Guppies Program:

The Harraseeket Yacht Club Guppies program had a very successful debut in the summer of 2011 and is back for 2012.  This class meets once a week on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30-6:30.  This class is for 5-7 year olds that are interested in learning how to sail.  The class is designed to be introductory and very hands-on, and to allow young sailors to be gain comfort on the water.  The Guppies will primarily sail the Optimist Dinghies.  The class will have lots of games mixed in to make sure the sailors are having fun! Sailors must be able to pass a swim test in order to participate.

Recruit Program:

Recruits at HYC are the youngest members of our full-day youth program. Normally students take two sessions before graduating to Mates. No prior sailing experience is required, and most have never sailed before. The typical age range for this class is from 8 to 11, but exceptions are considered with prior approval.  The Recruits class meets from 9-12 Monday through Friday.

Recruits sail the single-handed Optimist Dinghy.  We start with the very basics of sailing. One of the primary goals of the Recruits class is to competently skipper the single-handed Optimist Dinghy. Our instructors are experienced teachers and sailors, and help create a fun, positive learning environment.

Recruits spend at least two hours per class on the water. They will master useful knots and sailing terminology. They will learn rowing, rigging, dinghy handling, crewing, capsizing procedures, docking, and, above all, safety at sea. Our focus throughout is to teach the basics of sailing and seamanship, and to introduce youth sailors to racing. The Optimist Class Association sponsors “Green Fleet”, or beginner events, which we encourage Recruits to consider. Each Recruit receives a certificate of completion at the end of each Session which includes useful suggestions from the instructors.

Mates Program:

Mates at HYC must be successful graduates of our Recruit class (normally students take two sessions of Recruits before moving up), and ready to take on the challenge of the intermediate portion our youth program. Without completing our Recruits class, applicants must apply and receive approval from the HYC Program Director before being accepted into the Mates Program. The typical age range for this class is from 10 to 15, but exceptions are considered.  The Mates class meets from 1-4 Monday through Friday.

Mates extend the skills and knowledge they learned as Recruits. They build confidence through experience. Mates strive to feel comfortable in their sailing environment. They learn sailing rules of the road and the basics of navigation. Mates are introduced to racing and will occasionally sail with the Skippers class. The instructors use a variety of games and drills to continue to hone their skills. Mates sail Optimist Dinghies and RAD 420s, which are 420s with slightly smaller main sails.

Opti Race Team:

The Opti Race Team will return to HYC this summer.  The Opti Race Team is for sailors aged 10-15 that are highly motivated to become better racers in the Optimist Dinghy. Optis are great boats to begin the development of boathandling and tactical skills that serve sailors well throughout their future racing careers. The sailors will sail in local Opti Regattas. The Opti Race Team meets Monday through Friday 1-4:30.  The Opti Race Team members are strongly encouraged to sign up for both sessions.

Skippers Program:

The Skippers are those sailors who have mastered the boathandling of Optis and RAD 420s.  They have had some exposure to competition and are interested in gaining more racing experience.  The Skippers group begins by learning how to transfer their sailing skills to the Club 420.   The class works on their boat handling and sail trim through formal and informal competition in the club’s 420 fleet. Although not all sailors aspire to be top competitors, we believe this format to be a fun and efficient learning experience. The fleet racing will also develop knowledge of tactics, right of way rules and teamwork. Skippers have the opportunity at HYC to go as far as possible with their sailing talents.  The typical age range for the Skippers class is 12-14.  The Skippers class meets Monday through Friday from 9 to 4:30.

The Skippers class will do some racing outside of HYC, such as the Casco Bay Series hosted by local yacht clubs. They will also participate in the annual HYC Regatta, which will be held on August 2nd and 3rd this year.

420 Race Team:

Members of the 420 Race Team must be extremely competent boat handlers and have the passion for higher level competition before being admitted to the program’s most advanced curriculum. Crews will be chosen by the instruction staff to represent HYC at the Sears, Bemis, Smythe, Leiter, and Midget Regattas as well as Marblehead Junior Race Week and other out-of-state regattas. Past HYC sailors have advanced to regional and national championships. Parents of these sailors are required to participate in transportation and regatta support throughout the summer.

The typical age range for this class is from 14 to 17, but exceptions will be considered. Due to the depth of this program, team members are strongly encouraged to sign up for both sessions.  The 420 Race Team practices Monday through Friday from 9 to 4:30

Women’s Program:

If you are looking for a fun way to learn the basics of sailing and/or brush up on your sailing technique please join a group of women for a fun and supportive sailing program.  The program is designed for the beginner to intermediate sailor who wants to learn sailing fundamentals through a combination of on the water instruction followed by a “chalk talk” by experienced sailing coaches.  We sail the club 420’s and may graduate to sailing Sonar’s on our last week.  Build confidence in your abilities, meet other women from the community and just have fun on the beautiful Harraseeket River!  This program requires a minimum of 12 participants and has the capacity for a maximum of 20.  For 2012 there will be one six week session.

To register for the Women’s Program, HYC Womens Registration Form 2012

Questions or Additional Information:

2012 Sailing Director:
Kim Dempsey - 203-325-0232
sailingdirector.hyc@gmail.com

or

HYC Sailing Program Coordinator:
Peter McCracken – 207-846-0150