Junior Sailing at QYC

A one-week class for beginning sailors ages 7-10 that is focused on fun in and around boats and water safety.  Instruction will take place in Bullseyes, H-12’s, rowboats, and Optimist prams.  Students may sign up for more than one week, or can move across to Mate I (provided there is room).   

M - F, 8:15 am - 10:00 am

$230 per 1 week session, QYC member rate is discounted 20%

Mate I, designed for beginning sailors (8yrs old minimum), primarily uses Optimist prams (Optis) and Bullseyes. The class teaches the fundamentals of on-the-water safety, seamanship, and terminology. Sailors learn basic sailing skills including steering through all points of sail, docking, correct body positioning, and knot tying. Sailors begin sailing in pairs and progress towards sailing alone as their comfort level increases. Sailors usually spend 2-4 two week sessions in this class. They must demonstrate mastery of the objective skills as well as comfort and proficiency sailing alone before they advance to Mate II class. The age of Mate I students is typically 8 -10.  Students enroll in this class for 2 week sessions. 

M - F, 8:15 am - 10:00 am

 $400 per 2 week session                          There is a 10% discount for registering for 8 weeks

QYC member rate is discounted 20%

Mate II class is for sailors who have successfully completed the Mate I class, or similar experience elsewhere. The class focuses on overall seamanship while sailing alone. Sailors gain confidence through time on the water. They develop proficiency in steering, sail control, sailing through all points of sail, capsize recovery, rigging, knot tying, navigation rules, and racing. Optimists are the primary boats used in this class, but other boats may be used as well. Sailors usually spend two months in Mate II . They must demonstrate mastery of objective skills before moving on. They must also show maturity, sportsmanship and a basic interest in racing if they want to advance to the Opti Race Team. If they prefer recreational sailing, they may advance to Adventure Sailing I. The age of students is typically 9-11. Sailors enroll in this class for two week sessions. 

10:30 am arrival is possible for students attending the Children’s School of Science.

M - F, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

$500 per 2 week session                          There is a 10% discount for registering for 8 weeks

QYC member rate is discounted 20%

420 Intro is a class for experienced sailors who are interested in learning to sail 420’s. Most sailors will have come from either the QYC Mate class or Opti Race team, or other similar experience elsewhere, and have outgrown the Optimist. The class teaches the fundamentals of sailing as skipper and crew in double-handed boats, including terminology, rigging, boat handling, capsize recovery, on-the-water safety, docking, and trapping in varied weather conditions. Instruction in knot tying, basic weather patterns and navigation will build on knowledge gained in previous classes. The age of students in this class is typically 12-15. Younger and smaller students will need permission from the instructor to participate. Sailors enroll in this class for two-week sessions.

M - F, 8:15 am - 10:00 am

$440 per 2 week session                          There is a 10% discount for registering for 8 weeks

QYC member rate is discounted 20%

Adventure Sailing is intended for beginning sailors who's age or size might make the Optimist pram seem too small. The class teaches the fundamentals of sailing, including on-the water safety, seamanship, rigging, steering, crewing and docking, as well as terminology, knot tying, basic weather awareness and navigation. The focus is on skill-building and fun. Bullseyes are primarily used for instruction, though other boats may be used as well. There is a broad range of student ages in this class, typically 11-16 years old.  Adventure Sailing may also be appropriate for more experienced sailors who have mastered the skills taught in introductory sailing classes and who prefer recreational sailing to racing. This class is designed to be fun and maximize time on the water. Sailors will learn fundamental skills including mooring, anchoring, flying a spinnaker, analyzing and reacting appropriately to weather signs and patterns, navigation and chart reading. The class will include extended sails in Buzzards Bay.  Sailors may enroll in this class for a week at a time.     

M-F, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

$270 per 1 week session                          There is a 10% discount for registering for 4 weeks

QYC member rate is discounted 20%

The Opti Race Team is a select group of sailors who are interested in participating in area Optimist regattas. Students are taught racing tactics, strategies and rules, as well as rigging, sail trim, and boat setup techniques to optimize boat speed and racing success. Team members travel together to area regattas and help host an annual Unkie regatta at Quissett Harbor. 

Sportsmanship and the Corinthian spirit are central to the instruction and the team culture. Regular attendance and participation in races is expected. Parents are expected to help transport racers and equipment. Sailors must demonstrate overall maturity and sportsmanship as well as mastery and effort toward improving in the objective skills before they can advance to 420 Intro and eventually the 420 Jr. Race Team. 

Sailors who outgrow the Optimists (or are older than 15), and are not interested in continuing to race, can progress to Adventure Sailing II. 

A 4 week commitment is required.

M-F, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

4-week sessions:               First Session - weeks 1-4                  Second Session-  weeks 5-8

$1,220 per 4 week session                          There is a 10% discount for registering for 8 weeks

QYC member rate is discounted 20%

420 Jr. Race Team is a beginning race team for experienced sailors who have completed 420 Intro and have mastered basic 420 rigging, skippering and crewing, docking, capsize recovery, and trapping techniques. The Jr. Race Team focuses on rigging and sail trim, skipper and crew teamwork, trapeze and spinnaker skills, as well as basic racing rules and tactics. Sailors will gain experience racing as both crew and skipper. The class is designed to teach and practice the importance of preparation for training and regattas, teamwork and seamanship. Team members will represent QYC at several local regattas a season.

