Youth Sailing Education Programs
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 all year with course offerings for junior sailors of all ages and levels of experience.
Please see the website calendar for all practice times!
Junior Sailing Summer Camps
The Austin Yacht Club offers multiple summer programs for kids ages 4-16. The Summer Sailing Camp is a five-day day camp that provides a unique summer sailing experience on Lake Travis that teaches 8-16 year olds to sail small boats. The PB&J Summer Sailing Series is four weekly lessons for younger children to get comfortable on the water and learn the simple basics of sailing.
High School Sailing
for students 8th – 12th grades
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 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!
High School Schedule:
Spring season: March – May
Summer season: June – July
Fall season: August – November
Winter season: November – February (weekends only)
High school practices will be broken down into multiple groups. These groups will each have two practice days per week after school from 5:00PM-7:30PM.
The following ISDs have approved the Austin Yacht Club for Off-Campus PE credit: LTISD, EISD, and DSISD. Please contact your school counselor for information on how to get PE credit through high school sailing.
The Austin Yacht Club High School Sailing Program serves any and all high schoolers. The following schools have Sailing Teams that compete at regattas and occasionally travel to other yacht clubs to race.
Lake Travis High School
Westlake High School
Anderson High School
Cedar Park 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.
Opti Programs
Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced
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.
Spring
March – May
Saturdays 3:00PM-5:30PM
OR
Sundays 10:00AM-12:30PM
Fall
August – October
Saturdays 3:00PM-5:30PM
OR
Sundays 10:00AM-12:30PM
Opti II: Intermediate
The course curriculum focuses on refining boat handling skills and introductory racing skills and concepts through advanced racing tactics and strategy. 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.
Spring
March – May
Saturdays 11:30AM-2:00PM
Fall
August – October
Saturdays 11:30AM-2:00PM
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. For seasons with two practices per week, sailors will have the option to attend one or both practices.
All registrants for Opti III must have approval from the AYC Coaching Staff.
Spring
March – May
Wednesdays: 5:00pm-7:30pm
Saturdays: 9:00am-2:00pm
Summer
June – July
Wednesdays: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Fall
August – October
Wednesdays: 5:00pm-7:30pm
Saturdays: 9:00am-2:00pm
Laser and Flying Junior Class
The Laser and Flying Junior (FJ) class is for sailors who either have no experience sailing or have a little bit of experience and are interested in learning more in these boats. This is a great option for new or experienced sailors who are interested in learning more but are too big for an Opti and still too young for the high school program. Although, high school sailors are also encouraged to join and get some extra practice on the weekends! This class combines the use of singlehanded (one-person) and double-handed (two-person) boats to round sailors out with a full education. Beginner sailors will usually start off in a Flying Junior (double-handed) to learn about boat handling, points of sail, and rules of the road. The Laser part of the class will be focused on refining boat handling skills and introducing racing skills and strategy. The minimum age for this class is 12 years old.
Laser and FJ Class Schedule:
Spring: March – May on Sundays 2:00PM-4:30PM
Fall: August – November
Youth Fees Per Season
| Program | AYC Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fee (1 practice / week) | $200 | $350 |
| High School Fee | $200 | $300 |
| Additional Practice/Week (if applicable) | $100 | $100 |
| Bring Your Own Boat Discount | ($30) | ($30) |
