Junior Sailing Curriculum

LCYC Junior Sailing Curriculum

Beginner Class
Qualifications :

  • Ability to swim and tread water

Students will learn :

  • Safety
  • LCYC Junior Sailing Rules and harbor rules
  • General water precautions safety whistle, sun protection, hydration, correctly wear a PFD, put on and take off a PFD in the water
  • Basic sailing safety maneuvers capsize recovery, safety position, respond to a storm warning, and avoid collision
  • Seamanship
  • Respect for others, positive view of sailing, and teamwork
  • Tie figure 8 knot, square knot, cleat knot, and bowline
  • Rig and de-rig an Opti or FJ
  • Understand wind direction
  • Understand towing how to safely attach the Opti/FJ and steering
  • Boathandling
  • Steering, and trimming the main sail and/or jib
  • Docking, leaving and returning
  • Sit in correct position in the boat and hold the tiller and main sheet correctly or jib sheet
  • Tacking and gybing
  • Points of sail
  • Sail a course triangle, figure eight, and square

 

Intermediate Class
Qualifications :

  • Ability to swim and tread water
  • Understand wind direction
  • Rig and de-rig
  • Steer, and trim sail(s)
  • Tack and gybe
  • Basic knots

Students will learn :

  • Safety
  • All safety skills from beginner class will be reviewed
  • Seamanship
  • Respect for others, and equipment.
  • Positive view of sailing and teamwork
  • Use sailing language to advance communication on the water (leeward/windward, starboard/port)
  • Knots will be reviewed
  • Take care of an opti/FJ storage, washing, and proper sail care
  • Understand how the mechanics of a sail work
  • Simple navigation
  • Simple wind recognition puffs, lulls.
  • Boat handling
  • Review of docking
  • Recover from irons
  • Proper body position and weight placement in the boat
  • Downwind sailing reach, run, trim, steering, sail by the lee, adjust dagger board
  • Upwind sailing close-hauled, straight course, trim for speed, telltales
  • Review of sailing courses triangle, figure eight, and square
  • Stop and start the boat
  • Execute a 360
  • Review of points of sail, and points of sail for speed
  • Body weight in the boat steering with weight, adjustments for points of sail
  • Sail shape when, why, and how
  • Sail backwards
  • Racing
  • Basic introduction to racing
  • Basic tacking and sportsmanship rules
  • Mark rounding
  • Basic racing courses and starts

 

Advanced Class
Qualifications :

  • Ability to swim and tread water
  • Understand wind direction
  • Rig and de-rig
  • Steer, and trim sail(s)
  • Tack and gybe
  • Basic knots
  • Dock successfully
  • Understand simple navigation
  • Recover from irons
  • Understand basic speed principles (trim for speed, weight placement for speed)

Students will learn :

  • Safety
  • All safety skills from beginner and intermediate classes will be reviewed
  • Seamanship
  • Continue use of sailing language to enhance communication on the water
  • Knots will be reviewed
  • Understand how the mechanics of a sail work
  • Navigation
  • Wind recognition puffs, lulls, headers
  • Respect for others, and equipment
  • Positive view of sailing and teamwork
  • Boat Handling
  • Review of docking
  • Recover from irons
  • Proper body position and weight placement in the boat
  • Downwind sailing reach, run, trim, steering, sail by the lee, adjust dagger board
  • Upwind sailing close-hauled, straight course, trim for speed, telltales
  • Sailing courses for best speed triangle, figure eight, and square
  • Stop and start the boat quickly
  • Execute a 360 and 720
  • Review points of sail for speed
  • Body weight in the boat steering with weight, adjustments for points of sail
  • Sail shape when, why, and how
  • Sail backwards
  • Spinnaker use
  • Racing
  • Rules of racing, tacking and sportsmanship rules
  • Mark rounding
  • Race courses and start techniques
  • Introduction to team racing
  • Downwind and upwind racing techniques
Club

LCYC is a member-run yacht club located in a sheltered cove on the southwest shore of Shelburne Bay in Shelburne, Vermont, USA. We offer moorings, activities, and community for our members, most of whom own a sailboat or powerboat. The object of the Club is to promote and encourage boating and sailing on Lake Champlain, while emphasizing racing, cruising, and education, without financial gain. Click here if you are interested in joining LCYC!

About | Binnacle | Directions | History

Cruising

Lake Champlain offers some of the best freshwater cruising in North America. The beautiful scenery and charming lakeside destinations make it a great place to explore. LCYC organizes several rendezvous events. Spontaneous cruising events also materialize throughout the season. We have a number of scheduled events planned for the summer season. Cruisers are out and about just about every weekday and weekend throughout the summer.

Cruising | Events | Destinations | Safety

Lake Champlain Yacht Club has an active junior sailing program, open to all children ages 8-17. We use Optimist prams and Flying Junior dinghies for instruction and racing. Full and half-day sessions are offered for all ability levels over an eight week period each summer. All of our Instructors are US Sailing certified and have extensive experience.

Registration | Schedule | Curriculum | Boat Use