Growing up on the water or near the water has so many advantages, but sailing is at the top of the list. There are countless programs for the younger sailor or potential sailor. If your child is competitive, the junior dinghy racing programs are ideal. Most yacht clubs feature Optimist racing as an excellent starting point for children from 8 or 9 years old. In addition to the tried-andtrue Optis, Blue Jays, 420s, Lasers and Sunfish, a growing number of programs are offering the 9-foot O’pen Bic planing singlehander, the 13’9” Pixel doublehander, and windsurfing, primarily using the Bic Techno 293 One Design.There are also programs that focus on destination sailing and provide a low-key (non-competitive) environment. The key to having your child gain a great learning experience begins with knowing their goals and what your level of parental involvement will be. A one-week sailing camp is an ideal starting point to gauge a child’s interest. The junior programs at most yacht clubs require a 6-week commitment and either renting the boat or purchasing a dinghy for your child. Whichever sailing program you choose, the goal should be a safe, fun learning environment with a focus on the basics: tacking, jibing, trimming the sails and above all, sportsmanship.
Wendy van Breems is the Marketing Director of Sound Sailing Center in Norwalk, CT. For more information about their US SAILING certified instruction (from Intro to Sailing to Ocean Sailing), visit soundsailingcenter.com
NEW YORK
American Yacht Club
Milton Point, Rye, NY 190580
914-967-4800
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
americanyc.com
Optimist, Laser, C420, Bic Techno 293
One Design
Centerport Yacht Club
Beach Plum Drive, PO Box 624, Centerport,
NY 11721
631-261-5440 centerport-yc.org
Optimist, Blue Jay, Bic Techno 293
Ages 7-17; ‘Mighty Mites’ (age 7) is open
to club members’ kids only
Hudson River Community Sailing
Pier 66 Boathouse, 26th St. & Hudson
River
PO Box 1800, New York, NY 10156
917-734-1660
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
hudsonsailing.org
J/24; Summer Leadership Program & Accredited
After School Program Sailing: the
math and physics behind the sail for students
in NYC schools
Huguenot Yacht Club
Harbor Lane West, New Rochelle, NY
10805
914-636-6300
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
huguenotyc.com
Optimist, Laser; charter boats available on
a first come, first served basis
Larchmont Yacht Club
1 Woodbine Avenue, Larchmont, NY
10538
914-834-2440 larchmontyc.org
Optimist, Blue Jay, Pixel, Laser, C420
Manhasset Bay Sailing Foundation
433 Main Street, Port Washington, NY
11050
Ideal 18, various donated keelboats
Kayaking, Sailing & Boating Safety classes
Manhattan Sailing School
North Cove Marina, 385 South End Ave
#7G,New York, NY 10280
212-786-0400 sailmanhattan.com
Optimist, Laser, J/24; Three summer sailing
camps: Operation Optimist (ages 8 -
13), Basic & Advanced Dinghy Sailing (13
- 18), Basic & Advanced J/24 Sailing
New York Maritime Community Waterfront
Center
SUNY Maritime College
6 Pennyfield Avenue, Throggs Neck, NY
10465
Rob Crafa 718-409-7460
sunymaritime.edu/waterfront
420, Flying Junior, J/24; sailing, kayaking
& powerboat courses and camp available;
ages 8-17
Nyack Boat Club
59 Gedney Street, Nyack, NY 10960
Nadine Keegan 845-365-9151
