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Junior Sailing

The Orient Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program’s mission is to foster a lifelong interest in sailing. We offer a superior program led by US Sailing Level-One Certified Instructors who are committed to providing a safe, challenging, and supportive environment for all sailors.

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ABOUT the OYC JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM

The OYC Junior Sailing Program aims to be one of the best programs in Eastern Long Island. Our dedicated, experienced and qualified instructors, under the director of our Pablo Renna, focus on ensuring that our sailors learn the joy of sailing in both leisurely and racing environments. Sailors may learn to sail with us starting at the age of 8 and continue to nurture and hone their skills for many years. We offer programs with two types of boats - Optimists and 420s.  For both boat classes, our aim is for all to develop a love of sailing. Our sailors have the option to participate in a variety of local sailing events, and further-afield regattas and clinics. Orient Yacht Club sailors have consistently placed highly in area regattas (for both Optis and 420s) and many have pursed sailing competitively at national and international regattas, as well as at the university level.

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ENROLLMENT DATES for SUMMER 2024

March 1, 2024 -Member Registration Opens


March 15, 2024 - Non-Member Registration Opens

Please note: non-members are welcome to enrol in our junior sailing program. In order to participate, all non-member sailors are required to obtain a Junior Use Permit to participate in the Junior Sailing program. This permit is $200 per sailor and provides the sailor with access to and use of all club facilities and the ability to participate in Junior Yacht Club activities. Billing for Junior Use permits is included in the registration process.


May 31, 2024 - Registration Closes

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SCHEDULE for SUMMER 2024

Classes will be held Monday through Friday from June 24 - August 16Each class is 3 hours per day.


We offer three session options:

Full Summer (8 weeks) – June 24 – August 16Session 1 only (4 weeks) – June 24 – July 19Session 2 only (4 weeks) – July 22 – August 16


Other important program dates:

June 23, 2024 – Kick-off BBQ, Program Orientation, and Boat Safety CheckAugust 17, 2024 – Award Ceremony & Dinner

Opti Classes 


Prerequisites:
Minimum age of 8 before December 31, 2024. There are no exceptions to this rule. 
A swim test and boat safety check will be administered on or before the first day of class. 

A Note on Class Placements: for returning sailors, class registrations and placements will be reviewed (and are subject to change) by the instructor team.  For new sailors, please review the prerequisites for each class and select the one that you believe reflects your child’s experience, interests, and abilities. 

Club boat vs. Privately owned boat:

There are no club-owned Optimists. Each child enrolled in an Opti class must provide his/her own boat (which may be shared with sailors whose classes are at another time of day). Feel free to contact orientjrsailing@gmail.com if you'd like help in locating a family who may be interested in loaning/sharing a boat. 
Opti storage fee: $125 per boat.  If you are using another sailor’s boat, you do not have to pay for boat storage – this is the responsibility of the boat owner only (this may be of course be shared, as agreed upon by private parties). If you are not sure if you will be buying a boat or sharing with another person, DO NOT sign up for a space. You will have the ability to sign up for a space throughout the spring after you have finalized your boat plans.

4-week session fee: $1760 (member cost $1470)
Full summer session fee: $2740 (member cost $2280)

Boat storage fee: $125/boat


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OPTI I


Prerequisites: Sailor must be 8 years old in the calendar year (2024). Boat ownership/rental is required. Prior sailing experience is not required.


Description: This introductory Opti class covers the basics of sailing and develops confidence on the water. Sailors will learn basic sailing knots, the parts of the boat, and how to properly rig, maintain, and store their equipment.


Schedule: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Full Summer or 4-week session

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OPTI II


Prerequisites: This class is for sailors who have completed Opti I and are able to sail in an Opti by themselves. Boat ownership/rental is required. Placement in this class is subject to Sailing Director approval.


Description: Sailors will learn proper weight placement, and practice tacks, jibes, and safety position. They will also learn the basics of sailing around a racecourse and how to tie various knots. An emphasis will also be placed on safety, proper rigging and de-rigging techniques, and how to care for equipment.


ScheduleMonday - Friday 9am-12pm; Full Summer or 4-week session

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OPTI III


Prerequisites: This class is for sailors who have completed Opti I (previously beginner) and Opti II (previously advanced beginner) and are interested in racing. Boat ownership/ rental is required. Placement in this class is subject to Sailing Director approval.


Description: This class will focus on advanced boat handling skills, tactics, and racing strategy. The sailors in this class are encouraged to compete in the club’s Tuesday night racing series and, with instructor approval, may be allowed to compete in local PGJSA regattas throughout the summer. This class is the training ground for the Opti Race Team.


Schedule: Monday – Friday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

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SAILING ADVENTURES

Prerequisites: This class is for sailors who have completed at least Opti I and Opti II and are not interested in racing. Boat ownership/ rental is required.


