YOUTH SAILING PROGRAM

OUR GOALS

Provide a safe and friendly environment in where kids can grow and thrive
Deliver quality sailing instruction to all participants regardless of individual skill level
Provide scholarship opportunities to kids to be able to sail
Host both a competitive racing team and a comprehensive non-competitive learn to sail program
Offer mechanisms for parental participation
Contribute in a meaningful way to the overall quality of the club and the waterfront community

PROGRAMS

Optimist

Our Learn to Sail Optimist class is sailed on Opti sail cubes, a roto-molded plastic version of an Optimist dinghy, and Optimists. Sailors will learn to leave and return to the dock, basic sailing maneuvers, sailing on all points of sail, and how to right a boat from a capsize. Every sailor, regardless of experience, will have to pass a swim and capsize test the first day of the season

Intermediate Opti

This program focuses on a more advanced curriculum appropriate to age and skill level, teaching basic knots, rigging, basic maneuvers, right of way concepts, and more. Each sailor must pass a swim and capsize test the first day of the season, regardless of sailing experience.

Teen Sailing

This program is designed around the older kids, from ages 13-17 teaching basic knots, rigging, basic maneuvers, right of way concepts, and more. If your teenager has no sailing experience, this is the group they will be in. Each sailor must pass a swim and capsize test the first day of the season, regardless of sailing experience. If your sailor has gone through the beginner level, they can move onto the Beginner Laser or Intro to Dinghy Sailing classes.

Beginner Laser

This course is dedicated to learning how to sail a laser single-handed.  AGES 13-17

Beginner C420

This class is designed to introduce sailors to double handed sailing – sailing with a crew and skipper. Class is sailed in the Club 420, the USA’s premier double handed trainer. The C420 is a very physically demanding boat and as such requires a minimum weight of 110 pounds and sailors must be at least 13 years old to participate in class.

The Beginner 420 group is a new offering, designed for those who are interested in joining the team, or sailing doublehanded boats – they will be focusing on boathandling, communication, the basic mechanics of a sailing race, with the goal of building the skillsets for racing. After a season of dedicated practice, a sailor can be invited to join the 420 Racing Team.

Optimist Green Fleet

The Green Fleet Optimist sailor has already learned how to sail but wants to take the next step into their developing passion for Sailing. In Green Fleet, sailors learn the basics of racing: how a Regatta functions, advanced boat handling, tactics and strategy. The Green Fleet Optimist program is a great way for a young sailor to foster self-discipline, confidence, camaraderie, and respect for the sport.

Optimist Red, White, Blue

The Optimist Red, White, and Blue Fleets are separated on age, not skill level and are the highest level of racing an optimist sailor can participate in. These sailors are dedicated and motivated to continue perfecting their sailing skills, and are recommended to purchase their own boat and gear. Sailors advance into this fleet once they demonstrate a working knowledge of the racing rules and tactics, and a maturity level appropriate to the level of competition.

Fleet Assignments by USODA Guidelines

  • White Fleet is for skippers who are 10 years old or under.
  • Blue Fleet is for skippers who are 11 or 12 years old
  • Red Fleet is for skippers who are 13, 14, or 15 years old

ILCA 4

The ILCA is the Men’s and Women’s Olympic single-handed class, and they all start off on the ILCA 4 rig. A smaller rig than the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7, it is the youth version of the ILCA dinghy. The ILCA is a very physically demanding boat and as such requires a minimum weight of 110 pounds to handle the forces of the sail.

ILCA 6

The ILCA 6 is the next step up from ILCA 4 with a 30% increase in sail area. The minimum skipper weight for this rig is 130 pounds and is officially considered for ISAF ranking and can compete in officially sanctioned events such as US Sailing OPEN Series and the US Sailing Youth Championships

Club 420

This is our competitive options for doublehanded sailors – sailing with a crew and skipper. The 420 Racing Team competes in the Club 420 class, the USA’s premier double handed trainer class. The C420 is a very physically demanding boat and as such requires a minimum weight of 110 pounds and sailors must be at least 13 years old to participate in class.

The Club 420 group is a new offering at CGSC – they will be focusing on boathandling, communication, the basic mechanics of a sailing race, with the goal of building the skillsets for racing. Our aim is to race the local and regional 420 events with the aim of developing a serious contender for North American championship.

Practice will be twice a week, incorporating physical training and theory sessions. Boats will be provided for the sailors. Novice sailors are encouraged to sign up for Beginner C420 program to add to their training time.

WindSurfing

Unleash your child’s inner wind rider with our exciting youth windsurfing program! Kids ages 6 and up can experience the thrill of gliding across the water, powered by the wind and their own sense of adventure. Our qualified instructors provide a safe and supportive environment where kids learn the basics of windsurfing in a fun and engaging way. From standing up on the board to catching their first puff of wind, every moment is a chance to build confidence, coordination, and a lifelong love for the sport. Sailors can choose to come once or twice a week on Mondays and/or Thursdays from 4:30pm to sunset.

ATTENTION PARENTS

Parent participation is essential in order to guarantee a smooth sailing season. Make sure to check out the regatta schedule to figure out which regattas you can attend. Once you review the regatta schedule and select the ones you will attend, please let us to know which regattas you are attending.

You will also find there slots for towing volunteers, snack and drink volunteers for the kids and lunch for the coaches. Please remember that our volunteers are our lifeblood and we could not do this without you guys!

Parents who volunteer for towing are reimbursed for fuel expenses.