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: Monday 9-12, Wednesday 9-12, Friday 9-12
INTERMEDIATE OPTI:
Stepping into the Intermediate Opti Class, sailors will further their skills and confidence, preparing them for advanced sailing adventures. Designed for those comfortable sailing solo, this class teaches students in a variety of boats, including Optis, Zests and Ynglings, meeting four times a week. The curriculum builds on fundamental sailing skills, covering sailing in various breeze conditions, sailing independently in crowded areas, basics of navigation, and mastering maneuvers like tacking and gybing. Safety and boat handling remain paramount; this class will also expand students’ grasp of boat nomenclature, points of sail, and introduce spinnaker handling. This course also begins to introduce aspects of racing, allowing children the option to compete when ready. Get ready for a sailing journey filled with skill development and fun.
Upon completion of this class, they’ll be able to sail an Opti efficiently and with properly trimmed sails around a triangle course. They will be able to roll tack and gybe and understand the effect of positioning weight in the boat. They should be able to rig and unrig a sloop and coordinate steering, mainsail and jib trim between skipper and crew. With an instructor onboard, they should be able to rig, hoist, fly, gybe, douse, and unrig a spinnaker. They should be able to identify gusts and lulls as well as windshifts. They should understand and apply basic right-of-way rules, such as port/starboard, windward/leeward, overtaking. They should be able to tie the following knots: Double Sheet Bend, Double Bowline, Double Eight Knot, Rolling Hitch, Throwing a Line and Rigger’s Bend.
Class Schedule: Monday 1-4, Tuesday 9-12, Wednesday 1-4, Thursday 9-12
RACING OPTI:
In the Racing Opti class, our most advanced Opti sailors dive into the world of competitive sailing. This course is designed for those seeking to enhance their skills through a focus on technical aspects such as rigging and trimming for speed, precise body placement, advanced tacking and jibing techniques, and race tactics. Sailors will have ample opportunities to practice racing in an organized environment and participate in the NBYA regatta series at an advanced level. Emphasizing boat responsibility, care, and sportsmanship on and off the water, this class combines a commitment to excellence with the joy of bonding with teammates. Whether aspiring to compete in the Green, White, Blue, or Red Opti fleets, Racing Opti offers a fun and rewarding journey into the world of competitive sailing. The class mandates participation in the NBYA regatta series, elevating the experience beyond skill development.
Please Note: Racers and parents should be prepared to travel to several local 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 this class, students will be able to proficiently sail an Opti and will understand all aspects of racing. They should be able to adjust sail shape with the outhaul, boom vang, etc., and know how to make adjustments on the fly. They will be able to determine the favored end of the starting line as well as develop a starting strategy. They should know the rules at the marks and with obstructions, as well as limitations on altering the course. They will understand fair play, but know how to exploit the racing rules for a tactical advantage. They will be able to understand the genesis of sea breeze and effectively exploit puffs and shifts to their advantage. They will understand tides and currents, and know how to harness them in developing a race strategy (along with the wind). They will display sportsmanship and camaraderie with teammates and fellow competitors.
Class Schedule: Monday 1-4, Tuesday 1-4, Wednesday 1-4, Thursday 1-4, Friday 1-4
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: Monday 9-12, Tuesday 1-4, Thursday 9-12, Friday 9-12
RACING 420:
In the Racing 420 Class, we train the most advanced sailors keen on racing, making it ideal for those engaged in high school racing and aspiring to continue in college. Despite the competitive focus, this class is all about fostering teamwork, camaraderie, and friendships. Skipper/crew teams are thoughtfully formed during practices to build lasting connections and enhance overall learning. Sailors with a strong racing desire and solid boat-handling skills develop and hone their skills in advanced techniques like trapezes and spinnakers, racing drills, rules, and strategy. The curriculum focuses on fine-tuning techniques through hands-on practice in diverse weather conditions. The class mandates participation in the NBYA regatta series, elevating the experience beyond skill development.
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 this class, students will be able to proficiently skipper and crew a 420 and understand all aspects of racing. They should be able to adjust sail shape with the outhaul, boom vang, etc., and know how to make adjustments on the fly. They will be able to determine the favored end of the starting line as well as develop a starting strategy. They should know the rules at the marks and with obstructions, as well as limitations on altering the course. They will understand fair play, but know how to exploit the racing rules for a tactical advantage. They will be able to understand the genesis of sea breeze and effectively exploit puffs and shifts to their advantage. They will understand tides and currents, and know how to harness them in developing a race strategy (along with the wind). They will show sportsmanship and camaraderie with teammates and fellow competitors.
Class Schedule: Monday 1-4, Tuesday 1-4, Wednesday 1-4, Thursday 1-4, Friday 1-4
CRUISING/ADVENTURE SAILING:
Designed for sailors who have completed the Beginner 420 class but prefer non-competitive sailing, the Cruising/Adventure Sailing class offers a relaxed, enjoyable approach to sailing and developing boat-handling skills. Perfect for those who want to sail for pleasure, this class incorporates various boat types, including 420s, Quests, keelboats, and possibly larger boats. With a blend of sailing, navigation and EcoFun STEM activities, this course aspires to elevate sailors' proficiency, teach cruising and navigation skills, and cultivate confidence to create lifelong, competent, and confident sailors. Join for the joy of sailing, games, swimming, and exploration around Narragansett Bay.
Upon completion of this class, students will have a basic knowledge of navigation and boat handling. They should be able to do basic chart reading, as well as plot and sail a compass course. They should know how to use dead reckoning and have a basic understanding of using GPS as well as how to properly hail for help on a VHF in the case of an emergency. They should understand tides and currents, and how to properly set an anchor.
Class Schedule: Tuesday 9-3, Thursday 9-3