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
nyackboatclub.org
Optimist, Pico, C420 and (bring your
own) Laser; Two 4-week sessions; ages 8-15
Old Cove Yacht Club
P.O. Box 673, New Suffolk, NY 11956-
0673
oldcoveyc.com
Optimist, C420, Laser, Sunfish, J/24; Two
4-week sessions; Guppies (ages 6 & 7), Beginner,
Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced,
Advanced & Bay Adventurers (ages
8 & up)
Port Sailing School
86 Orchard Beach Blvd, Port Washington,
NY 11050
516-767-SAIL (7245)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
portsailing.com/sailingcamp.htm
Sonar; 2-week Teens & Tweens; 1-week
Sailing & Science; Teen Caribbean Sailing
in the BVIs
Port Washington Yacht Club
One Yacht Club Drive, Port Washington,
NY 11050
Christine Sautkulis 516-767-1614 x 28
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
pwyc.com
Optimist, Blue Jay, Laser, C420, Bic
Techno 293
8-week program; Full-Day Racing & Half-
Day Recreational; ages 8-18
Quinipet Community Sailing
PO Box 549, End of Shore Road, Shelter
Island Heights, NY 11965
631-749-0430
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
quinipet.org
US Sabot, Flying Junior, Boston Whaler
Harpoon; 2-week sessions (grades 3-5, 5-7,
7-10) and (new for 2009) 4-week sessions
(grades 5 & up)
Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club
314 Yacht Club Road, Oyster Bay, NY
11771
516-922-6200 seawanhaka.org
Optimist, Blue Jay, Pixel, Laser, C420, Bic
Techno 293, Big Boat (cruising & racing);
Ages 8-18; Safe Power Boat Instruction
(ages 10 - 18)
Setauket Yacht Club
P.O. Box 138, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Donald Slingerland 631-766-0668
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Optimist (ages 8 - 11), Pixel (ages 12 - 17);
2-week sessions
Shelter Island Yacht Club
PO Box 546, 12 Chequit Avenue, Shelter
Island Heights, NY 11965
Nikki Kappus
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
631-749-4180
SIYCjunior.com
Optimist, Laser, C420; 4- & 8-week
programs
Southold Yacht Club
165 North Parish Drive, Southold, NY
11971
631-765-529 southoldyachtclub.com
Optimist, Sunfish, C420; Beginner -
Advanced Racing (ages 7 & up)
The Stony Brook School
1 Chapman Parkway, Stony Brook, NY
11790
631-751-1800 x1
George Linzee 631-786-3293
stonybrookschool.org
Various 14- to 30-foot boats; The Sound
Learning Program for students entering
grades 6-10 combines a morning writing
course, afternoon elective (Marine Biology,
Robotics, Theater Arts or Visual Arts) and
an evening sailing program (cruising & racing)
with a focus on team building.
The WaterFront Center
One West End Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY
11771
516-922-SAIL (7245)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
thewaterfrontcenter.org
Optimist, Sunfish, Pixel, Rhodes 19,
Sonar; Several sailing and marine science
programs are offered, including a weeklong
Teen Tall Ship Program aboard the STV
Unicorn.
CONNECTICUT
12 Metre Yacht Development Foundation
(based in Greenwich, CT)
Patrick Sikorski: 203-656-1182
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
12mYDF.com
Sail camps, clinics and match racing for
Junior Sailing Association of Long Island
Sound yacht clubs; sailors learn all aspects
of racing a 12 Metre yacht from expert instructors,
many of whom are America’s
Cup veterans.
