Junior Sailing Overview
Junior sailors hauling the gear
For more than 50 years the Agamenticus Yacht Club has taught youngsters the basics of sailing, seamanship and safe conduct on the water. In order of importance, the AYC Junior Sailing Program focuses on safety, enjoyment and knowledge of sailing. Classes meet rain or shine and include instruction on water safety, rowing, knot tying, nautical rules and terms and sailboat rigging. Occasional field trips and inter-club racing activities add variety and excitement to the program.
Our Junior Sailing Program is available to children ages 8 - 18. All students must demonstrate swimming competency and have their own Coast Guard approved type III life jacket. Instruction takes place in our Harbor, on the York River and in adjacent ocean waters.
AYC has a highly trained staff of U.S. Sailing Certified Instructors. The staff is sensitive to each child's needs and promotes respect for the water and love for sailing. Class size is limited to 13 students who are coached and supervised by a minimum of two instructors, assuring both safety and fun.
CLIPPERS (AGES 8 to 10)Clippers is a great class for kids who are new to sailing. Clippers classes typically focus on teaching basic sailing skills and principles. The curriculum includes learning some nautical terms, parts of the boat, rigging and derigging, finding wind direction, learning to steer with a tiller, practicing tacking and gybing, water safety, and knot tying.
SCHOONERS: (AGES 9 to 11)
Schooners class is designed for younger sailors who may have some previous sailing experience. The curriculum allows sailors to further develop their understanding of sailing fundamentals including rigging, boat handling, landing and departing the dock. Beyond those refreshers, schooners sailors will also begin to learn their points of sail, reading the weather, seamanship, water safety and the basics of racing and sportsmanship.
CUTTERS (AGES 10 to 13)Cutters is an intermediate class for sailors who want to not only perfect the sailing skills they have learned from Clippers and Schooners but also continue to learn new skills. This curriculum focuses on sailing in varied sailing conditions and learning how to navigate and gain confidence sailing in double-handed boats.
GALLEONS (AGES 12 +)Galleons class is designed for sailors who are interested in learning a range of sailing skills including: determining a course of navigation, rules of the road, anchoring and advanced boat handling. The Galleons class will sail a variety of boats. The curriculum in this class is for those sailors that want to continue to expand their sailing skills, without the commitment of joining our 420/Laser Race Team.
Our Junior Sailing Program is available to children ages 8 - 18. All students must demonstrate swimming competency and have their own Coast Guard approved type III life jacket. Instruction takes place in our Harbor, on the York River and in adjacent ocean waters.
AYC has a highly trained staff of U.S. Sailing Certified Instructors. The staff is sensitive to each child's needs and promotes respect for the water and love for sailing. Class size is limited to 13 students who are coached and supervised by a minimum of two instructors, assuring both safety and fun.
CLIPPERS (AGES 8 to 10)Clippers is a great class for kids who are new to sailing. Clippers classes typically focus on teaching basic sailing skills and principles. The curriculum includes learning some nautical terms, parts of the boat, rigging and derigging, finding wind direction, learning to steer with a tiller, practicing tacking and gybing, water safety, and knot tying.
SCHOONERS: (AGES 9 to 11)
Schooners class is designed for younger sailors who may have some previous sailing experience. The curriculum allows sailors to further develop their understanding of sailing fundamentals including rigging, boat handling, landing and departing the dock. Beyond those refreshers, schooners sailors will also begin to learn their points of sail, reading the weather, seamanship, water safety and the basics of racing and sportsmanship.
CUTTERS (AGES 10 to 13)Cutters is an intermediate class for sailors who want to not only perfect the sailing skills they have learned from Clippers and Schooners but also continue to learn new skills. This curriculum focuses on sailing in varied sailing conditions and learning how to navigate and gain confidence sailing in double-handed boats.
GALLEONS (AGES 12 +)Galleons class is designed for sailors who are interested in learning a range of sailing skills including: determining a course of navigation, rules of the road, anchoring and advanced boat handling. The Galleons class will sail a variety of boats. The curriculum in this class is for those sailors that want to continue to expand their sailing skills, without the commitment of joining our 420/Laser Race Team.
Safety First!
One of the first lessons in capsizing
Safety is our priority. You've noted the constant focus upon safety in the Sailing Programs, and now we'll tell you about the safety qualifications of our teaching staff.
Our staff is highly trained for what they do. They each maintain a current U.S. Sailing Association Sailing Instructor Certificate, as well as current first aid and CPR certifications.
Safety procedures are an integral part of our junior sailing instructional curriculum, and inseparable from the ways we move boats, students and equipment around on our local waters. Here are some of the routines and methods which we practice every day:
Our staff is highly trained for what they do. They each maintain a current U.S. Sailing Association Sailing Instructor Certificate, as well as current first aid and CPR certifications.
Safety procedures are an integral part of our junior sailing instructional curriculum, and inseparable from the ways we move boats, students and equipment around on our local waters. Here are some of the routines and methods which we practice every day:
- All students and instructors are required to wear life jackets at all times when on our floats, in our boats, or on the water.
- NOAA weather forecasts are checked every morning before class. In many classes, the students themselves participate in securing this information and posting it in the clubhouse. Lesson plans for the day are customized to suit the conditions.
- Once a decision is made to get out on the water, the risk of deteriorating or threatening weather remains a crucial factor in deciding how many people, boats and equipment are deployed.
- Staff maintain constant communication with one another through the use of hand held VHF radios, which they must have with them at all times. Additionally, we have a full time dock steward at the clubhouse 7 days a week who is an invaluable asset in managing the shore-based aspects of any type of emergency.
- We strive to maintain connection and involvement with the parents of our young sailors. Knowing what you want for your child, understanding the level of risk with which you are comfortable as your child learns new skills, and knowing how you see them progressing in the program are all indirect, but important ways we create a safe, fun and productive experience for your son or daughter.
- Use of club owned boats are restricted to those members who have been "certified" by our instructors in the operation of the boat/s they wish to use. Instructors may require a member to take one or more private sailing lessons to refine the skills necessary for unsupervised access to a particular boat.
Rigging the Opti's for sailing
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Junior Sailing RatesThere are (2) 4-Week Sessions for each class.
Level Single Session Full Season Clippers, Schooners, $1,000 ($625) $1,270 ($850) Cutters & Galleons NEW! Clippers 2-Week Sessions: Members // $350 Non-Members // $460 Note: AYC Members enjoy reduced class rates, shown in parentheses. We also offer multiple child discounts. 5% for 2 sailors. 10% for 3+ sailors. |