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Pathways for Sailing Progression

  • Have a question what to sign your sailor up for?

    Have a question about what class to sign your sailor up for?
    The Pathways for Sailing Progression will help you select the right class for your sailor.  We are happy to answer questions via our Sailing Program Director, Alice Donahue:  .

    Pathways for Sailing Progression

    We would love to have you join us for as many sessions as possible! Our goal is to have a fun program that develops great sailors. Experience tells us that more time on the water enhances learning and builds lasting friendships, so we encourage you to register for multiple sessions!

    Beginner Sailors:

    No sailing experience (ages 6-8):
    Beginner sailors ages 6-8 should join our Guppies class. This class meets three times a week and teaches safety on the water, rigging, steering, basic trimming, and points-of-sail. The goal of Guppies is to get students familiar with basic sailing concepts and being in an Optimist dinghy.

    No sailing experience or previously enrolled in Recruits (ages 8-11):
    Beginner sailors ages 8-11 should join our Recruits class. Designed to get students familiar with the basics of sailing, this class teaches safety on the water, rigging, steering, basic trimming, and points-of-sail. The goals of this class are for students to be able to single handedly rig an Opti, safely dock, and sail an upwind course. 

    Continuing Sailors (ages 9-11) who weigh less then 100lbs:
    Students ages 9-11, who weigh less then 100lbs and who have successfully learned to rig an Opti, safely dock, and sail an upwind course on their own should register for our Opti Green class. This class teaches the basic rules of racing and deepens the skills of a successful Recruit. Motivated students will have the opportunity to participate in regattas. We recommend, but do not require, concurrent participation in Recruits.

    Continuing Sailors (ages 10-11) and at least 100lbs :
    Students ages 10-11 should join our afternoon Mates class. This class introduces students to double handed sailing in a Club 420. Mates reinforces sailing basics. Advanced Recruits weighing at least 100lbs are heavily encouraged to join the Mates class. We have a weight requirement for Mate’s classes due to the bigger size of 420s, making it necessary for a minimum weight to control a larger boat. 

    Intermediate Sailors:

    Beginner and intermediate Sailors (ages 10-15) and at least 100lbs:
    Beginner sailors ages 10-15 should join our Mates class. This class is designed to  familiarize sailors with the basics of sailing a double handed Club 420 dinghy. The goals of the Mates class include water safety, docking, rigging, basic sail trim, steering, and points of sail.

    Intermediate Sailors (ages 10-17) and at least 100lbs:
    Continuing students ages 10-17 who have mastered the basics of double handed sailing are encouraged to join us in the morning for our ATG class. This class offers advanced Mates an opportunity to extend their sailing skills with spinnakers, trapezes, navigation, and the basic rules of racing. Racing drills help sailors improve their sailing techniques. The class is not all about competition – but about honing sailing skills.

    Continuing and Racing:

    Optimist Racing (ages 9-15):
    Students ages 9-15 who are interested in racing should join our Opti Race Team. Starting in Opti Green Fleet, these sailors will build their racing skills.

    Racing Sailors (10-15) and at least 100lbs:
    Experienced racers ages 10-15 who are enrolled in Opti Race Team should consider joining ATG in the morning to further their sailing education in our Club 420s.

    Club 420 Racing (ages 12-17) with approval and at least 100lbs:
    Students who have learned the basics of racing in ATG and want to compete in regattas should join the 420 Race Team. This class meets all day and enables students to master all skills they’ve learned so far. It introduces advanced racing tactics and maneuvers. The 420 Race Team participates in the HYC Junior Regatta and other away regattas throughout the summer.