CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
OPTI BEGINNER
Prerequisites: 7 years old / Must Pass Swim Test on the First Day
Age Recommendation: 7-12 years old
The goal of the Opti 1 class is for each student to have a positive early experience while sailing, comfort of sailing solo and understanding how to reach a windward destination. The class will be taught in the Plopti, which is a sturdy plastic version of the Opti. This is a true beginner class that teaches children the basics so that they can successfully sail and handle an Optimist (Opti). Optimists are 8-foot, single-sail boats, piloted by youth ages 7-15. Optimists are the largest "one-design" competition fleet in the world, with young sailors graduating to become the best high school, university and Olympic competitors. In the camp classes there is a strong emphasis on safety near and on the water, teamwork, and seamanship skills. Having fun is a priority for this class so sailing games and other skill-related activities are incorporated into the course along with a Fun Day at the end of each session. Some skills that will be taught; Parts of the boat and sail, points of sail, steering, rigging, capsize recovery, and the basics on up wind sailing. It is common for sailors to participate in Opti 1 more than once before moving to Opti 2.
Age Recommendation: 7-12 years old
The goal of the Opti 1 class is for each student to have a positive early experience while sailing, comfort of sailing solo and understanding how to reach a windward destination. The class will be taught in the Plopti, which is a sturdy plastic version of the Opti. This is a true beginner class that teaches children the basics so that they can successfully sail and handle an Optimist (Opti). Optimists are 8-foot, single-sail boats, piloted by youth ages 7-15. Optimists are the largest "one-design" competition fleet in the world, with young sailors graduating to become the best high school, university and Olympic competitors. In the camp classes there is a strong emphasis on safety near and on the water, teamwork, and seamanship skills. Having fun is a priority for this class so sailing games and other skill-related activities are incorporated into the course along with a Fun Day at the end of each session. Some skills that will be taught; Parts of the boat and sail, points of sail, steering, rigging, capsize recovery, and the basics on up wind sailing. It is common for sailors to participate in Opti 1 more than once before moving to Opti 2.
OPTI INTERMEDIATE
Prerequisites: Meet the goals of Opti Beginner / Must Pass Swim Test on the First Day
Age Recommendation: 7-13 years old
The goal of Opti 2 is for each student to be able to execute racing starts, slow speed maneuvers, and efficiently sail upwind. Opti 2 brings together all of the skills learned from Opti 1 and continues to develop confident sailors who have a strong foundation of sailing knowledge. Students work on refining boat handling, including steering to proper course, weight placement and body position, controlled tacks and gybes, and sail trim in order to sail the boat efficiently by themselves. The class will be taught in the Optimist, which is an 8’ single-sailboat.
Age Recommendation: 7-13 years old
The goal of Opti 2 is for each student to be able to execute racing starts, slow speed maneuvers, and efficiently sail upwind. Opti 2 brings together all of the skills learned from Opti 1 and continues to develop confident sailors who have a strong foundation of sailing knowledge. Students work on refining boat handling, including steering to proper course, weight placement and body position, controlled tacks and gybes, and sail trim in order to sail the boat efficiently by themselves. The class will be taught in the Optimist, which is an 8’ single-sailboat.
FJ BEGINNER
Prerequisite: Must Pass Swim Test on the First Day
Age/Weight Recommendation: 12-17 years old or over 110 lbs.
The FJ class is a mixed-level class designed for junior sailors who are interested in sailing a boat with a partner. Beginners learn the basics of sailing like rigging, parts of the boat, sail trim, body positioning and the many roles as a crew while the intermediate sailors focus on skippering and controlling the mainsail. FJ sailors are grouped together based on their skill level. This class is taught in the Flying Junior, which is a 14’ Olympic racing boat sailed by two people and is commonly sailed on high school and collegiate levels. There is a strong emphasis on communication and teamwork, which are vital to double-handed sailing.
Age/Weight Recommendation: 12-17 years old or over 110 lbs.
The FJ class is a mixed-level class designed for junior sailors who are interested in sailing a boat with a partner. Beginners learn the basics of sailing like rigging, parts of the boat, sail trim, body positioning and the many roles as a crew while the intermediate sailors focus on skippering and controlling the mainsail. FJ sailors are grouped together based on their skill level. This class is taught in the Flying Junior, which is a 14’ Olympic racing boat sailed by two people and is commonly sailed on high school and collegiate levels. There is a strong emphasis on communication and teamwork, which are vital to double-handed sailing.
ADVENTURE SAILING
Prerequisite: Must Pass the Swim Test on the First Day
Age Recommendation: 8-17 yrs
Not everyone likes sailing alone or has a strong desire to race, so the Adventure Sailing class offers the perfect solution. The focus of this class is to have the most fun possible while encouraging sportsmanship on the water. Students will learn to sail in a group on a 24-foot Martin sailboat (with mainsail and jib) and experience the thrill of sailing on the ocean. Our instructors will teach students sailing knowledge and terms, boat maintenance and rigging, knot tying, tacking, docking and instruction to ocean sailing. Learn new skills and the confidence to accomplish whatever comes next. It’s fun to sign up with a friend!
