Austin Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program
The Austin Yacht Club is a leader in youth sailing education in Central Texas. The “Roadrunner” 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. The sailors will use our club-owned fleet of Flying Juniors. 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! Inexperienced sailors will be paired up with more experienced skippers to facilitate learning.
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
PLEASE NOTE: Our practice structure is changing for 2019. There will be three practice days per week (Tuesday, Thursday & Friday) and sailors will be allowed to attend up to two practices per week, due to high enrollment numbers. There is no additional cost for two practices vs. one.
The daily practice structure will break down as follows:
Tuesdays – All sailors who are registered are encouraged to attend.
Thursdays – Lake Travis Group 2, Westlake Group 2, Remaining High School Group 2
Fridays – Lake Travis Group 1, Westlake Group 1, Remaining High School Group 1 (Max of 24 Sailors)
****The first week of Spring and Fall practices, everyone may attend all three days so we can separate groups and assign practice days.
2019 High School Sailing Schedule:
Spring: March – June, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 5pm-7:30pm
Summer: June – July, Tuesday, 2pm-5pm
Fall: August – November, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 5pm-7:30pm
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.
2019 Opti I Schedule:
Spring: Spring, March – June, Saturday, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Fall: August – November, Saturday, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Opti II: Intermediate & Opti III: Advanced
Opti II curriculum focuses on refining boat handling skills and introductory racing skills and concepts up through advanced racing tactics and strategy. On Wednesdays, Opti II & III groups share a practice time so that the sailors can learn from one another and practice in larger fleets. On Saturdays, Opti II will practice with Opti III when they are in town. Opti II practices are offered twice a week. Sailors have the choice of attending either practice or both. Opti II has ranging skill levels from recent Opti I graduate to experienced sailors.
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 II & III must have approval from the AYC Coaching Staff.
2019 Opti II Schedule:
Spring: March – June, 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-11:30am
Opti II Registration
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2019 Opti III Schedule:
Spring: March – June, 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-11:30am
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.
2019 Laser & FJ Schedule:
Spring: March – June, Saturday, 3:00pm-5:30pm
Fall: August – November, 3:00pm-5:30pm
Laser & FJ Registration
2019 Junior Sailing Program Fees
*Per Season
**Increased junior program fees are being used to facilitate travel to regattas by AYC coaches.
Austin Yacht Club Sail Training Policy
Private Lessons
If you cannot find a training option that fits your needs and schedule, or if you prefer a more private approach, AYC offers private lessons that can be scheduled at your convenience! Whatever your needs are, our US Sailing certified instructors will work with you to tailor a training experience that’s right for you. Per Person Hourly Rate
|
# of Students |
Hourly Cost Per Person | |
|
1 Person |
$50 |
|
|
2-4 People |
$40 |
Lessons for groups of 4 or more may be arranged upon request. To arrange for private lessons, send an email to AYC’s Sailing Training Commander
Contact
For questions about Junior Sailing at the Austin Yacht Club, please contact AYC’s Sailing Commander at (512) 266-1336 or send an Email to AYC’s Sailing Training Commander