racing (if they want) in a truly innocuous environment. During this time, sailors will learn and practice the basics of how to start a race and navigate a race course.
Opti 3 (3 days per week +1 optional learn-to-race day)
Ages 9+, an introduction to racing. Participants must provide a boat, and should have completed one full season in the Opti 2 class or have the recommendation of their previous instructor. Sailors in this class will participate in all four Unkie Cup races with the assistance of the Opti 3 instructor, transportation of both the child and the boat are the responsibility of the sailor; however a trailer is available upon request. Before enrolling in the Opti 3 class, sailors should feel comfortable sailing their boats independent of an instructor in medium wind conditions. Class size will be limited for safety reasons as determined by the Program Director.
**NEW 2019**
We have added a dedicated time on Friday for sailors in Opti 2 and Opti 3 to learn about racing (if they want) in a truly innocuous environment. During this time, sailors will learn and practice the basics of how to start a race and navigate a race course. Sailors who feel confident in their ability to do this are highly encouraged to participate in the Friday afternoon race series.
Opti Race Team (5 days per week)
Ages 10 to 15, advanced class with a focus on racing tactics in preparation to participate in seasonal regattas. The opti race team will compete in a number of regattas throughout the season, for which participation is expected. Sailors not wishing to compete in regattas should consider remaining in Opti 3 or moving to the Juniors class.
Ages 7-9, an introduction to sailing the optimist dinghy. Participants must provide a boat, but do not need any experience in sailing. To enroll a sailor must be able to swim with and without a life jacket and tread water for one minute without a life jacket. Class size will be limited for safety reasons, as determined by the Program Director.
**New 2019**
We have added an extra day to the class that is NOT in optis. This day is to allow our instructors and junior instructors time to work with sailors in a larger boat and help boost our youngest sailors knowledge and confidence on the water. It will also give us some flexibility in weeks where the wind has not been so cooperative with our smaller sailors to get them out on the water an extra day.
Opti 2 (3 days per week +1 optional learn-to-race day)
Ages 8+. Participants must provide a boat, and should have completed one full season in the Opti 1 class have been recommended by their Opti 1 instructor. Sailors in this class should enter the season feeling comfortable sailing in and out of the inner harbor without the guidance of an instructor. Additionally, they should be able to navigate their boat through tacks and jibes in light and medium wind conditions. Class size will be limited for safety reason as determined by the Program Director.
**NEW 2019**
We have added a dedicated time on Friday for sailors in Opti 2 and Opti 3 to learn about racing (if they want) in a truly innocuous environment. During this time, sailors will learn and practice the basics of how to start a race and navigate a race course.
Opti 3 (3 days per week +1 optional learn-to-race day)
Ages 9+, an introduction to racing. Participants must provide a boat, and should have completed one full season in the Opti 2 class or have the recommendation of their previous instructor. Sailors in this class will participate in all four Unkie Cup races with the assistance of the Opti 3 instructor, transportation of both the child and the boat are the responsibility of the sailor; however a trailer is available upon request. Before enrolling in the Opti 3 class, sailors should feel comfortable sailing their boats independent of an instructor in medium wind conditions. Class size will be limited for safety reasons as determined by the Program Director.
**NEW 2019**
We have added a dedicated time on Friday for sailors in Opti 2 and Opti 3 to learn about racing (if they want) in a truly innocuous environment. During this time, sailors will learn and practice the basics of how to start a race and navigate a race course. Sailors who feel confident in their ability to do this are highly encouraged to participate in the Friday afternoon race series.
Opti Race Team (5 days per week)
Ages 10 to 15, advanced class with a focus on racing tactics in preparation to participate in seasonal regattas. The opti race team will compete in a number of regattas throughout the season, for which participation is expected. Sailors not wishing to compete in regattas should consider remaining in Opti 3 or moving to the Juniors class.
Club 420 Race Team 1 (3 days per week)
Ages 13 to 17, the goal of the class to gain an experience in the Club 420 sailboat with a focus on racing techniques. They will learn to both skipper and crew, as well as, fly a spinnaker and use the trapeze. Participants MUST provide a boat or communicate with a classmate with whom they could 'share' a boat: the idea being the we enter the season with, at least, one boat for every two sailors. Sailors are encouraged to participate in the Friday races and WHYC Saturday Open Series. Additionally, this group will travel to a few smaller regattas throughout the season.
(NOTE: The combined weight of skipper and crew for a 420 should be between 250 and 275 pounds to safely operate the boat in our wind conditions, consequently sailors under 95lbs are encourage to remain in the opti or enroll in Juniors)
Club 420 Race Team 2 (4 days per week)
Ages 14-18, this class focuses on racing tactics and team racing strategy. Sailors are expected to participate in the Southern Massachusetts Sailing Club 420 regatta events and the WHYC Saturday morning series. Sailors from this group may be selected to participate in the US Sailing ladder events for the Bemis Trophy as well as for Southern Massachusetts Sailing team racing team.
Ages 13 to 17, the goal of the class to gain an experience in the Club 420 sailboat with a focus on racing techniques. They will learn to both skipper and crew, as well as, fly a spinnaker and use the trapeze. Participants MUST provide a boat or communicate with a classmate with whom they could 'share' a boat: the idea being the we enter the season with, at least, one boat for every two sailors. Sailors are encouraged to participate in the Friday races and WHYC Saturday Open Series. Additionally, this group will travel to a few smaller regattas throughout the season.
(NOTE: The combined weight of skipper and crew for a 420 should be between 250 and 275 pounds to safely operate the boat in our wind conditions, consequently sailors under 95lbs are encourage to remain in the opti or enroll in Juniors)
Club 420 Race Team 2 (4 days per week)
Ages 14-18, this class focuses on racing tactics and team racing strategy. Sailors are expected to participate in the Southern Massachusetts Sailing Club 420 regatta events and the WHYC Saturday morning series. Sailors from this group may be selected to participate in the US Sailing ladder events for the Bemis Trophy as well as for Southern Massachusetts Sailing team racing team.