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!
Semi-Private Lessons
We are now offering Semi-private Lessons in small groups of 1-4 sailors.
$35 hr/person
1 to 4 sailors
save $20 if you register for the 8 hour bundle
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)
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 9 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.
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
Sundays: 9:00am-11:30am
Fall
August – November
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: 3:30pm-6:00pm
Fall
August – November
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 – November
Wednesdays: 5:00pm-7:30pm
Saturdays: 9:00am-2:00pm
Advanced Laser Class
This is a Laser-specific class that focuses on high-level racing and boat-handling skills. Participants should be interested in traveling to regattas throughout the season. Sailing experience is required to take this class, and you must be at least 14 years old. It will be one practice per week for five hours on Saturday mornings. Spots are limited to boat availability unless you bring your own boat.
All registrants for Advanced Laser Class must have approval from the AYC Coaching Staff.
Advanced Laser Class Schedule:
Spring: March – May, Saturdays 9:00am-2:00pm
Summer: June – July, Wednesdays 2:00pm-5:00pm
Fall: August – November: Saturdays 9:00am-2:00pm
Youth Fees Per Season
| Program | AYC Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fee (1 practice / week) | $150 | $350 |
| High School Fee | $150 | $230 |
| Additional Practice/Week (if applicable) | $100 | $100 |
| Bring Your Own Boat Discount | ($30) | ($30) |
| Full Year Discount
(pre-register for all seasons of a class) | ($50) | — |