Cedar Point Yacht Club
Bluff Point, Westport, CT 06880
203-226-7411 cpycjrsailing@
optonline.net cedarpointyc.org
Optimist, Pixel, Laser, C420; 4- & 8-week
programs; ages 8-17
Community Sailing of Fairfield
PO Box 553, Southport, CT 06890
Lou Schueler 203-254-0676
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ideal 18
Connecticut Community Boating
1494 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
203-382-3661 ctcommunityboating.org
Optimist, Hunter 140, Rainbow 24 &
kayaks; Five 2-week sessions; CCB’s 16-
week Maritime Explorers after-school program
(ages 10 -16) includes sailing,
boating, building a wooden boat, creating a
saltwater aquarium and more; new adaptive
sailing program for kids with autism
and other developmental disabilities
Darien Junior Sailing Team
PO Box 45, Darien, CT 06820
Lynn Sullivan 203-656-1096
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
sail.darien.org
Optimist, C420; open to Darien residents
ages 8 through high school
Fairfield Sailing School
Classes at Jennings Beach, Fairfield, CT
203-256-3144 fairfieldrecreation.com
Laser, Daysailer; Beginner, Intermediate,
Advanced, Introduction to Racing and CT
Safe Boating Certification (including Safe
Powerboat certification)
Greenwich Community Sailing
Greenwich Point Park, PO Box 195, Old
Greenwich, CT 06870
203-698-0599
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
greenwichsailing.com
Pico, Laser, Hunter 140 Hobie Wave &
Getaway; open to Greenwich residents
Housatonic Boat Club
Shore Road, Stratford, CT 06615
203-377-9195 housatonicboatclub.org
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Blue Jay, Cape Cod Mercury
Indian Harbor Yacht Club
710 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT
06830
Philip McDonough
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
203-869-2484
indianharboryc.com
Optimist, Pixel, Laser, C420, Big Boat;
ages 8-18
Longshore Sailing School
Longshore Club Park, 260 South Compo
Road, Westport, CT 06880
203-226-4646
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
longshoresailingschool.com
Escape, Pico, Laser, Hobie Wave & Getaway,
Hunter 140; Several courses from
Start Boating Right to Advanced Catamaran
Sailing, Racing Techniques, Kayak Adventures
and Safe Boating Certification;
ages 9-16 - discount for Westport residents
Milford Yacht Club
131 Trumbull Avenue, Milford, CT
06460
Mark Laser
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
203-923-6801
milfordyachtclub.com
Optimist, Blue Jay, C420; Program for
ages 8-18, as well as a 4-week Lil’ Skippers
program (ages 6-7)
Mystic Seaport Community Sailing
PO Box 6000, 75 Greenmanville Avenue,
Mystic, CT 06355-0990
860-572-5322 mysticseaport.org
Dyer Dhows; several programs including
overnight sailing camp on the Joseph Conrad
(coed; ages 10-15), teen sailing aboard
the 62-foot schooner Brilliant (coed; ages
15-19) & Safe Powerboat Handling
Noroton Yacht Club
PO Box 925, 23 Baywater Drive, Darien,
CT 06820
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
norotonyc.com
Optimist, Laser
North Cove Yacht Club
P.O. Box 298, Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook,
CT 06475
northcoveyc.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
C420, JY9, Optimist, Dyer Dhow
Three 2-week sessions; ages 9-15
Norwalk Sailing School
50 Calf Pasture Beach, East Norwalk, CT
06855
203-852-1857
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
norwalksailingschool.org
Sailing & windsurfing for ages 8-16
Norwalk Yacht Club
Nathan Hale Road, Wilson Point, South
Norwalk, CT 06854
Matt Marion 203-852-6702
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
norwalkyc.com
Optimist, Blue Jay, Pixel, Laser, C420 &
Big Boat; 4- & 8-week programs
(ages 8-17)
Pequot Yacht Club
669 Harbor Road, Southport, CT 06890
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
203-255-5740 x 21
pequotyc.com
Optimist, Laser, Pixel, C420; ages 9-18;
Big Boats (ages 14 & up)
Pettipaug Sailing Academy
PO Box 372 Essex, CT 06426
Paul Risseeuw
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
860-767-1995
Optimist, Blue Jay, C420
7-week program for ages 8-17; also Powerboat
Operation & Handling
Pilots Point Sailing School
63 Pilots Point Drive, Westbrook, CT
06498
Hilary Loftus
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
860-399-7906 x126
byy.com/westbrook/sail.html
JY 15, C420; ages 8-18
1- & 2-week instruction & racing sessions;
discounts for combined sessions/siblings
Ram Island Yacht Club
60 Front Street, Noank, CT 06340
860-536-9014 ramislandyachtclub.org
Optimist, Blue Jay, C420
Riverside Yacht Club
102 Club Road, Riverside, CT 06878
203-637-1706
riversideyachtclub.org
Optimist, Blue Jay, Pixel & Big Boat;
ages 8-18
Sailaway Sailing School
1771 Post Road East #230, Westport, CT
06880
203-209-3407
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
sailawaycamp.com
Hunter 140, JY 15; 2-week sessions; ages
9-18; classes at Captain’s Cove Seaport,
Bridgeport
Schooner, Inc.
