OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Sakonnet Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program, where our mission is for children to enjoy their time on the water while learning nautical skills and forging lasting friendships. Our junior sailing program boasts a team of experienced instructors dedicated to teaching a wide range of classes, from introductory boating to competitive racing in Optis, C420s and Ynglings. Our students have an abundance of opportunities to explore sailing in a fun and supportive environment. SYC has a vibrant racing team that actively participates in Narragansett Bay Yachting Association (NBYA) junior regattas throughout the summer. We host a junior NBYA regatta at home once a summer in addition to our own junior club championships.
Our Junior Sailing Program strives to foster a lifelong love of sailing for children aged 9–17. While we focus on imparting sailing skills, our broader aim is to create an atmosphere where children and families can form friendships, learn resourcefulness, accountability, and teamwork, and enjoy their time at our club.
Our Harbor Camp program offers an introduction to our harbor and life on the water for children aged 6–8. Like traditional day camps, our Harbor Camp places paramount importance on safety and fun above all else!
For Adult Members, SYC offers adult sailing lessons taught by our US Sailing-certified instructors. These lessons are for all skill levels and are tailored to the skill level of the sailors in each lesson. Contact the Sailing Program Director to arrange your lesson!
HARBOR CAMP:
Harbor Camp provides an enchanting introduction to the world of water for children aged 6–8. Students delve into a variety of activities, safely navigating small watercraft, learning about weather conditions, harbor ecology, nautical terms, and knots. Each day brings new adventures, including rowing, stand-up paddleboarding, sea glass hunts, games, beach play, and more. With themed curricula changing weekly, children will explore various maritime aspects, including weather and wind direction. Guided by experienced counselors, participants can also opt for exciting excursions like hiking to Lloyds Beach, hunting for flotsam, or building a raft. Additionally, children will have the opportunity to experience sailing with JSP Instructors if they choose. Sign up for a single week or the entire 8-week season for a rewarding maritime journey.
Upon completing Harbor Camp, children will have gained fundamental water safety skills, learned how to get in and out of small watercraft and understand the basics of weather conditions. They'll be familiar with harbor ecology, nautical terms, and basic knots. Moreover, they will have developed confidence around the harbor, the yacht club and boats, acquired a foundational understanding of maritime concepts, and experienced the joy of sailing, providing an excellent introduction as they transition into the Junior Sailing Program.
Class Schedule: Monday 9-12, Tuesday 9-12, Wednesday 9-12, Thursday 9-12
NOVICE:
Our Novice Class is the perfect introduction for children with little to no sailing experience. Our focus is on creating a fun and engaging environment where students can build new friendships while learning the fundamentals of sailing. This class covers essential topics such as wind direction, boat parts, rigging and de-rigging, basic knots, and points of sail. Students sail in small groups, accompanied by instructors, on our Quests and Ynglings. Students also will be taught to row and handle a rowboat. Through a combination of hands-on experience and STEM-related activities, participants gain confidence on the water and develop key sailing skills.
Upon completion of this class, students should have basic knowledge of hulls and rigging, safety measures, basic boat functions and rowing skills. With an instructor in the boat, they should be able to rig and unrig, trim the mainsail and jib, and steer. In a rowboat, they should be able to row forwards, backwards and turn, as well as leave and land on a float. They should be able to identify wind direction while sailing. They should be able to tie the following knots: Figure Eight, Clove Hitch, Bowline, Cleat Hitch, and Square Knot.
Class Schedule: Monday 9-12, Wednesday 9-12, Friday 9-12
BEGINNER OPTI:
Transitioning from Novice, our Beginner Opti Class is perfect for sailors ready to take on the challenge of sailing primarily in Optimist prams (Optis). In this class, children will sail both double-handed and solo, building on skills acquired in the Novice Class. Emphasis is placed on steering and trimming on every point of sail and independent safety skills. The program combines on-and off-water activities to ensure a comprehensive understanding of rigging, steering, trimming, capsize recovery, and boat-handling in light-air conditions. Sailors will progress from sailing in pairs to sailing alone, fostering confidence in their abilities. Students will sail primarily in Optis, with some classes being held in Zests and other SYC boats. Join us for an exciting journey developing skills and independence.
Upon completion of this class, students will be able to sail an Optimist pram on their own. They should be able to rig and unrig an Opti and Zest, leave and land at the dock, secure the boat to dock, steer and trim sails while beating, reaching, running, tacking and gybing. They should be able to get out of irons, adjust the daggerboard appropriately, capsize and right an Opti and Zest. They should be able to identify wind direction and strength using tools like flags, waves, etc. They should be able to tie the following knots: Sheet Bend, Two Half-hitches, Coiling a Line.
Class Schedule: TBD
ADVANCED OPTI:
Stepping into the Advanced Opti Class, sailors will further their skills and confidence while taking on more challenging aspects of sailing and racing. Designed for those who are comfortable sailing solo, this class offers a mix of technical skill-building, advanced boat-handling, and the opportunity to explore competitive sailing. Students will develop proficiency in various conditions, refine their understanding of sail trim and weight positioning, and master advanced maneuvers like roll tacking and gybing. For sailors ready to dive into racing, this class introduces key concepts such as starting strategies, mark roundings, and racecourse tactics. Emphasis is placed on sportsmanship, teamwork, and boat care while fostering a love for competition and camaraderie. Students will also have opportunities to practice racing during class and participate in local regattas, applying their skills in a fun, supportive environment.
This class encourages personal growth, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence, whether students aim to become skilled recreational sailors or competitive racers. For those participating in regattas, parents’ involvement in transportation and logistics will be essential. Advanced Opti offers a thrilling and rewarding next step for young sailors ready to challenge themselves and elevate their skills.