Sportsmanship and Corinthian spirit are central to the instruction and team culture. Parents are expected to help transport racers and equipment. Sailors must demonstrate overall maturity and sportsmanship as well as mastery and effort toward improving in the objective skills before they can advance to the 420 Race Team. 

Sailors not interested in joining the Race Team can remain on the Jr. Race Team or move to Adventure II. 

A 4 week commitment is required.

M-F, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

4-week sessions:               First Session - weeks 1-4                   Second Session-  weeks 5-8

$1,025 per 4 week session                          There is a 10% discount for registering for 8 weeks

QYC member rate is discounted 20%

The 420 Race Team is a select group of sailors who are dedicated to racing 420s.  To join the 420 Race Team, sailors must have participated in the 420 Jr. Race Team class and have demonstrated competency and commitment. The class is designed to teach and practice the importance of preparation for training and regattas, including rigging, sail trim and boat setup techniques to optimize boat speed, teamwork and seamanship. Team members will represent QYC in team and fleet races at area yacht clubs. 

Sportsmanship and Corinthian spirit are central to the instruction and team culture. Parents will be asked to take a principal organizational role for at least one regatta to help arrange transportation of racers and equipment. See additional information below. 

A 4 week commitment is required. 

M-F, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

4-week sessions:               First Session - weeks 1-4                   Second Session-  weeks 5-8

$1,220 per 4 week session                          There is a 10% discount for registering for 8 weeks

QYC member rate is discounted 20%

Class Location / Meeting Place

Classes assemble on the deck to the left of the Quissett Harbor House, rain or shine. Students should not arrive more than 10 minutes before class and must be picked up promptly at the end of class. QYC instructors are responsible for your child until they "check-out" at the end of class. Instructors’ schedules are full. Please do not keep them waiting.

Required Gear

·       PFD. All sailors are required to have USCG approved PFD (Personal Flotation device.) To see if your PFD is Coast Guard approved, please look inside the jacket.

·       We also require your sailor have a whistle attached to their life jacket. 

·       Closed-toe shoes but No Crocs (sailing boots, old sneakers, keens, water shoes, are all good)

What to wear-we recommend

·       bathing suit

·       uv-protective long sleeve shirt

·       Sun hat, visor, baseball hat

·       sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen

·       Bring a re-usable water bottle

Safety & Weather                       

Safety is of the utmost importance. It is imperative that all medical forms be completed and returned with the registration materials. Each instructor boat is equipped with a radio and first aid kit.

It is very important that we know if your child will not be attending class. Please call or email the Program Director, Doug Jones, dougjones.qyc@gmail.com 508 221 6804 as soon as possible, before the start of class.

The Junior Sailing Program Director will review the weather forecast each morning. If possible thunderstorms are forecast, instructors will be advised to pay particular attention to the weather conditions on the water. The instructor in charge will cancel all water activities if thunder or lightning is in the vicinity. All sailors will take shelter as quickly as possible.

Boat Care

Quissett Yacht Club provides Optis, 420s, and Bullseyes to the Junior Sailing Program. This program requires considerable capital investment for the purchase and maintenance of the teaching fleet. Student sailors should recognize the importance of caring for our shared property. We expect parents to reinforce this message. Our instructors enforce safe-sailing practices by all students, especially the very young ones.

As part of this program, instructors give students clear verbal signals and warnings to avoid collisions wherever possible. Although accidents do happen, especially among beginners, we feel that it is extremely important to reinforce that collisions are not okay. With this in mind, when a crash occurs, students may be asked to relinquish the helm for a few minutes. This break is designed not as a punishment, but as a learning opportunity for sailors to talk with instructors and plan how they would handle the same situation the next time. After a few minutes, sailors are asked to take the helm and try once again.

If boats are damaged because of reckless, irresponsible, or unsafe behavior, parents may be asked to participate in the cost of repairing boats and equipment. At the discretion of the Program Director/Co-Chairs, repeat offenders will be asked to take a day off following an incident. Thankfully, this has occurred very rarely.

Student Conduct

Good sportsmanship and respectful behavior, both on and off the water, are expected of all sailors who participate in the QYC Junior Sailing Program. It is expected that all students will listen to and follow directions given by instructors concerning boats, skippers, crew, weather, etc. Instructors’ safety instructions and signals must be obeyed. All equipment and boats must be used safely and conscientiously.

Quissett Yacht Club does not own any land or buildings. By seasonal agreement with the Quissett Harbor Land Trust the QYC Junior Sailing Program is allowed to use some facilities belonging to the Land Trust, including the dock. The grounds of the Quissett Harbor House Land Trust, which include the Quissett Harbor House and the Harbor House dock, as well as the Salt Pond Area Bird Sanctuaries, Inc.’s conservation land known as “the Knob” must be treated with respect. As posted, jumping or swimming off the Harbor House dock is not permitted under any circumstances.

Inappropriate behavior, defined as uncooperative, disrespectful or unsafe behavior or in violation of Quissett Harbor Land Trust guidelines, will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in the sailor’s parent being contacted and the possible suspension of the sailor from class.

Volunteers

The Junior Sailing Program cannot operate without volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of tasks including: coordinating the QYC Unkie race day, sewing award burgees, trailering boats to regattas and coordinating carpools for the Race Teams. Parents are encouraged to be involved. We can use your help!