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Junior Sailing
AYC Optis towed in river.jpg

2024 Session Dates
Four 2 week sessions
Session 1  -  June 24 – July 5

Session 2  -  July 8 - July 19

    Session 3  -  July 22 - August 2
           Session 4  -  August 5 - August 16

Welcome to AYC's Junior Sailing Program for both members and non-members. Last year about 85% of the students were from the community or summer visitors while 15% were members children or grandchildren. We also had 5 great-grandchildren of founding members!

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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.  We anticipate another busy season on the water and look forward to the energy of our Junior sailors as they develop their skills and have fun!

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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.

  • Classes will be held rain or shine.

 

For more information e-mail Anne Hussey at juniorsailing@arundelyachtclub.org

2024 Jr Sailing Schedule

Class Descriptions

Beginner Sailing (five 3-hour classes per 2-week session) -- $225

The Beginner Sailing 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 and in the ocean in front of Gooch's Beach. Students must be proficient swimmers and be comfortable in and around the water. We recommend a minimum of two Sessions of Beginner Sailing before progressing to the Advanced Beginner class.

Advanced Beginner Sailing (five 3-hour classes per 2-week session) -- $225

Advanced Beginner class is for sailors who have twice completed Beginner Sailing or have had comparable sailing instruction. Sailors practice solo sailing in an 8-foot Optimist sailing pram in the Kennebunk River basin or in the ocean in front of Gooch's Beach. More sailing terminology, seamanship skills and knot-tying are introduced. Students must be proficient swimmers and be comfortable in and around the water.

 

Intermediate Sailing (five 4-hour classes per 2-week session) -- $280

Intermediate Sailing class is offered to older children without prior sailing experience and to sailors who have mastered basic sailing principles in the Advanced Beginner class. Students sail 8-foot Optimist sailing prams ("Optis") or a 14-foot Club 420 two person sailboat in the ocean in front of Gooch's Beach. Students must be proficient swimmers, be confident in and around the water, weigh more than 100 pounds or be selected by an AYC Instructor.

 

Advanced Sailing (five 4-hour classes per 2-week session) -- $280

The Advanced Sailing class is offered for children who understand basic sailing principles and are ready to learn the basics of competitive racing. All students must be proficient swimmers. They will sail 14-foot Club 420 2-person sailboats in the ocean in front of Gooch's Beach. On occasion they may sail other boats. Students 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.

Our Boats

Optimist
The Optimist, commonly known as the “Opti,” is a popular one-person sailboat. Measuring almost eight feet in length, it is used to learn the basics of sailing in our Beginner, Advanced Beginner classes. The Opti is not only used for teaching, but is also raced competitively on an international basis by sailors up to the age of 16.
Some of our Intermediate sailors may have the opportunity to try racing Opti’s in weekly events with nearby clubs in the Maine Interclub Racing Circuit (MIRC).
The Opti is sailed in the Beginner and Advanced Beginner classes. At times the Intermediate class may sail the Opti.

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Club 420
The “420,” about 14 feet in length, is a two-person sailboat used in our Intermediate and Advanced classes. The boat is used by many clubs for both teaching and racing; it is also raced by the majority of high school programs and many college sailing teams. The Advanced class introduces students to more aspects of sailing and racing.
Our Advanced students are offered the opportunity to race in weekly regattas with nearby clubs in the Maine Interclub Racing Circuit (MIRC), allowing them to learn and develop their racing skills.
The Intermediate and Advanced classes primarily sail the 420.
 

Junior Sailing Code of Conduct

The goal of the AYC Junior Sailing Program is to provide a fun and safe summer experience for all of our junior sailors. We aspire to instill a lifelong love of sailing. We will teach good seamanship and we expect all participants to practice good sportsmanship. Participation in our program is contingent upon complying with this code.

These expectations are designed to provide a positive and safe learning environment for all of our sailors:
1.    Obey the instructors.
2.    Treat everyone with respect and cooperation.
3.    Handle AYC property and equipment with care.
4.    Do not use inappropriate language.

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It is rare for a Code violation  to occur. If one does occur, the following consequences will result:
1.    First violation:  Verbal warning.
2.    Second violation:  Parent notified.
3.    Third violation:  Sailor will miss a day of sailing.
4.    Fourth violation:  Sailor will immediately leave the program for the season.

What to Bring to Junior Sailing

Required

  • CDC-approved face mask

  • USCG-approved PFD (Life Jacket), with attached whistle

  • Shoes – Preferably closed toe water / sailing shoes

  • Water (in portable, unbreakable water bottle)

  • Snack

  • Quick drying shorts/swim suit

  • Sunscreen

 

Optional

  • Hat or Visor

  • Sunglasses

  • Towel

  • Sailing Gloves

  • Wind breaker/ rain coat/ spray jacket

  • Extra dry clothes

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