Junior Sailing Overview
Welcome! Our Junior Program offers an engaging opportunity for youth to become accomplished sailors while enjoying the town's seaside location and making new friends.
Program Details
- Ages: The program is designed for youth ages 10–16.
- Grade Requirement: To enroll, students must have successfully completed the 4th grade.
- Structure: The program follows a progressive, four-year curriculum focused on developing seamanship basics and advanced sailing skills, culminating in the opportunity for Race Team participation.
Required Equipment
Students must have the following mandatory equipment to participate:
- A U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III life jacket
- Closed-toe shoes
Sunscreen and a positive attitude are also highly recommended!
Progressive Curriculum
The Junior Program is structured into four distinct levels, each building upon the skills learned in the previous year:
| Program Year |
Level |
Description |
| First Year |
Sailor |
Beginning students focus on essential seamanship basics (must have completed 4th grade or be older). |
| Second Year |
Mate |
Students acquire intermediate sailing skills. |
| Third Year |
Skipper |
Participants develop advanced boat handling and leadership skills. |
| Fourth Year |
Captain |
The final level focuses on mastery of sailing and seamanship. |
Race Team
After the successful completion of the four-year program, eligible students with advanced skills may try out for the competitive Race Team for a fifth year, and participate again as a sixth-year student.
Missed Class Policy and Private Lesson Information
We understand that summers are a busy time of year and schedule conflicts may arise. The following policies are in place regarding missed classes and make-up opportunities:
Notification: You are only required to contact the Program Director if your child is expected to miss more than one-third (1/3) of their scheduled classes this summer.
Make-Up Classes: Due to high enrollment and full class sizes, we cannot accommodate requests for students to attend different class times to make up for missed days.
Private Lessons: If you wish for your child to catch up on missed material, private lessons can be arranged with the Program Director for an additional cost.
Meet Our Program Leadership and Instructors
We are pleased to welcome back Maryellen Holler as our esteemed Program Director.
Our instructional team is composed of enthusiastic college and high school students, many of whom are alumni of our very own Junior Program and Race Team. This ensures that every instructor brings a passion for sailing and deep familiarity with our curriculum.
Instructor Certifications
We maintain a high standard of expertise among our staff:
- Senior Instructors: All Senior Instructors are certified as U.S. Sailing Level I Instructors and have met rigorous national standards through an intensive week-long training program and examination. They have also successfully completed the Massachusetts Environmental Police Boating Safety Course.
- Instructors: Other instructors are highly experienced sailors working toward becoming senior instructors in future seasons.
- Instructors in Training (IITs): Our team is completed by Instructors in Training, who assist the senior staff in all facets of the program, gaining valuable experience along the way.
Levels
Explorer = Introduction to boating, after 3rd grade (non-sailing program not available every season)
Sailor = 1st year sailing, after 4th grade - 3 sessions offered - Sailor I, II or III
Mate = 2nd year - 2 sessions offered - Mate I or II
Skipper = 3rd year
Captain = 4th year
Race Team B = 5th year & beyond, first year on Race Team
Race Team A = 6th year & beyond
Class Sizes
Sailor (1, 2, 3) - 20/class
Mate (1,2) - 20/class
Skipper - 30
Captain - 30
Race Team
Adult Sailing (A & B) max 20/class