JUNIOR SAILING
Pre-race.
Spinnaker practice with our Cape Cod Mercury.
Pre-race.
About Junior Sailing
Welcome to Housatonic Boat Club Junior Sailing Program! We are looking forward to another great season of being on the water and introducing children to the exciting sport of sailing.
Many HBC members have been hard at work through the off season maintaining the Junior Sailing Boats to ensure they are ready for our program and look great! We are looking forward to carrying on with the great and valuable traditions of the HBC Junior Sailing Program.
Learn to sail with us on the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound, sailing our 420s, Lasers, Feva and Mercurys. Our program is for students ages 8-18 and runs for 7 weeks. Students learn tacking, jibing, sailing rules, upwind sailing, downwind sailing, capsize recovery, racing tactics, racing, and knot tying. Students can also win Seamanship Awards, Top Skipper Award and many other awards. Young sailors also enjoy our Big Boat Day out on Long Island Sound aboard HBC member boats. A sailor's age as of December 31st is considered their age for the year.
Dates: June 26- August 11, 2023, including July 4th
Time:
Monday- Friday
Full day sailing instruction: 8:30AM-5:00PM (there is a break from 12:15-1:15. No instruction during lunch, lunch is not provided)
Half day instruction: 8:30AM-12:15 PM and 1:15PM-5:00PM
Please note that here is no program engagement provided during the break between classes
Place: Housatonic Boat Club
Shore Road, Stratford CT 06615
203-377-9195
The Junior Sailing building is South of the main Club house.
Instructors: Our qualified, creative, and talented instructors are trained through the US Sailing Instructor’s Program, with a US Sailing Certificate.
All instructors are required to have First-Aid and CPR certifications. Instructors will cover elements of Small Boat Sailing Skills, such as understanding rigging, wind directions, tacking, jibing, capsize/recovery, knot tying, rules of the road, racing and more!
Morning Class: The Beginner Sailor will learn parts of the boat, sailing terminology, the basics of sailing, wind direction, how to tack and jibe, basic rules of the road, how to care for their boat, and communication through team work. Must be at least age 8 before our season starts.
Afternoon Class: The Intermediate and Advanced Sailor will focus on advanced boat handling skills, racing tactics, sportsmanship, seamanship, self-discipline, and respect for one another.
Students may register for both morning and afternoon classes, however, please note that there is no program engagement or supervision provided during the break between classes.
Please note: Preference is given to HBC Members and Returning Students, who will be accepted as a first come first served basis.