Learn to Sail Optis

Novice sailors are introduced to the world of sailing aboard a roto-molded, self-bailing, opti trainer called the Sail Cube. Our Learn to Sail program teaches young skippers how to leave and return to the dock, basic sailing maneuvers, how to sail 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 on the first day of the season.

Intermediate Opti Sailing

This program focuses on a more advanced curriculum appropriate to age and skill level. Areas of focus include teaching basic knots, proper rigging given wind conditions, improving basic boat maneuvers and handling skills, right of way concepts, and more.

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 Fleet

The Optimist Red, White, and Blue Fleets are separated by 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 – skippers aged 10 years old and under.
• Blue Fleet –  skippers aged 11 or 12 years old
• Red Fleet – skippers aged 13, 14, or 15 years old

Beginner Lasers

This course is designed for older students with little to no sailing background who want to experience single-handed sailing on an Olympic class boat. Sailors will learn to sail using the Laser 4.7 rig, the smaller, youth version sail of the Laser which serves as a great introduction to the boat. Beginners will learn how to leave and return to the dock, steer, tack and gybe on all points of sail, rig their boats, develop a basic understanding of right of way concepts, and other basic fundamentals. Sailors in this class must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.

Laser Development Team

Once sailors have successfully completed the Beginner Laser class or have sized out of Optis, sailors will step up to the Radial rig, which has a 30% larger sail area than the Laser 4.7. The Laser Radial Fleet is officially considered for ISAF (the world governing body of sailing) ranking and can compete in officially sanctioned events. Sailors in this class will learn more advanced boat handling techniques, gain a deeper understanding of sailing strategy and tactics and participate in local regattas.  Radial Fleet sailors must weigh a minimum of 130 pounds.

Laser Racing Team

This program is for advanced Laser sailors with racing experience who are under 19 years of age. This program constitutes an elite racing program with the aim of attending ILCA (Laser)  sanctioned regattas that  qualify for ICLA Continental and World Championships. Sailors must provide a racing resume and be approved by the Head Coach, or have graduated from the Laser Development Team.

Beginner & Intermediate C420s

This class introduces students to double-handed sailing or sailing with a skipper and crew, on a Club 420, the nation’s premier double-handed trainer. Ideal for sailors who wish to join their high school sailing team or compete in double-handed events, the class will focus on boat handling, communication, and racing concepts with the goal of developing the skill sets needed for sailboat racing. Sailors in this fleet must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.

After successful completion of the Beginner class, sailors who wish to advance their sailing skills but are not ready to commit to a racing schedule can step up to the Intermedia group. The class will build upon the beginner course and focus on fine tuning boat handling skills, skipper and crew communications, wind awareness understanding, proper rigging in different weather conditions as well as additional exposure to sailboat racing.  Following the completion of the Beginner & Intermediate courses, sailors are encouraged to join the Development Team.

C420 Development Team 

The class is for those sailors who have at least a year’s worth of consistent C420 sailing experience and are ready to make a commitment to the sport.  The course will is designed to prepare sailors for regatta racing. Practices will center on improving their boat handling skills on all points of sail and during the various maneuvers encountered during a race. Developing an understanding of sailing theory, strategy and tactics will also play an important role. Depending on the coaches’ skill assessment of each member, sailors may be invited to participate in local regattas. Sailors on this team must be 13 years of age and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.

C420 Racing

This is our competitive option for double-handed sailors. C420 sailors on the racing team will fine tune their boat handling and communications skills, while building their knowledge and understanding of racing tactics and strategy. The team will participate in  local and regional C420 events with the goal of developing a serious contender for the North American championship. Practice will incorporate physical training and theory sessions as well.

Beginner & Intermediate Windsurfing

A new offering at CGSC, our windsurfing program provides the perfect option for those sailors who seek a faster and exciting pace on the water. Our child friendly and light weight equipment allows kids as young as 6 to discover the fun and adventure of windsurfing. Beginners learn the basic positions on the board, how to use each hand to control and power the sail, and learn how to tack and gybe. By incorporating fun drills on the water, students develop critical balancing skills on the boards.

Once proficient at the basic skills, sailors move up to the intermediate level where they learn how body and sail position, along with weight distribution facilitates their ability to better control direction and gain speed.  The goal of the intermediate program is to get windsurfers to sail upwind, plane on their boards, begin entry level racing, and prepare them for foiling.

Windsurfers who enjoy competing will have the opportunity to participate in local regattas throughout the academic year. The ultimate goal of the windsurfing program is to develop a high performance foiling team that can compete at various regional and national regattas.

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.