This introduction to sailing class is for children aged 7-10 with little to no sailing experience.  Class takes place on Sonar sailboats, with two experienced instructors taking up to eight novice sailors out onto the water each day.  By working together as a team, sailors in this class will learn the fundamentals of on-the-water safety, seamanship and terminology. This includes basic sailing skills, rigging and stowing of all necessary equipment, hoisting and dowsing sails, sail trim and steerage.  At the end of two weeks each eligible student can be evaluated for placement in Opti 1 if interested.  Advancement to Optis is determined solely by the head instructor.  Material may be repeated in successive sessions as students build up their confidence in sailboats.

Adventure Boating is designed to develop a love of boating and respect for the sea. Sailing, kayaking, motorboating, fishing, lobstering, and classes on maritime and environmental subjects will all be incorporated each week. The class will typically run Monday - Friday from 1-4pm. Weather and condition permitting, there will be an 'adventure day' each week that will allow students to travel greater distances and engage deeper. You must be at least 10 years old for this class - and class size is capped at 12 students per week.

Opti 1 is the class for the beginner level Opti Sailors who are at least 8 years old.  Students will learn the basic parts of the International Optimist Dinghy Class and basic boat handling skills. Sailors begin sailing in pairs and progress towards sailing alone as their comfort level increases.  Sailors must demonstrate the objective skills, as well a comfort and proficiency sailing alone before they advance to Opti 2. 

Opti 2 is for the intermediate level sailor and participants should have completed Opti 1.  Opti 2 sailors are learning to single-hand their boats.  Sailors will learn proper weight placement, practice tacks, jibes and learn to basics of sailing around a racecourse.  Students remain in Opti 2 until they are ready to move into the world of competitive racing or are large enough to sail 420s.

Opti Racing is the class for a sailor aspiring to race competitively.  Some of the topics covered include advanced boat handling techniques, racing tactics and strategies, and the Rules of Racing.  Students in this class are on the Opti Race team, and are therefore expected to travel regularly to regattas with the team and participate for all 8 weeks of the sailing season.  While exceptions to this expectation can be made at the discretion of the Program Director, there will be no Opti Racing class while the team is away racing at regattas.

Weeks 1, 4, 7, 8 are clinic weeks where class will meet 9:30am-5:00pm

Weeks 2, 3, 5, 6 are Opti Racing Monday through Friday 1:00-4:00pm

420 1 is for the beginner, and it covers basic double handed boat handling and the rules of sailing and boating. Sailors will learn to rig and derig a 420, learn to steer and trim on all points of sail and learn to trapeze.  Students who are new to sailing and too large for Optis (>100lb.) should begin with this class.

420 2 is for the intermediate sailor.  The class covers more advanced boat handling techniques with emphasis on use of the trapeze and spinnaker. The class will also focus on defining sail trim and basic racing tactics, with weekly races in class taking place to prepare sailors to move onto 420 racing. description

420 Racing is designed for the sailor who wants to learn advanced team and fleet racing tactics and strategies. Sailors are selected for the racing team by the instructors and program director. Sailors will compete at regattas and team races in the area throughout the summer.  Students in this class are on the 420 Race team, and are therefore expected to travel regularly to regattas with the team and participate for all 8 weeks of the sailing season.  While exceptions to this expectation can be made at the discretion of the Program Director, there will be no 420 Racing class while the team is away racing at regattas.