Our sailing curriculum offers everything from learn-to-sail classes for beginners to racing instruction on both Optimists and 420 sailboats. We utilize sailing to help our students grow in confidence, self-reliance, and to foster problem-solving skills they need in their everyday lives. Sailing provides our students the opportunity to work both independently and as a team. We believe that these team-building skills we teach on the water are not only critical for sailing – they are critical for life!
If you are unsure which class is best for your sailor, please visit our page: Pathways for Sailing Progression.
Guppies Class:
This introduction to sailing class is for 6-8 year olds. The class is very hands-on, allowing young sailors to gain comfort on the water. The sailing will be done in Optimist dinghies, 420 dinghies, and Sonar sailboats. The class will have many games and lots of fun! *Sailors must have completed Kindergarten or equivalent to be appropriate for Guppies.
3-days/week, 2 week sessions: Tu/Th/Fr – 8:30am – 11:30am
$315/2 weeks
Recruits Class:
Recruits is designed as an intro to single-handed dinghies. Students will start off double-handed and work up to single-handing in Optimist dinghies or Sonar keelboats as a group when appropriate for the weather. These sailors are usually age 8-11 (exceptions subject to prior approval). No prior sailing experience is required.
Monday-Friday, 2 week sessions – 8:30am – 11:30am
$405/2 weeks
Mates Class – moved to afternoon programming:
Mates at HYC are graduates of the Recruits class – and considered intermediate sailors based on either skill, weight, or age. Most Mates are age 10-15. Mates introduces sailors to double-handed dinghies and is ideal for students who aren’t as interested in racing. The Mates program solidifies and extends the skills and knowledge learned as Recruits. The sailors build confidence through experience. They learn sailing rules and the basics of navigation. Mates are introduced to a variety of sailing games and drills to continually hone their skills.
Monday-Friday, 2 week sessions – 12:30pm – 4:30pm
$420/2 weeks
Advanced Training Group (ATG) Class – now offered in the morning:
The ATG class serves as a bridge between sailing and racing and is designed for experienced Mates and Opti racers who want to extend their sailing skills through spinnakers, trapeze, sonars. These intermediate sailors have mastered the Mates curriculum and can confidently and safely sail a 420 both upwind and downwind and have the desire to race, but need a boost of confidence and practice with specific skills, including trapeze work and use of spinnakers. The Mate who has mastered most skills but who sees the future as a “cruiser”, rather than a “racer,” might also be a good fit for this class which can boost the sailor’s skills set.
Monday-Friday, 2 week sessions – 8:30am – 11:30am
$420/2 weeks
Optimist Green Fleet:
The Opti Green Fleet is for sailors age 9-13 who want to extend their Sailing skills and develop toward racing. Participants are required to have mastered single-hand sailing. It is recommended to take concurrently with Recruits, to build skills faster with full day programming. No minimum session, although 2 or more strongly encouraged.
Monday-Friday, 2 week sessions – 12:30pm – 4:30pm
$445/2 weeks
Optimist Race Team:
The Opti Race Team is for sailors age 10-15 who are motivated to learn the art of racing. The Optimist is a small single-handed dinghy specifically designed for the young sailor. The boat-handling and tactical skills learned through the program will be the foundation for their future racing careers. The sailors will compete in local Optimist regattas, as well as other away regattas in New England. Opti Race Team is broken into two-week sessions. Minimum commitment is 2 sessions. Please contact the Sailing Program Director if interested in Opti Race Team.
Monday–Friday – 2 week sessions, with a minimum of two sessions required – Additional sessions *strongly* encouraged.
$445/2 weeks – 12:30pm – 4:30pm
420 Race Team:
The 420 Race Team is a logical next step for students who have grown out of the optimist dinghy and are looking to continue to improve their boat handling & tactical skills. A 420 is a double-handed dinghy that is raced competitively by junior sailing programs, as well as many high school & collegiate sailing programs. When committing to the race team, sailors are strongly encouraged to sign up for as many weeks as possible. Minimum commitment is 2 sessions. Please contact the Sailing Program Director if interested in 420 Race Team.
Monday–Friday – 2 week sessions, with a minimum of two sessions required – Additional sessions *strongly* encouraged.
$890/2 weeks – 8:30am – 4:30pm + lunch bunch
The HYC staff members work with parents to facilitate travel, help sailors transport their boats and equipment, and they provide on the water coaching at each regatta.
When planning for away regattas, please be aware that there will be additional fees (e.g. food & lodging), and that parents are expected to care for their children with respect to food, travel, lodging, etc. For students to participate in ‘away’ regattas – parental chaperones and volunteers are needed to ensure safety, success, and FUN!
Discounts are available for HYC members and for Sailors enrolled in multiple sessions.
If you would like to inquire about Scholarship, please contact
Check out our 2019 season slideshow here!
Check out our 2020 season slideshow here!