The goal of our program is to offer a fun and safe summer experience as the students learn and practice good seamanship and good sportsmanship. All sailors are required to provide their own USCG-approved life jacket which must be worn during class. All sailors should wear clothing designed for getting wet and staying warm. We strongly suggest that SPF 30 or higher sunscreen be applied before class. Please see important "What to Bring" page here.

Opti 1 (five 3-hour classes per 2-week session) -- AYC Members $110/Non-members $135

The Opti 1 class is offered for children 7 years of age and up who have little or no prior sailing experience. Students meet at the Yacht Club for instruction in subjects such as sailing terminology, basic seamanship, knot-tying and how to rig their sailboats. They sail 8-foot Optimist sailing prams ("Optis") in the Kennebunk River basin. Students must pass a swim test and be comfortable in and around the water. We recommend that both sections of Opti 1 be repeated at least once, especially for younger sailors.

Please note there are two sections of Opti 1:

Opti 1A is for children new to sailing, as well as those who have taken Opti 1 before but wish to refresh or expand their skills before moving on to Opti 1B.

Opti 1B is for beginner sailors who have completed Opti 1A and are ready to transition out of the basin and begin to sail in the ocean in front of Gooch's Beach.

The Opti 2 class is offered for children who have successfully completed Opti 1B at least once or have had other comparable sailing instruction and are ready to advance their sailing skills. Students sail 8-foot Optimist sailing prams ("Optis") in the ocean in front of Gooch's Beach, near the mouth of the Kennebunk River. Students must pass a swim test, be confident of their basic sailing skills and be comfortable in and around the water.

The 420s class is offered for children 11 and up who have successfully completed Opti 2, as well as older children without prior sailing experience. Students without prior sailing experience must be comfortable in and around the water. All students must pass a swim test. They will sail 14-foot Club 420 2-person sailboats in the ocean in front of Gooch's Beach, near the mouth of the Kennebunk River. On occasion they may also sail 8-foot Optimist prams. Students will learn the basics of competitive racing and may have the opportunity to travel with an instructor to other Maine yacht clubs to race. Transportation to racing sites is provided by the sailors’ parents via carpool.

Please note:

• Payment should be sent with completed registration and medical forms.
• Space is limited and placement in a class is not guaranteed until you receive confirmation by mail/email.
• The classes are non-refundable due to limited space.
• Arundel Yacht Club reserves the right to place a junior sailor in the appropriate class of instruction.

For more information call Claire Julian at 967-9828 or
email juniorsailing@arundelyachtclub.org.