How do I sign up for lessons?
Please use our online registration system to complete all sailor information as early as possible.
If you are a HYC Member, please ensure you have identified this on your registration form to accurately apply your membership program discount.
In accordance with state law, sailors will not be allowed to attend the sailing program until their completed health profile, liability waiver and emergency contacts have been received in their registration profile. We require 100% health profile completion by June 1st, including information about allergies, medications, behavior or injury limitations, etc. Parents/guardians are responsible for reviewing and updating this information on an annual basis.
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, come prepared with a healthy lunch! The yacht club has two refrigerators for lunches to be stored if needed. 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 (except the adult program) on the first day of lessons, so please bring a swimsuit and towel to the first day of class.
Students must be able to:
– tread water for two minutes in a PFD
– swim 50 feet fully clothed in a PFD
Please note* Swimming is only allowed in a designated area under the direct supervision of an Instructor.
It is raining! Will my child have class?
Classes are held in all kinds of weather: even if it’s raining. The one exception is if there is a threat of severe storm or hurricane. In this event, class participants will be called at home, and informed of the decision to cancel class.
How do I know what class to enroll my child in?
Please refer here for a detailed answer to this question. For a quick description please refer below.
– If your child is new to sailing and 8 years old or older, they would typically start with our Recruits class.
– If your child is an intermediate sailor – and has a handle on beginner sailing topics such as points of sail, parts of the boat, and basic boat handling skills, they are probably a fit for our Mates class.
– If your child is an advanced intermediate sailor looking for new challenges they typically would either move to ATG or Opti Race team!
For a more detailed description of each class, please refer to our class descriptions page.
If you would like additional input regarding what class would be the best fit for your child, feel free to contact our Sailing Director, Nathan Selian, for their input!
Am I too big to sail an Opti?
The Optimist is the boat used for sailors – from beginners to racers, who weigh less than 125 lbs and can comfortably maneuver in the boat. 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?
Our beginner-intermediate program begins at age 8, due to the age range within that group and the size of student needed to independently sail an Opti. Exceptions will be considered for 7 year olds who have had multiple sessions of prior Guppys or other sailing experience and with 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, Nathan Selian:
I am having some problems with online registration, CampDocs. Can someone help me with this?
Yes, please email our registration guru, David Joyce:
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?
HYC members are eligible for a 7.5% discount per session. Members, please check your email for info regarding a membership coupon code.
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 has reviewed all State, local and CDC guidelines and US Sailing recommendations to develop a plan for operating our program with adaptability, flexibility and consideration for the risks of COVID-19 exposure.