60 South Water Street, New Haven, CT
06519
203-865-1737 schoonerinc.org
Optimist; 1-week Learn to Sail (grades 6-
12), 2-week Opti Sailors/Scientists (grades
4-5); various other programs aboard the
schooner Quinnipiack
Sound Sailing Center
54A Beach Road, Norwalk, CT 06855
203-838-1110
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
soundsailingcenter.com
Pearson Ensign; Dory program (ages 6-12)
& Adolescent program (ages 13-15) include
Rules of the Road, navigation, safe
outboard motor operation, basic racing
skills, man overboard drills, basic racing
skills, rowing, estuarine biology and more
Stamford Sailing Foundation
151 Harvard Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902
Margaret Sirot 203-348-9000
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
stamfordsailingfoundation.org
Optimist, Pixel, Laser, kayaks; Stamford
Sailing Foundations’s Blue Water Bound is
an experiential, hands-on educational program
for children from economically deprived
households in the Stamford area
that combines sailing with classroom studies
to enhance social and learning skills.
Stamford Yacht Club
97 Ocean Drive West, Stamford, CT
06902
(203) 323- 3161
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
stamfordyc.com
Optimist, Laser, C420, Ideal 18, Big Boat
and Little Puffs (ages 5-7)
Stonington Harbor Yacht Club Sailing
Foundation
9 Stonington Commons, Stonington, CT
06378
860-535-0112
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
shyc.us
Optimist, C420, JY 15, J/24, Techno 293;
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Learn
to Race & Racing; ages 7-18
Yale Corinthian Yacht Club
179 Clark Avenue, Branford, CT 06520
John Kempton 732-674-0893
yale.edu/ycyc/summer/junior.html
C420, windsurfers; Two 4-week programs:
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced & Racing
Team; ages 9-18
RHODE ISLAND
Community Boating Center
PO Box 5849, India Point Park, Providence,
RI 02903
401-454-SAIL (7245)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
communityboating.com
Optimist, Sunfish, Laser, Flying Junior,
Hunter 140, Day Sailer; After-School Sailing,
Summer Sailing Camp, High School
Racing and more
Conanicut Yacht Club
PO Box 257, 40 Bay View Drive,
Jamestown, RI 02835
401-423-1424 conanicutyachtclub.org
Optimist, Laser, C420
East Bay Sailing Foundation
P.O. Box 1169Bristol, RI 02809
(at Bristol Yacht Club)
401-253-0775
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
eastbaysailingfoundation.org
Optimist, Cape Cod Mercury, C420;
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Race
Classes, Monday evening racing; ages 6
and up
Newport Yacht Club
10 Long Wharf, Newport, RI 02840
F.J. Ritt
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
401-846-9410
newportyachtclub.org
Optimist, N10 (Turnabout), C420; Beginner
Opti through Racing 420 (ages 8-18)
Portsmouth Youth Sailing
PO Box 665, Portsmouth, RI 02871
401-243-8590
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
portsmouthsailing.org
Optimist, Bic Techno 293; Beginner, Intermediate,
Combined & Intro to Racing
courses, and “Bring your own Laser” for
age 13 & up
Sail Newport
60 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840
401-846-1983
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
sailnewport.org
Optimist, LaserPerformance Bug, C420,
Hunter 140, J/22, windsurfers; 1-week Little
Guppies (ages 5-7), 2-week Dinghy
Program (ages 7 & up), 1-week Keelboat
sessions, several Racing Programs & Saturday
Fun Sails
Wickford Sailing Association
PO Box 352, Pleasant Street, Wickford, RI
02852 (at Wickford Yacht Club)
Kathy Brown
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
401- 294-2525 wickfordyc.org
Optimist, C420 & (personally owned)
Laser; Two 4-week sessions
MASSACHUSETTS
Bourne Community Boating, Inc.
