Our beginner & novice sailing programs are taught in Optimist 8' Pram Dinghy (Optimists) & O'Pen Skiffs. The Optimist has become the world standard as both the introductory junior trainer and a premier one design racing class. It is the only sailboat designed specifically for children allowing them to learn the essentials of sailing without danger or fear. The O'Pen Skiff sensation classes are for sailors who have started sailing and are comfortable in a boat and want to develop their skills further. The Open Skiff is a faster boat than the Optimist, but it is very wet, too!
Depending on space available as well as an application process, we also have an eight (8) year olds’ program. Please email teampequot@gmail.com if you have an aspiring 8-year-old sailor.
OPTIONS:
1. Optimist 1 (Beginner)
New to sport/less than 4 weeks total in Opti/Dinghy sailing program (Ages - 8-15, Weight - max. 120lbs)
2. Optimist 2 & 3 (Novice / Intermediate)
Completed at least 8 weeks in Opti/Dinghy sailing program (Ages - 8-15, Weight - max. 120lbs)
3. O'Pen Skiff (Novice / Intermediate)
Completed at least 8 weeks in Opti/Dinghy sailing program (Ages - 8-16, Weight - max. 130lbs)
**As sailing skills improve, a morning Optimist/O'Pen Skiff sailor has several potential paths to expand and enhance their sailing experience during the afternoon.
OPTIONS:
Optimist - Single-Handed Boat
1. Intermediate - Intro to Racing Program
Completed at least 12 weeks in Opti/Dinghy sailing program, interested in learning to race in regattas (Ages - 11-15, Weight - max. 120lbs)
1. Intermediate - RS Feva Program
Intermediate double-handed boat - Sailor has some sailing experience, new to double handed boats, interested in both recreational sailing and possibly participating in regattas. Best to sign up with a partner. (Ages - 12-16, Weight - Skipper & Crew total - max. 180lbs)
C420 - Double-Handed Boat
Club 420 is a 13' 8" boat with a jib, spinnaker, and trapeze. The Club 420 enables young sailors to learn teamwork, trapeze and spinnaker techniques that simply can't be learned in single-handed boats. The Club 420 is safe and quick enough to keep competitive sailors challenged from high school to college. Sailors graduating from the Optimist and Feva classes will find the Club 420 to be manageable and a lot of fun.
1. Intermediate - Intro to C420 Program
Advanced double handed boat - Sailor has some experience sailing double handed boats, new to C420, interested in improving their sailing skills and possibly participating in regattas. Best to sign up with a partner (Ages - 14-18, Weight - Skipper & Crew total min. 220lbs) **420 requires the crew to bring their own well fitted, quick release harness. PYC has a limited number of harnesses available**
ILCA (formerly Laser)
ILCA (formerly Laser) is the gold standard in single-handed, one-design sailing and an Olympic class. The ILCA was built on the philosophy that the sailor wins the race, not the boat.
1. Intermediate - Intro to ILCA: 4.7/ Radial / Standard
Intermediate single-handed boat - Sailor has some experience sailing, new to Lasers, interested in improving sailing skills and possibly participating in regattas. (Ages/Weight - 4.7 - 12-18/min. 95lbs; Radial - 14-18/min. 110lbs; Standard - 14-18/min. 130lbs)
*These choices are age, weight, skill dependent, and vary per child; the Program Chairs & Coaches can help in choosing which path is best for your sailor.
Advanced Junior Sailors are invited to participate in racing on privately-owned “Big Boats” with members of the Senior Yacht Club. The Junior Sailors must be willing to commit to on-the-water practices one night per week during the program. In addition, they must take Seamanship lessons and the JSA Seamanship test. A skipper, navigator, and two (2) watch captains are designated by the Head Instructor. These sailors must also take the navigation course and the JSA Navigation test.
The Seamanship and Navigation lessons are offered two (2) to three (3) times during the program either in the mornings or afternoons. A member of the Senior Yacht Club volunteers his/her time to teach the Junior Sailors.
All this preparation culminates in the JSA-sponsored Dorade, a one day regatta, hosted by Stamford Yacht Club and an overnight JSA-sponsored regatta hosted by Beach Point Yacht Club.
Sailors (and parents of sailors) in the Big Boat program are reminded, and agree as a condition of being invited to participate in the program, that boat assignments, crew assignments, and selection into the program are all decisions based on the safety of the vessel and its crew. The responsibility for these decisions is with the Head Instructor, the Big Boat Liaison, and the boat’s owner (or authorized representative).
Sailors must be turning 14 years of age or older within the calendar year.
* All ages refer to the participant's age as of December 31.
In other words, if a participant turns 13 on October 11, that participant is considered a 13-year-old for purposes of the program, even though that participant is 12 years old during the program.
The Head Instructor selects a few experienced afternoon junior sailors to volunteer as Junior Mentors. The Junior Mentors assist the instructors during the morning Opti classes teaching the less experienced sailors. They are expected to volunteer three (3) mornings per week. They inspire the younger sailors and learn about the job of a sailing instructor. Junior mentors must be enrolled in the 8-week afternoon sailing program (sailors enrolled in 4-week afternoon sailing program may be added at the description of the Head Instructor).
Sailors must be turning 13 years of age or older within the calendar year.