Junior Sailing Program

Summer Sailing registration is closed for the season

About Breakwater’s Junior Sailing Program

Breakwater’s Junior Sailing program runs from late June through early September and offers one week sessions to children ages 6 to 17 . Many students find it beneficial to enroll in multiple sessions, and a discount is offered for four or more weeks. Novice sailors typically spend three to four weeks in the beginners program before moving to the intermediate level and beyond. Breakwater also offers a junior racing program, in which sailors compete locally against teams from the North and South Forks, as well as in regional and national events.

The program utilizes Breakwater’s fleet of JY-15s and Optis, Sessions run three hours daily Monday through Friday, with beginners meeting from 9 a.m. to noon and intermediate sailors from 1 to 4 p.m. Students in the program start out by learning the basics of sailing, including how to rig a boat and what to do when it capsizes. They also learn how a boat responds to wind before they experience this concept firsthand on the water by running land drills, games and practice in the BYC land boat.

The enduring success of the summer program can be attributed to the skill, enthusiasm and dedication of Breakwater’s instructors. Many current instructors began as Breakwater junior sailing students themselves and are now passing their knowledge, experience and passion for sailing on to the next generation. With an Instructor to student ratio of 1 to 4 safety is always the priority, but the instructors make sure that everyone has fun. Breakwater aims to instill a life-long love of the sport in our students, who will have opportunities to continue sailing and racing at Breakwater long after they have completed the summer program.

Each summer, Breakwater offers numerous sailing scholarships to local youth. The Scholarships are distributed through regional public schools and non-profit organizations.

 Lifejackets will be provided for sailors if they do not have their own. It is advised that sailors bring a gear bag daily with the below following equipment:

 Change of clothes, hat, sunscreen, water shoes or flip- flops, sunglasses, sweatshirt, water bottle, and a towel.