Junior Sailing

Welcome to the Manhasset Bay Junior Yacht Club Summer Program.
The junior sailing program is set to run June 20 through August 11, 2023

Registration for the 2023 Jr. Sailing Program is now Open! You will find all needed infromation at the bottom of this page. 

The program is designed to provide children of members between the ages of 9 and 18 with a summer of sailing instructions and regattas, swim team practice and competition, and tennis instruction. Each separate activity is overseen by a staff which is chosen specifically for their skill and training in sailing, swimming and tennis. The MBJYC sailing program is open to children of members, relatives of members, and on a limited basis, non-members’ children who are sponsored by a member of the Club.

MBYC Jr. sailing is governed by the Junior Sailing Association of the Long Island Sound (JSA of LIS). Once junior sailors skills are up to par, they will have the opportunity to travel and compete in junior regattas. Please take a look at jsalis.org/calendar for the listing of junior events. 

The sailing instruction is enhanced by a large selection of regatta opportunities for our junior sailors. Our governing body, the Junior Sailing Association (JSA) of Long Island Sound provides a schedule of regattas ranging from one-day events to three-day events. These regattas are open to varying skill levels from first time “green” sailors to the more competitive Championship events. Going to regattas gives the juniors the opportunity to see what they have learned in class and test their skills against juniors from other clubs in our area. Our junior sailors have been a great source of pride to the club through their efforts at regattas whether by winning trophies or just getting out and showing their stuff.

In Junior Sailing, we offer classes tailored to different age groups, skill levels, and group goals. These classes are Opti Green, Opti Champs, Adventure, and Race Team.

**Parents are required to register their sailor on the roster system with the JSA of LIS. You can do so here**

Opti Green (ages 9-12):
The Opti Green class is set up for the sailor that is new to the world of sailing, and accommodates beginner and intermediate sailors in this age group. We start with the very basics and focus on having fun and getting comfortable on the water.  After a few weeks, sailors will have the ability to fully rig and derig their boats, develop a knowledge of sailing terms, and often participate in their first regatta by the end of the summer. Opti Greens primarily sail a class of boat called the Optimist, which is specially designed for young beginner sailors. Opti Greens will also have the opportunity to sail on many other boats at the club, and gain big boat experience aboard our J105.. Opti Greens will also have the option to participate in Junior Tennis and the MBYC swim team, and will also engage in a myriad of games and activities both on and off the water. The goals for this class are to develop comfort and confidence in the boat and on the water, foster a love and respect for sailing, and grow as both an individual and a team throughout the summer.

Opti Champs (ages 10-15):
The Opti Champs class is for the sailor with one or more summers of sailing experience under their belt, and who is looking to take their sailing skills to the next level and participate in multiple regattas throughout the summer. The goal of this class is to further develop sailing and seamanship skills, learn the basics of racing and racing rules, and foster a positive team mentality towards sailing and racing. Opti Champs will primarily sail in single-handed junior boats, Optimists and Open Skiffs, and will also have the opportunity to sail on many other boats at the club, and gain big boat experience aboard our J105. Opti Champs will have the option to participate in MBYC Junior Tennis and the MBYC swim team, and will also engage in a myriad of games and activities both on and off the water.

Adventure (ages 13-18):
The Adventure class is for older sailors and is designed for both beginners and those with some experience. The adventure group sails a wide variety of boats at MBYC, including RS Fevas, Hobie Cats, Ideal 18s, the J105 and Beneteau 281, and more! The goal of Adventure is to develop comfort and confidence in sailing a variety of different types of boats; learn seamanship skills such as anchoring, docking, weather, navigation, capsize recovery etc.; and work together as crew when sailing a larger boat. Adventure sailors will have the option to participate in MBYC Junior Tennis and the MBYC swim team, and will also engage in a myriad of games and activities both on and off the water. Adventure Sailors will also be introduced to racing, and will have the option to participate in a few regattas during the summer.

Race Team (ages 14-18):
The MBYC Race Team is our racing program for older sailors. The Race Team primarily sails in JSA class certified boats that have championships throughout the summer. These boats include the RS Feva, C420, and Laser (radial and full rigs). Race Team members will also have the opportunity to join the MBYC Junior Big Boat program, where they will train and prepare on our J105 for a Junior Overnight Regatta towards the end of the summer. The goal of the Race Team is to develop an advanced understanding of racing rules and tactics, improve boat speed and boat handling, and compete in multiple regattas throughout Long Island Sound as a team.

2023 Junior Sailing Program Registration Packets: