What should my child bring to class?
Sailors must bring a Coast Guard approved life jacket (Type III PFD) clearly marked with their name and have a whistle firmly attached. They should also wear closed, soft sole shoes (no flip flops!) If your child is enrolled in a full-day class should bring a healthy lunch! Please bring lots of fluids to class! Water, juice, low-sugar and non-caffeinated beverages are best. HYC also has a water cooler in the clubhouse, so remember to bring a re-usable water bottle! Don’t forget sunblock, sunglasses, hats, as well as appropriate clothing including a change of clothes and rainy-day gear, and a towel. (Remember, it is usually much cooler on the water than at your house!)
Will my child have to demonstrate their ability to swim?
YES! We will conduct swim tests for all students on the first day of lessons, so please bring a swimsuit and towel to the first day of class.
Students must be able to swim 50 feet in a PFD.
It is raining! Will my child have class?
Classes are held in all kinds of weather. In the event of a severe thunderstorm warning, there will be no water-based activities and classes will take place in the Club House. Please make sure to send your child with the appropriate weather gear, as we sail in the rain.
How do I know what class to enroll my child in?
Please refer to our Class Descriptions page for information on each class and our Pathways for Sailing Progression for a detailed answer to this question.
If you would like additional input regarding what class would be the best fit for your child, feel free to contact our Sailing Director, Alice Donahue, sailingdirector.hyc@gmail.com.
Am I too big to sail an Opti?
The Optimist is the boat used for beginners to racing sailors, who weigh less than 125 lbs. The Optimist is the largest one-design class in the world with more than a half-million boats being sailed and raced competitively around the world by kids ages 5-15.
My child is turning 8 during the Summer, can they do Recruits?
We will consider making an exception for 7 year olds who have participated in Guppies for multiple sessions and have received Director approval.
How do I get in touch if my child won’t make it to class, or if I need to get a message him/her during the day?
Call HYC at 207-865-4949 or email Sailing Director, Alice Donahue:
I am having some problems with online registration, CampDocs. Can someone help me with this?
Yes, please email our registration guru, Sailing Program Chair, Susan Tananbaum, sailingprogram.hyc@gmail.com.
What if I need to cancel or change our registration?
PAYMENT POLICY:
To ensure that HYC can offer our sailing experience to as many young sailors as
possible, we employ a strict registration and payment process. To register, HYC
requires an initial payment of $200.00 per session, $75.00 of which is non-
refundable. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis. As spaces fill
quickly, we recommend that you register early. Final payment of the total
balance of tuition is due April 1st. No child may participate in class, unless all
fees are paid in full.
Any sailor enrolling after April 1st must pay all fees in full at the time of
registration.
If a session is full, registrants can opt for a place on the wait list. Payment will be
due as space becomes available.
Late payment after April 1 may result in moving a registrant to the waitlist in
order to make space for a child on the waitlist.
REFUND POLICY:
A 100% refund, less $75.00 per session, will be
granted for those requesting a cancellation by April 15th.
A 50% refund, less $75.00 per session, will be
granted for those requesting a cancellation between April 16th and May 15th.
A 50% refund, less $75.00 per session, will be
granted after May 15th, ONLY if we can fill a spot from the waitlist.
No refund will be granted to any sailor who, after fair warning, is dismissed
because of behavioral misconduct or violation of safety requirements.
HYC will consider exceptions to the above policies for exceptional and
extenuating circumstances, on a case-by-case basis.
What discounts can I apply to my Sailors registration?
All participants enrolled in two or more sessions are eligible for a 5% discount per session, COUPON: MULTISESSION2025.
How are you planning to operate a Youth Sailing Program safely?
The Sailing Director, Registrar, and Sailing Program Oversight Committee place an emphasis on safety, have Safe Boating, first aid, CPR/AED certifications, and review our emergency procedures regularly.