SYC Junior Sailing Program Descriptions

RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS:

Flying Scot Recreational Sailing

Geared for recreational sailors that wish to sail with friends and hav e fun while learning about all aspects of rigging, points of sail, steering, rules of the road, docking, sail trim, knots, wind awareness and all basic fundamentals of sailing.

Sun Fish Recreational Sailing

Designed for our older and bigger sailors ages 12-17 who just want to have fun and learn the basic fundamental skills of sailing and seamanship.

Optimist Harbor Mice Beginner & Recreational

Tailored for o ur new, future sailors to learn the basics on how sailboats work in the Optimist dingy.

Will include fun sailing-related activities with lots of helping hands. The sailors will be comfortable and handled with care.

RACING PROGRAMS: Developmental Opti Racing – Green Fleet

Focuses on development of boat handling skills, basic racing tactics, basic racing techniques, fine tuning sail controls, and the physics of racing sailboats. Geared towards developing the necessary skills and confidence to eventually travel to major events. Will teach Fundamental Boat Handling, Boat Speed Techniques, Sail Trim, Rules, Sportsmanship, Basic Starting/Course, tactics and strategy with fun activities mixed in so kids will learn to enjoy the sport of sailing. W ill focus on sailing local events and regional events. Developmental sailors are encouraged to attend major events but not required.

Advanced Opti Racing – White, Blue, Red Fleets

Focuses on mastery of boat handling skills, advanced racing tactics, advanced racing techniques, team racing, fine tuning sail controls, and the physics of racing sailboats. Will teach sail controls, body weight and aerodynamic/hydrodynamic theory to sailors to learn how to make their boats go faster. Will evaluate and learn about sailor’s own performance and integrate on the water coaching, video analysis and advanced equipment preparation into the regatta experience. Will prepare for qualification for USODA Team Trials and International Teams. Certain clinics will have a special emphasis on Team Racing to prepare for the Optimist team race events held nationally each year . Team Racing is a 4 on 4 competition of various clubs pinned against one another using special tactics and strategy to achieve winning combinations of scores. All members on the team contribute to win a match. It’s very exciting and fun for the kids.

Intermediate and Advanced Laser/420 Training

Focuses on fundamentals of boat handling skills, racing tactics, performance boat racing techniques, fine-tuning sail controls and rig and the use of the spinnaker in racing sailboats. Geared towards preparing for US Sailing events such as Sears/ Bemis/ Smythe Championships, ISAF events and High School Sailing. Will range from Intermediate to Advanced and will focus on sailing GYA events and beyond. All Laser sailors must have their own boat.

About the Southern Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program:

The Southern Yacht Club Jr. Sailing Program provides high-level sailing instruction and coaching for motivated kids who want to get to the next level. We also provide an environment conducive to learning, safety, making friends and providing the passion for sailing that lasts a lifetime. Our program is geared for young sailors who want to compete at the regional, national and international levels of sailing or just learn to race and learn to sail. In the summer months, SYC provides one of the most sought after Summer Sailing Programs for kids and provides the finest instructors and coaches from around the globe to provide a world class sailing experience.

Our clinics are offered almost year-round. During this time, we work hard on team building and focus on honing individual skills such as starting, tactics, strategy, boat speed and sportsmanship. We educate the kids and parents on regatta preparation and go out of our way to help new families get started in the sport of sailing. Sailing is a lifetime sport and being a part of the sailing community is one of the best benefits of being a member at Southern Yacht Club. If your young sailor aspires to join our year-round program, he or she will have an opportunity to have world class coaching, travel around the country/world competing and be involved with a great environment that nurtures good values and sportsmanship. Southern Yacht Club offers a clear pathway program that is available through all the stages of development. Once out of the Opti or learn to sail programs, they can move to the Laser, a single-handed performance boat or the Club 420, a double- handed boat. There are many levels your sailor can aspire to beyond the SYC Junior Program such as college sailing or Olympic sailing. As one of the top yacht clubs in the country, our job is to prepare them for a lifetime of fun, memories, good friends and competition. Whether your young sailor wants to cruise or race, there is something for everyone.

Our Mission: The mission of the Southern Yacht Club Jr. Sailing Program to develop knowledgeable youth dingy racers and to instill a passion for the sport of sailing. We are dedicated to providing a safe, fun environment where young sailors can develop and refine their racing skills, learn good sportsmanship, build lifetime friendships and compete at the highest level of sailing. Southern Yacht Club recognizes that all of their sailors, whether they have a good day on the water or a bad day, are all winners.

To learn more, please contact our sailing director at [email protected] or visit the Juniors section of our website, www.southernyachtclub.org.

SAILING CODE OF ETHICS This code of Conduct represents the most important ideals and guidelines to follow in order to have the most fun during your sailing experience. Simply, it is an agreement by all sailors to:

Be cooperative, supportive, and respectful of other people, their property and club Property.

• Participate 100% in daily activities. • Study and sail within the "Right of Way" rules. • Be considerate in success & failure, victory & defeat. • Remember that your actions, on and off the water, reflect on you and your club.