Age Recommendation: 8-17 yrs
Not everyone likes sailing alone or has a strong desire to race, so the Adventure Sailing class offers the perfect solution. The focus of this class is to have the most fun possible while encouraging sportsmanship on the water. Students will learn to sail in a group on a 24-foot Martin sailboat (with mainsail and jib) and experience the thrill of sailing on the ocean. Our instructors will teach students sailing knowledge and terms, boat maintenance and rigging, knot tying, tacking, docking and instruction to ocean sailing. Learn new skills and the confidence to accomplish whatever comes next. It’s fun to sign up with a friend!
Check out the Parent Portal for more details, equipment needs and important documents:
FAQ's:
what does the swim test require?
The first day will include a swim test for all and a capsize drill for Opti and FJ sailors. At the start of each session students are required to swim 20 yards from the dock (in the King Harbor basin) and back, without a lifejacket. Then each student, while treating water, must put on their lifejacket. We do not compare stroke, style or speed but the swim test needs to be completed in the water of the dock. This is cold (68'F) unclear water. If your sailor has concerns it is a good idea to practice in the ocean at the beach. If the student does NOT want to take the swim test, he or she cannot participate in the camp curriculum and get on the boats. No refunds will be given if the student does not want to participate in the swim test. Please contact the Director or Head Coach with any questions regarding the swim test.
WHAT TIME WILL THE KIDS HAVE LUNCH? IS LUNCH PROVIDED?
The students that attend a full day camp will get an hour lunch break from Noon to 1pm. We do not supply lunch to the sailors so please send them with a lunch. The Yacht Club kitchen may be open on certain days of the week for students to buy lunch. Instructors need to take a lunch break and students that stay over for lunch are expected to conduct themselves appropriately while they stay on the King Harbor Yacht Club premises.
What will my child need to bring?
1. U.S. Coast Guard Approved Life Jacket (PFD) - This can be purchased at West Marine, REI, Dive n' Surf, or most sporting good stores.
2. Closed-toed shoes - Needs to be worn at all times. Sneakers & water shoes work well. No flip-flops or open-toed shoes!
3. Towel - Expect to be wet everyday!
4. Change of clothes
5. Sun protection - Hat, sunglasses, sun-screen, etc.
6. Bag to hold all of your stuff!
7. Write your name prominently on your belongings.
2. Closed-toed shoes - Needs to be worn at all times. Sneakers & water shoes work well. No flip-flops or open-toed shoes!
3. Towel - Expect to be wet everyday!
4. Change of clothes
5. Sun protection - Hat, sunglasses, sun-screen, etc.
6. Bag to hold all of your stuff!
7. Write your name prominently on your belongings.
is there after care?
No. Students are expected to be picked up when class ends or can bike/walk home with parent permission ahead of time. A fine may be issued for late pick up.
How do i know what level of sailing may child is?
If you do not know what skill level your child is in, please consult [email protected] or [email protected] before you register. After a sailor completes a class, parents will receive a Class Recommendation email for their sailor's next class from the Head Coach. Refunds will not be granted for students who cannot be reassigned to other classes due to capacity or schedule conflicts. Refunds will not be given for students who lack a skill for a specific class. Any transfer between classes incurs a $10.- transfer fee.
wHAT is the cancellation / refund policy ?
We understand life happens and we aim to be flexible, but please read our refund policy carefully.
*Each cancellation out of the program will incur a registration fee 5.93% of the tuition rate which will be deducted from the balance refunded. This is not a cancellation fee, but is the amount that Clubspot charges us at the time of purchase or cancellation. Clubspot is the registration system through which all bookings are managed and also acts as the payment processor. As a small non-profit organization, these registration fees have a significant impact on our operating budget.
- If you cancel with greater than 30 days notice from the first day of your course, you will get a full refund, minus the registration fee*.
- If you cancel 29 - 15 days prior to the first day of your course, you will get a 50% refund, minus the registration fee*.
- If you cancel 1 - 14 prior to the first day of your course, you are not eligible for a refund for the course or registration fee.
- There are no refunds for missed programs/lessons or programs/lessons canceled due to bad weather. We typically practice in most conditions that are safe and will have classroom work or other alternative trainings in bad weather conditions.
*Each cancellation out of the program will incur a registration fee 5.93% of the tuition rate which will be deducted from the balance refunded. This is not a cancellation fee, but is the amount that Clubspot charges us at the time of purchase or cancellation. Clubspot is the registration system through which all bookings are managed and also acts as the payment processor. As a small non-profit organization, these registration fees have a significant impact on our operating budget.