Description: This class will focus on developing boat handling and overall sailing skills in the context of freestyle sailing, adventure sailing and “un-regatta” style racing while having fun on the water. This is an inspired alternative to the conventional racetrack route that will build a foundation for lifelong sailing.


ScheduleTime: Monday - Friday 1:30pm - 4pm; Full Summer or 4-week session

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OPTI RACING TEAM

Prerequisites: Opti III and/or Previous Opti Racing team experience. Interest in racing & regatta participation. Placement in this class is subject to Sailing Director approval.


Description: This class is limited to qualified and selected individuals who have been in Opti Racers before or who have completed Opti III and have a desire to participate in single-handed fleet racing regattas. Sailors will continue to develop their racing skills in classes and compete in 4- 6 local and regional regattas throughout the summer.


ScheduleMonday - Friday 1pm-4pm; Full Summer or 4-week session

420 Classes 


Prerequisites:
Sailors must be 14 years old or at least 120 pounds - both are preferable, but one may be sufficient. If in doubt, please contact Pablo, our sailing director, through orientjrsailing@gmail.com
A swim test and boat safety check will be administered on or before the first day of class.

A Note on Class Placements: for returning sailors, class registrations and placements will be reviewed (and are subject to change) by the instructor team.  For new sailors, please review the prerequisites for each class and select the one that you believe reflects your child’s experience, interests, and abilities. 

Club boat vs. Privately owned boat:
OYC has six (6) club-owned 420s available for collective use. There is a $500  fee for boat rental  for the 8-week season ($300 for 4 week use).  Due to limited availability of club-owned 420s, these may not be available to travel to regattas. If you would like to participate in 100% of the travel team events, having access to a private boat is preferable.  Particularly for our sailors on the 420 Race Team, we encourage you to invest in a privately owned 420. Our sailing and program directors are happy to help in your search for purchasing a used boat. For privately-owned boats, there is a boat storage fee of $150 per 420 for the summer. 

4-week session fee: $2130 (member cost $1780)
Full summer session fee: $3315 (member cost $2760)

Boat storage fee: $150/boat
Club boat rental fee: $500/Full Summer or $300/4 weeks per sailor

 

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420 FOUNDATIONS

Prerequisites: For sailors at least 14 years old or at least 120 pounds - both are preferable, but one may be sufficient - who want to learn sailing in a two-handed boat. Placement in this class is subject to Sailing Director approval.


Description: This class introduces sailors to the club 420 boat, the skipper/crew dynamic, and the new boat-handling skills associated with spinnakers and trapezes. This class is taught in club-owned 420s, so boat ownership is not required. Club-owned boats may not necessarily be available for participating in away-regattas. 


ScheduleTime: Monday - Friday 9am - 12pm; Full Summer or 4-week session

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420 RACING TEAM


Prerequisites: 420 Foundations. Interest in racing. Placement in this class is subject to Sailing Director approval. Boat ownership is strongly encouraged, but not required.


Description: This class is limited to qualified and selected sailors who have completed 420 Foundations and have a desire to participate in regattas. Sailors will continue to develop their racing skills in classes and compete in local and regional regattas throughout the summer.


ScheduleMonday - Friday 1:30pm - 4:30pm; Full Summer or 4-week session


Important note about the use of club-owned 420s for local regattas: When registering for this class, you are electing to rent the club-owned 420s for use during regularly scheduled class time. Please be advised that the club-owned 420s may not be available for local regatta use. Availability of club-owned 420s for local regattas will depend on enrolment in the morning 420 classes. We cannot lend out club boats if they are being used for a morning class. Thus, if a sailor wants to ensure that he/she will have access to a 420 to participate in all local regattas, boat ownership is strongly recommended.

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Regatta Participation Guidelines

There are two local organizations that coordinate a series of qualifier regattas, culminating with a championship regatta at the end of the year.


The Peconic Gardeners Junior Sailing Association (PGJSA) is a local organization consisting of 8 yacht clubs on the North and South forks. Sailors who participate in a minimum of three one-day PGJSA qualifier regattas in July and early August earn a spot in the Championship regatta at the end of the summer. PGJSA regattas are great entry-level local regattas for sailors who are just starting to race competitively.


The Junior Sailing Association (JSA) is a larger organization that hosts regional events with yacht clubs all across the long island sound. Sailors who qualify during one-day JSA qualifier regattas in July and early August earn a spot to compete in the JSA Championship regatta at the end of the summer. JSA regattas are larger and more competitive, making them better suited for more experienced racers.


All sailors who wish to participate in these events will need an adult to drive them to/from the event and assist with transporting all sailing equipment. Dollies are also required and will not be provided by the club. Mandatory racing orientation for students and parents interested in participating in regattas will occur during the kick-off weekend.


PGJSA and JSA membership fees will be collected from all families with sailors who wish to participate in these regattas.


Daily regatta coaching fees, regatta registration fees, and personal travel costs, are separate from tuition. Coaching and regatta entry fees will be billed based on participation.



If you have any questions please email us at Orientjrsailing@gmail.com.

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