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Junior Sailing

Welcome to Norwalk Yacht Club Junior Sailing! Our Program is open for children ages 8-18 (by December 31st). Our class descriptions are below. If you would like information beyond what is presented here, please contact us.

At the bottom of this page you will find the link for online registration. It is a one step process where you will be able to sign JSA waiver, fully register your sailor, charter a boat if needed, and make payment. You will need to register each sailor separately.

-Bart DeBie, Jr. Sailing Chair

General Information

Norwalk Yacht Club's Junior Sailing program is for sailors age 8 to 18 based on their age on Dec. 31st. Non-members are welcome, and Norwalk Yacht Club has a full fleet of charter boats available.

Sailors 14-18 years old are eligible to participate in our Big Boat Program. Big Boat sailing is a stand-alone class - participants need not be a part of our other classes. The BB team generally practices after regular Jr Sailing hours and on weekends. The Program culminates in several local big boat PHRF and one-design regattas including an overnight race.

     REGISTRATION LINK

  • Morning Sessions
    • Monday thru Friday, 8:30am to noon

      Each class has a dedicated lead instructor and help from other staff.

      Optimist dinghies are required for all morning classes.

      A limited supply of Optimists are available for charter from Norwalk YC

      Optimist Beginner (8-12 years old) 

      The Optimist beginner program is for younger sailors who are new to sailing. This course will introduce the basics of sailing, focused on safety and fun. The objectives of the course are learning wind awareness, points of sail, familiarity with boat parts and terminology, basic knots, capsize and recovery, tacking and jibing, as well as other nautical skills.


      2024 Full Session (8 weeks) begins June 17th, $2,680 non-member/ $2,010 member
      2024 Half Session (4 weeks) begins June 17th and second session begins July 15th $1,910 non-member/ $1,440 member

      Optimist Intermediate (8-12 years old)

      The Optimist Intermediate program is for the more experienced sailor. This class builds on basic sailing knowledge, proper sail trim, basic right of way rules, more advanced knots, as well as tacking and jibing techniques. While the primary focus of this class is not on racing the triangle race course will be used to reinforce points of sail and proper sail trim. The Intermediate students will attend multiple regattas which are TBD.


      Full Session (8 weeks) begins June 17th $2,680 non-member/ $2,010 member
      Half Session (4 weeks) begins June 17th and second session begins July 15th $1,910 non-member/ $1,440 member

  • Afternoon Sessions
    • Monday thru Friday, 1pm to 5pm

      Each class has a dedicated lead instructor and help from other staff.

      Adventure Sailing (11-15 years old)

      No boat required: includes use of 420s, Ideal 18s, ILCA (Laser), Sunfish and other boats at no extra cost.

      Adventure sailing is for students ages 11-15 that have basic sailing knowledge. Not everyone likes sailing alone or likes to race. The perfect solution is a class that focuses on having the most fun possible while pleasure sailing and encouraging sportsmanship and teamwork. Students will experience destination and distance sails, continue to develop their safe boating skills, learn basic navigation, play on the water games, and participate in an “unregatta” racing during class time.


      Full Session (8 weeks) begins June 17th $3,640 non-member/ $2,730 member
      Half Session (4 weeks) begins June 17th or July 15th $2,600 non member/ $1,950 member

      Optimist Race Team (10-15 years old)


      Class legal Optimist required; contact the Sailing Director if you have questions regarding boat availability.

      This class is designed for students who are interested specifically in racing and further developing their knowledge and skills. With the expertise of an experienced Optimist Racing Coach, students will continue to hone their boat handling skills, starting and racing tactics/strategy, boat and sail tuning, sportsmanship, and learn more advanced racing rules. These students will attend regattas with their coach: TBD.


      Full Session (8 weeks) begins June 24th $3,250 non-member/ $2,440 member
      Half Session (4 weeks) begins June 17th or July 15th $2,320 non-member/ $1,740 member

      Feva Racing (12-17 years old)


      Sailors need to bring their own class legal boats.

      Sailors interested in the Feva Program are encouraged to reach out to the Sailing Director ([email protected]) as this program is dependent on number of Feva's signed up.


      The Feva Racing Class introduces two new sails, the jib and spinnaker. The RS Feva is sailed with two people. With the expertise of a Racing Coach, students will learn how to sail and work together as a team. Sailors will develop the skills necessary to purse interscholastic, intercollegiate, and other advanced dinghy racing events in larger boats. The focus is on honing their boat handling skills, starting and racing tactics/strategy, boat and sail tuning, racing rules and sportsmanship. These students will attend regattas with their coach: TBD


      2024 Full Session (8 weeks) begins June 17th $3,250 non-member/ $2,440 member
      2024 Half Session (4 weeks) begins June 17h or July 15th $2,320 non-member/ $1,740 member

      ILCA (Laser) Sailing/Racing (12-17 years old)


      Sailors need to bring their own class legal boats, all rigs are allowed.

      Sailors will be singlehanded in Lasers.

      The Laser class provides an avenue for sailors wishing to continue their singlehanded career and reach the next level of sailing ability. The focus will be on honing their boat handling skills, starting and racing tactics/strategy, boat and sail tuning, racing rules and sportsmanship. Laser sailors will be challenged but will also have plenty of non-race oriented sailing in their schedule as well. These students will attend regattas with their coach: TBD.


      2024 Full Session (8 weeks) begins June 17th $3,250 non-member/ $2,440 member
      2024 Half Session (4 weeks) begins June 17th or July 15th $2,320 non-member/ $1,740 member

      Big Boat (14-18 years old)

      The Big Boat Program is a separate, stand-alone class which teaches sailors navigation, seamanship, safety, and big boat racing and boat handling skills during evening and weekend practices. The class culminates in junior big boat regattas including short day races and an overnight distance race.

      Sailors interested in the Big Boat Program are encouraged to reach out to the Sailing Director ([email protected]) as this program is dependent on number of sailors signed up.


  • Team of Coaches
    • TBD