To help Junior Sailors experience the joy of sailing and sailboat racing and promote ethical behavior and the teaching of life-long lessons, which seek to build character, foster teamwork and strengthen respect for self and others.
Basin Bandits will explore sailing with an instructor nearby in a one person Optimist sailboat.
Boat usage included in the program fee.
Optimist (8-14 year olds)
4 or 8 week sessions.
Morning classes for beginner to advanced intermediate sailors 8:30am - 12pm.
Afternoon class for advanced racing sailors 1-5pm (8 week session only). Prior regatta experience required.
Sailors must provide their own Optimist sailboat (owned or chartered). CPYC has a limited number of charter boats available.
RS Feva (12-16 year olds)
4 or 8 week sessions.
Afternoon classes for beginner to advanced sailors 1-5pm.
The RS Feva is a modern two person boat for teens with two sails plus spinnaker, raced from club levels to international competition.
Sailors must provide their own Feva sailboat (owned or chartered). CPYC has a limited number of charter boats available.
Laser (14-18 year olds)
8 week session only.
Afternoon class for advanced racing sailors only 1-5pm. At least two years of travel regatta experience required.
Sailors must provide their own Laser sailboat (owned or chartered).
Laser 4.7 sailors must weigh 95+ lbs.
Laser Radial sailors must weigh 110+ lbs.
Laser Standard sailors must weigh 130+ lbs.
Club 420 (14-18 year olds)
8 week session only.
Afternoon class for advanced racing sailors only 1-5pm. At least two years of travel regatta experience required.
Sailors must provide their own Club 420 sailboat (owned or chartered). CPYC has a limited number of charter boats available.
Big Boat (14-18 year olds)
8 week session (practice times vary, including overnights and weekends).
For experienced sailors interested in teamwork, navigation, seamanship and long distance and overnight passages/racing across Long Island Sound.
Add-on program, additional fee required.
Program FAQ:
Junior Sailors can enter the program at any age (7-18) and at any skill level.
Sailors will be paired up with kids of similar skill/age/interest by their instructors.
Kids will learn boat rigging, sailing, weather, navigation, and teamwork.
Most of our sailors return year after year to continue to develop life-long skills and friendships.
Safety is our primary concern – all instructors are CPR and US Sailing instructor certified, everyone wears life jackets, we use multiple safety boats, monitor for bad weather and stay on shore if needed.