NSC Sailing School - Youth Courses

Wet Feet

Recommended Age: 7 to 8

Prerequisites: None

Description: Wet Feet is a program aimed at young participants who want to learn about sailing and water safety. The curriculum includes lifejacket safety, and how to balance, sit, and move in a small sailboat. Additional activities include arts, crafts, and beach activities. The goal of this program is to get participants comfortable in small boats and introduce basic sailing concepts. Although participants will learn basic sailing skills, participants will not be able to sail on their own at the completion of this course.

Length: 1 week

White Sail Level I

Recommended Age: 9 to 10

Prerequisites: Wet Feet recommended but not required

Description: White Sail I is a program aimed at introducing basic sailing concepts to participants through games and activities on and off the water. The curriculum includes water safety, knots, rigging and capsizing. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and weekly theme days. By the end of the course, participants will comfortably be able to sail around a course with a partner. Participants may also achieve the CYA White Sail I standard.

Length: 2 weeks

White Sail Level II

Recommended Age: 9 to 10

Prerequisites: White Sail I

Description: White Sail II is a program aimed at building on the basic sailing concepts introduced in White Sail I through games and activities on and off the water.. The curriculum includes terminology, docking, sail trim (points of sail), and turtling. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and weekly theme days. The goal of the program is to get participants to sail on a course independently and under instructor supervision. Participants may also achieve the CYA White Sail II standard.

Length: 2 weeks

Adventure Sailing

Recommended Age: 9 to 12

Prerequisites: White Sail II

Description: Adventure Sailing is a program aimed at introducing the fundamentals of destination sailing. The curriculum includes basic camping skills, chart reading, weather, and trip planning. Additional activities include arts, crafts, and beach activities. The goal of the program is to show participants how they can use their sailing skills off of a course. Extra costs for an overnight sailing trip may be required. Estimated additional cost is $15.

Length: 2 weeks

Introduction to White Sail Level III

Recommended Age: 12 to 13

Prerequisites: White Sail II

Description: Introduction to White Sail III is a program aimed at building on the basic sailing theory introduced in White Sail II through games and activities on and off the water. The curriculum includes the lateral buoyage system, rules of the road, and man overboard drills. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and weekly theme days. By the end of the program participants will be able to sail in double sailed boats (aka double handed) under instructor supervision.

Length: 2 weeks

White Sail Level III

Recommended Age: 12 to 13

Prerequisites: Introduction to White Sail III

Description: White Sail III is a program aimed at completing the basic sailing theory requirements outlined by the CYA through games and activities on and off the water. The curriculum includes towing, sailing by the lee, seamanship and boat handling. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and weekly theme days. By the end of this course, students will be able to comfortably sail in a double handed boat. Participants may also achieve the CYA White Sail III standard.

Length: 2 weeks

Bronze Sail IV

Recommended Age: 13 to 14

Prerequisites: White Sail III

Description: Bronze IV is a program aimed at introducing advanced double handed boating skills to participants. The curriculum includes self rescue, advanced sailing terminology, rudderless sailing and sailing backwards. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and an adventure sail to Alymer Island. The goal of the program is to get participants to master both their helming and crewing skills. Sailors wishing to achieve the CYA Bronze IV standard will require two or more two-week sessions.

Length: 2 weeks

Bronze Sail V

Recommended Age: 14 to 15

Prerequisites: Bronze IV

Description: Bronze V is a program aimed at introducing spinnaker work and trapezing. The curriculum includes parts of a spinnaker, trapezing technique, anchoring and flying spinnaker. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and an adventure sail to Alymer Island. The goal of the program is to get participants to master both their spinnaker and trapezing skills. Sailors wishing to achieve the CYA Bronze V standard will require two or more two-week sessions.

Length: 2 weeks

Silver Sail VI

Recommended Age: 15 to 16

Prerequisites: Bronze V

Description: Silver VI introduces racing techniques and concepts to sailors wishing to explore competitive sailing. Instructors will teach sailors starting techniques, racing tactics and racing theory. Students are expected to participate in racing throughout the year, including two regattas out side of the club. By the end of the course, sailors will be able to race competitively at the local sailing level. Students can either use their own boat or a Club 420 in this course. Participants may achieve the CYA Silver VI and/or CYA Learn to Race standard by the end of the course.

Length: 8 weeks

NOTE 1: Except week of Aug 2-6

NOTE 2: The youth registration discount applies if the student is part of a Family Membership. Silver Students will receive a Student Membership valid for the Membership year.

Graduate Program

Recommended Age: 15 to 16

Prerequisites: Silver VI

Description: The Graduate Program builds on the racing concepts introduced in Silver IV. Students are expected to participate in racing throughout the year, including two regattas out side of the club. By the end of the course, sailors will be able to race competitively at the local sailing level. Students can either use their own boat or a Club 420 in this course.

Length: 4 weeks

Junior Keelboat Training

Recommended Age: 11 to 17

Description: The Junior Keelboat Training program is designed for juniors who have little to no sailing experience. Participants are introduced to the fundamentals of sailing while aboard 22 - 24 foot keelboats. They will be taught all the sailing basics to achieve their CYA Basic Crew or/and Basic Cruising standard as well as their CYA Operator's Card.

Length: 1 week