PO Box 3157 Bourne, MA 02532
Dave Foynes
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
508-273-6152
bournecommunityboating.org
Vanguard Pram, Capri 14.2, Hobie Getaway,
Bic Techno 293; Beginner, Intermediate,
Adventures in Sailing; scholarships
available
The Buzzards Sailing School
PO Box 906, 99 South Road, Pocasset,
MA 02559
buzzardssailing.org
Optimist, Widgeon, C420; several 8-week
courses for ages 8-18; scholarships available
Community Boating Center, Inc.
1641 Padanaram Avenue,New Bedford,
MA 02740
508-992-6219
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
communityboating.org
Optimist, Pico, Capri 14.2, C420, Sonar;
six youth programs including Youth Cruising
(ages 7-8), Teen Cruising (13-18) &
CBC Race Team; three Powerboat courses
(MA Safe Boating Certification, Safe
Powerboat Handling, Safety & Rescue)
are available, as are several education-oriented
spring & fall programs
Courageous Sailing
One First Avenue, Boston, MA 02129
617-COURAGE [268-7243]
courageoussailing.org
C420, Rhodes 19, J/22, Ranger 23, Tartan
27, Tartan 30; The 5-Step Youth Program
takes students from basic “learn-to-sail”
classes, to more advanced cruising and racing
classes, right through to instructor
training; also available are a variety of
school year programs, enabled sailing (free)
and Step Green! environmental education.
Falmouth Harbor Sailing School
290 Clinton Avenue,Falmouth, MA 02540 (at Falmouth Yacht
Club)
Carol Hill 508-548-3865
Optimist, O’Day Javelin, C420; Beginners to Racing Sailors, ages
8-17; must be a Falmouth resident or child of a Falmouth YC
member
Island Sailing Schools of Martha’s Vineyard, Inc.
PO Box 3126, Edgartown, MA 02539
508-627-5720
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
islandsailing.com
Cape Dory Typhoon; Basic and Intermediate classes for children;
private lessons also available
Nantucket Community Sailing
PO Box 2424, 4 Winter Street, Nantucket, MA 02584
508-228-6600
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
nantucketcommunitysailing.org
Optimist, Hunter 140, Laser, C420, Bic Techno 293; several
youth programs, Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Racing & Adaptive
Watersports (windsurfing, kayaking, rowing) for disabled athletes
New Bedford Yacht Club
208 Elm Street, PO Box P-4, South Dartmouth, MA 02748
508-997-0762
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
nbyc.com
Optimist, Laser, C420; Seamanship courses in Cape Cod Mercury
& Advanced Seamanship in Rhodes 19
Pleon Yacht Club
PO Box 160 Marblehead, MA 01945
781-631-1076
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
pleon.org
Optimist, Laser, C420; Founded in 1887, Pleon is the oldest junior
sailing program in the country and the only yacht club run by
and for sailors under age 21.
Quissett Yacht Club
71 Quissett Harbor Road, Falmouth, MA 02540
Maureen Lynch
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
quissettyachtclub.org
Optimist, C420; Five classes from Seaman (beginner) to Opti &
420 Racing Team
Sail Martha’s Vineyard
PO Box 1998, 110 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
508-696-7644
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
sailmv.com
Optimist, 420, Bic Techno 293; also adventure sailing on the
wooden ketch-rigged Nomansland boat S/V Mabel
Wequaquet Lake Yacht Club
150 Annable Point Road, Centerville, MA 02632
508-360-0576
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
wlyc.com
Optimist, C420; several classes available from Mates/Seamen
(ages 9-12) to Opti & 420 Race Team
West Dennis Yacht Club
PO Box 422, 259 Loring Avenue,West Dennis, MA 02670-0422
508-760-9933
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
wdyc.org
Optimist, C420; Sea Squirts (ages 5-7), Beginner, Intermediate &
Advanced Opti & 420, Race Teams
Wianno Yacht Club
101 Bridge Street, Osterville, MA02655
508-428-2232
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
wiannoyc.com
Optimist, C420; two 4-week programs; charter boats available on
a first-come, first-served basis
