AYC Sailing Classes - additional Information

Learning to Sail - Level 1 “Guppies”

The objective of the beginner class is to familiarize students with the basics of sailing and to allow them to feel comfortable on the water. The students will learn safety skills such as righting a capsized boat, as well as basic rigging, de-rigging and tacking skills. Students will learn the parts of the boat, how to rig and launch a boat, basic sailing, sailing terms. There will be a combination of shore sessions, fun, and on the water sailing. This is a non-competitive environment. We just want to get the kids hooked on sailing!

• Must be 6 years old
• New sailors or kids younger than 9
• Fun activities
• Basics of sailing
• 9AM – 12 pm
• Ask for parental involvement
• Coaching: 1 paid coach, 1 paid assistant coach and possible club volunteer (changes week to week), need heavy parental involvement
• Use boats in swimming area, onshore games

Learning to Sail OPTI - Level 2 “Sharks”

The students will learn how to safely leave and return to the dock and will be able to sail independently. The basics of tacking, jibing, and docking will be covered. This class is for kids who have the basics covered and are ready to expand their skills. Sailors will work on sailing more efficiently including tacking, jibing, upwind and downwind sailing. Sailors must feel comfortable sailing independently. This class is a continuation of Beginner Sailing and a stepping stone to Beginner Racing based on the students interest.

• Open to kids who have taken at least 1 year of Learning to Sail
• Must be 9 year old
• Covers basics of sailing
• 9AM – 12PM.  Rigged and ready by 9
• Coaching: 1 paid coach, 1 paid assistant coach and club volunteer

After students have completed Level 2 Classes or have participated in Learning to Race or Learning to Sail in the past. Students that have enjoyed learning the sport of sailing and would like to compete and have fun learning to maximize wind efficiency while racing their friends. In the course the skills they will learn are (but not limited to): Starting Sequence, Basic Course Configuration, Rules of Racing, Mark Rounding, Maximizing Upwind Sailing Angles, Increasing Boat Speed, Boat Handling, Positioning for Speed, Roll Tacking and Jibing, Introduction to Tactics, Having a Race Strategy and More.

• Kids with sailing experience who are ready to race or are already participating in regattas
• 9AM to 12PM.  Rigged and ready by 9
• Covers basics of racing
• Junior races are part of the course.  Coaches will coach during races
• Coaching: 1 paid Level 1 coach, 1 paid assistant coach and club volunteer, safety boat

Learning to sail a Double-handed boat (420s, Y-Flyers, Thistles and Snipes)

This class is for older beginners who are new to sailing and sailors new to the 420. Sailors must be at least 9 years old. The 420 provides older students the chance to learn in a double-handed boat. It will also teach previous Optimist sailors skills to sail in a double handed boat. Students will learn how to both crew and skipper. The focus of this class will be sailing as a fun, social sport. This class will also have the opportunity to sail in AYC Club Boats such as Y-flyer, Snipe and Thistle! 

• Open to kids who have taken at least 1 year of Learning to Sail class
• Must be 9 years old
• 9AM – 12 pm. Rigged and ready by 9
• 420s can race with other fleets at 2 pm
• Covers basics of sailing and being a crew
• Encouraged to sail in afternoon club races.  (Will try to get fleets to sponsor weeks to encourage kids to team up with skippers)
• Will ask Fleets to participate for the kids to become familiar with our club fleet boats
• Coaching: Club Volunteers.  1 adult, 1 junior, 1 safety.  Use fleet boats with fleet volunteers to take kids out and skipper/crew on fleet boats.