Our Kids Sailing Programs
Guppies: Intro to Sailing (ages 5-6) // 11am-12pm
The Guppies Program is intended for young sailors gaining confidence on the water. Safety and fun are the core of this program.
Activities include rigging, steering, operating the sails in our keelboats with their instructors (Colgate 26s).
Students must turn 5 years old before 6/1/20.
Seafarers: Intro to Sailing (ages 7-12) // 9-11am
Students who are new to sailing or have little prior sailing experience, are placed in the Seafarer program.
This class is taught in our Colgate 26's and our Optimist dinghies. The "bigger" Colgate boat experience will provide a comfortable environment for basic skill acquisition while the Optimist dinghies are a stable and fun boat to learn more intermediate skills.
Students in the Seafarer class have the benefit of close peer and instructor interaction in safe, stable boats. When the instructor feels that the student is ready, they are invited to move into the Opti Green class.
Optis: Intermediate and Advanced Sailing (ages 7-12) // 11am-1pm
Opti Green (Intermediate Sailing)
Students who have progressed through our Seafarer class, or who have a skill and interest level sufficient for single-handed sailing, are placed in our Opti Green class. Participants can sail alone or with a partner.
Focus is on expanding the concepts of the Seafarer Class, introducing the basic concepts of racing and building confidence through both games and basic drills.
Opti Blue (Advanced Sailing)
The Opti Blue class will give students the opportunity to sail by themselves, and will focus on more advanced sailing and racing techniques.
The goal is for Opti Blue students to become self-sufficient, experienced sailors and to develop a love for the sport. Enjoyment and gaining new skills remain key components.
Teens: Beginner through Advanced Sailing (Ages 13+) // 11am-1.30pm
Teen Green (Beginner Sailing)
Teenagers who are new to sailing should take our Teen Beginner class. They will sail in a large and stable Colgate 26 with an instructor and peers on board.
Focus will be on teamwork, basic sailing techniques, and boat handling.
As the season progresses, they may advance into the 420 Green program.
420 Green (Intermediate Sailing)
Once a teenager has some experience in the Teen Beginner class, they will progress into the 420 Green programme.
The focus of this class is to give teens sailing experience on 2 person boats, where they will sail with a peer. Fundamental sailing techniques and individual confidence will be introduced and coached.
With regular participation and effort, the trainee may progress into the 420 Blue Programme.
420 Blue (Advanced Sailing)
420s allow the student the opportunity to sail with one other student in a more responsive and technical racing dinghy.
The 420 Blue program is designed to introduce sailors to more advanced and technical sailing skills.
Focus is placed on continuing to build upon those skills acquired in the Teen Green program, with greater weight placed on advanced techniques, racing skills and a deeper understanding of sailing in general.