Youth Sailing Education Programs
2020 Semi-private Lessons
We are now offering Semi-private Lessons in small groups of 1-4 sailors. At this time, we’re limiting registration to Members Only.
Semi-Private Lessons will run Monday through Friday broken up into three 2 hour sessions per day.
Lessons are $35/ hour Per Person
Save $20 if you register for the 8-hour bundle
Once you register with the link below you will be contacted to schedule your lessons.
Session A 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Session B 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Session C 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Register Here
Summer Youth Program Parent Handbook 2020
2020 Evening Private Lessons
Evening Private lessons will also be available from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm during the week. At this time, we’re limiting registration to Members Only. available upon request. Please Click Here to Email Spencer our Youth Sailing Director to schedule your one on one Private Lesson.
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The Austin Yacht Club is a leader in youth sailing education in Central Texas. The Junior Sailing Program provides the opportunity for youth to develop the skills and confidence necessary to spark a life-long love of the sport. Our Junior Sailing Program runs from March to mid-November with course offerings for junior sailors of all ages and levels of experience. Now open to the public!
***Please see website calendar for all practice times and scheduled dates***
Click here for Junior Sailing Summer Camps for ages 4-16
High School Sailing
AYC has a robust and energetic high school program that is growing rapidly! This high school program is open to everyone in 8th-12th grades. For this Fall Season we will be shifting our program to single handed sailing utilizing our fleet of Lasers, Sunfish, and Picos.
The focus of this high school program is twofold. Most importantly the sailors will learn the basics of sailing, rigging, and introductory racing. Once the sailors have mastered these skills the curriculum will switch to advanced racing tactics, boat handling, and an intense knowledge of the racing rules of sailing. There is no sailing experience required to join this program!
To help follow all social distancing guidelines this season will be broken up into smaller groups mostly based on experience levels. Group sizes will vary in size but will be a max number of 8 sailors in a group.
Club boats will be sanitized after every use, Temperatures will be recorded upon arrival, and Face Masks will be required.
The following high schools have Sailing Teams and students may also receive PE Credit. Contact your school counselor for more info.
Lake Travis High School
Westlake High School
Sterling Classical School
Once you have registered you will be assigned to a group and we will make a practice schedule for that group that is at least two days a week running into early November. Depending on school schedules there may be morning practices scheduled.
High School Registration
Opti I: Beginner
No sailing experience necessary! This introductory program is designed to teach sailors ages 8-12 the basics aboard our fleet of Optimists and Picos. Curriculum emphasizes the basics of sailing terminology, seamanship skills like knot tying and rigging, and boat handling. Sailors will be considered ready for Opti II when they are comfortable sailing independently upwind in 13-15 knots.
2020 Opti I Schedule:
Spring: Spring, March – June, Saturday, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Fall: August – November, Saturday, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Opti II: Intermediate
Course curriculum focuses on refining boat handling skills and introductory racing skills and concepts up through advanced racing tactics and strategy. On Saturdays, Opti II will practice primarily separate from Opti III and sometimes together when Opti III are in town. Opti II has ranging skill levels from recent Opti I graduate to experienced sailors.
All registrants for Opti II must have approval from the AYC Coaching Staff.
2020 Opti II Schedule:
Spring: March – May Saturday, 9:00am-11:30am
Fall: August – November, Saturday 9:00am-11:30am
Opti II Registration
Opti III: Advanced
Opti III practice is for those sailors who are interested in the highest level of competition. This class is geared towards the sailors that travel to regattas on weekends, so the practice schedule is structured around the TSA regatta schedule. On Saturdays, due to the travel schedule of most of our Opti III sailors, practices will be held on 6 weekends for 5 hours per practice, so as to maximize the practice time our sailors receive. Opti III practices are offered twice a week (Wednesday & Saturday). Sailors have the choice of attending either practice or both.
All registrants for Opti III must have approval from the AYC Coaching Staff.
2020 Opti III Schedule:
Spring: March – May, Wednesday, 5pm-7:30pm & Saturday, 9:00am-11:30am
Summer: June – July, Wednesday, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Fall: August – November, Wednesday, 5pm-7:30pm & Saturday 9:00am-2:00pm
Opti III Registration
Laser & Flying Junior (FJ)
No prior sailing experience necessary! Flying Juniors (FJs) are double-handed (two-person) boats. Inexperienced sailors will be partnered with experienced skippers. FJ curriculum is focused on boat handing and destination sailing, rules of the road, and points of sail. Laser curriculum focuses on refining boat handling skills and introductory racing skills and concepts. Students signing up for Laser & FJ class will have the opportunity to sail both boats. Typically, students with no sailing experience will start in the FJ and progress into sailing the laser throughout the course.All participants must be at least 12 years of age.
2020 Laser & FJ Schedule:
Spring: March – May, Saturday, 3:00pm-5:30pm
Fall: August – November, 3:00pm-5:30pm
Laser & FJ Registration
2020 Junior Sailing Program Fees
*Per Season
Austin Yacht Club Sail Training Policy
Contact
For questions about Junior Sailing at the Austin Yacht Club, please contact AYC’s Youth Program Director at (512) 266-1336 or send an Email to AYC’s Youth Sailing Director