Upon completion of this class, sailors will confidently sail an Opti in a variety of conditions, efficiently navigate triangle courses, and demonstrate advanced techniques such as roll tacks, precision gybing, and optimal sail trim adjustments. They will be able to adjust sail shape using tools like the outhaul and boom vang and make real-time adjustments to optimize performance. They will understand and apply fundamental racing rules, including port/starboard, windward/leeward, and mark roundings, and will learn to evaluate wind shifts, tides, and currents to develop effective race strategies. They will also understand fair play while leveraging the racing rules for tactical advantages. Additional skills include spinnaker handling (with instructor support) and knot proficiency with the: Double Sheet Bend, Double Bowline, Double Eight Knot, Rolling Hitch, Throwing a Line, and Rigger’s Bend.
Class Schedule: TBD
BEGINNER 420:
In the Beginner 420 class, sailors transition from Optis to explore Club 420s. This class is for sailors interested in advancing to 420 racing, as well as those looking to continue honing their skills for pleasure sailing. Emphasizing the development of competent 420 sailors, the curriculum covers rigging and unrigging the 420, skippering and crewing, long-distance sails, seamanship skills, docking, rules of the road, and introduces 420 spinnaker and trapeze techniques. Basic and advanced boat handling are stressed, ensuring each sailor becomes proficient as both skipper and crew. Instructors play a role in deciding and assigning pairings, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that builds friendships and camaraderie among students. This is the perfect class for those considering high school and college sailing.
Upon completion of this class, students will be able to rig and unrig a 420, including spinnaker. They will be able to effectively skipper a 420, roll tack and gybe, play the main, properly trim the boat on all points of sail, get in and out of irons, hoist and douse the spinnaker and steer the boat without a rudder. As crew, they should be able to roll tack and gybe, play the jib, properly trim on all points of sail, raise the spinnaker pole as well as fly, gybe and douse the spinnaker. Crews should be able to trapeze upwind, while skippers should be able to safely navigate the wind and waves with crew on the wire. They should be able to capsize and right a 420 properly.
Class Schedule: TBD
ADVANCED SAILING:
The Advanced Sailing Class is the pinnacle of the SYC Junior Sailing Program, combining the full scope of Racing 420 and Cruising/Adventure Sailing into a single, dynamic program. This class is designed for experienced sailors seeking to advance their competitive skills, deepen their cruising knowledge, and take on new leadership opportunities as future instructors.
Racing Focus: On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1–4 PM, students will focus on developing advanced racing skills in a collaborative and supportive environment. This portion of the curriculum emphasizes teamwork, camaraderie, and building strong skipper/crew partnerships, thoughtfully formed during practices to foster lasting connections and enhance learning. Sailors will refine techniques in starts, mark roundings, and upwind/downwind tactics while mastering the use of spinnakers and trapezes. Through engaging drills and practice races, participants will hone their boat-handling and strategic skills. While participation in regattas such as the NBYA series is not required, students are strongly encouraged to compete to apply their training in a real-world setting and further elevate their abilities.
Cruising Focus: On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM–3 PM, students will embark on cruising adventures that blend sailing, navigation, and EcoFun STEM activities, elevating their proficiency while building confidence as lifelong sailors. This portion of the curriculum is designed to teach practical cruising and navigation skills, including route planning, anchoring, and safety techniques, all while fostering a deep appreciation for exploration. Sailors will enjoy the joy of sailing, games, swimming, and discovery around Narragansett Bay, cultivating a sense of adventure and camaraderie. By combining technical skills with fun and exploration, this program aspires to create competent, confident sailors who are ready for any on-water challenge.
Instructor Training: As part of the Advanced Sailing Class, students will be given the opportunity to step into Junior Instructor (JI) roles, assisting with younger classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 AM–12 PM. While we cannot guarantee a specific number of hours, every effort will be made to provide all participants with the chance to put their Advanced Sailing skills into practice. This hands-on experience is invaluable for developing leadership, communication, and teaching abilities, ensuring students are well-prepared to transition seamlessly into future instructor roles.
By combining these elements, the Advanced Sailing Class ensures that participants build advanced skills across all facets of sailing while preparing to become leaders both on and off the water.
Please Note: Racers and parents should be prepared to travel to several events throughout the summer. A typical summer includes three 1-day regattas and the 3-day Junior Race Week towards the end of summer. Parents will play a crucial role in coordinating carpools, driving sailors to and from regatta sites, and helping to trailer boats with direction from SYC staff. Additionally, there will be a mandatory parents’ meeting at the start of the season for all racing participants to organize this group for the season ahead. Parents’ active involvement is key to the success of our racing program, and we look forward to collaborating with you to ensure a well-coordinated experience for our young sailors.
Upon completion of the Advanced Sailing Class, students will be proficient in skippering and crewing a 420, with a comprehensive understanding of both racing and cruising techniques. They will confidently adjust sail shape using tools like the outhaul and boom vang, make tactical on-the-fly adjustments, and determine the favored end of the starting line to develop effective starting strategies. Students will understand and apply the racing rules, including those at marks and with obstructions, while demonstrating fair play and leveraging the rules for tactical advantage. They will gain knowledge of wind patterns, such as the genesis of sea breeze, and learn to exploit puffs, shifts, tides, and currents for strategic positioning during races. Beyond racing, students will develop foundational navigation and cruising skills, including chart reading, plotting and sailing a compass course, and using dead reckoning. They will understand the basics of GPS and VHF operation for emergency communication and know how to properly set an anchor. By the end of the program, students will embody the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and confidence, ready to excel as sailors and potential future instructors.
Class Schedule: TBD