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Youth Programs

The RYC Youth Programs build fleets of young sailors, 8-18 years old, using current and effective curriculum, developing lifelong boating skills, self-confidence and respect towards others. The programs focus on sailing skills, seamanship and sportsmanship while teaching youngsters to care for their equipment. RYC offers learn-to sail fundamentals that develop into racing techniques and strategies.

Happy member kid with life jacket on a sailing boat during the Richmond Yacht Club sailing training programs

  • Junior Program Winter Sailing

    • The award winning Junior Program runs on Sundays from October to March. The program teaches junior sailors, ages 8 – 18, to safely enjoy and have fun learning the art and sport of sailing. The RYC program is designed to be accessible to a wide range of students and relies on volunteers to keep costs reasonable for all. Classes are taught in Optimists, El Toros, Lasers, FJs/420s and J22s. Students usually bring their own boats to class, although a limited number of Club El Toros, Optimist, Lasers, and FJs/420s are available for use by new students.

      Contact: Abby Wentworth and Kurt Lahr
      via email with this link:  [email protected]


      REGISTER HERE!

      RYC JUNIOR PROGRAM GUIDE 2023-2024

      Volunteer Here!

      Awards
      The Garrett Horder Trophy (2019)
      Most innovative juniors program on the west coast
      (from Canada to San Diego)

      The Admiral Chester W. Nimitz U.S.N. Perpetual Trophy (multiple years)
      Awarded to the RYC Junior Program as having made the greatest advancement during that year in promoting youth activity in yachting, including instruction in boat handling proficiency, seamanship and safety
  • High School Sailing

    • Open to high school sailors who are already familiar with the basics of sailing and would like to participate on their school’s team. The Fall season runs early September thru early November while the spring season runs February through April. Sailors are required to have their own sailing gear and a fee is required to participate on the team. There are regattas on weekends some of which are local, and others require travel with expenses covered by each individual sailor.

      Boats: CFJ

      Prerequisites: Have taken a prior sailing course and familiar with the basics of sailing. Interest in racing. Attends a high school with other sailors.

      Description: This program will primarily focus on sailing FJs. We will work on boat handling, maneuvers, tactics, starting, and will participate in as many regattas as possible. High School sailing is designed for students who already have a basic understanding of sailing and want to push to the next level. There will be two practices a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-6:45.


      Register Here!  

      Contact: [email protected]

  • Community Sailing

    • Boats: Opti, RS Tera, RS Feva

      Prerequisites: Participated in at least 2 weeks of the 2023 summer program.

      Description: For youth sailors who would like to continue improving during the Fall season. Focus will be on having fun, enjoying the sport of sailing, and hanging out with your sailing friends. Instructors will plan lessons focused on intermediate level sailing skills to help sailors improve. Classes will be on Fridays and Saturdays.


      Registration Link Coming Soon!  

      Contact: [email protected]

  • RYC Youth Racing Team

    • Boats: Tera, Feva, C420, 29er

      Prerequisites: Interest in Racing and/or prior racing experience.  Can rig their own boat.  Can attend regattas.

      Description: Registration for the RYC Youth Racing Team is for sailors who have prior RS Tera, RS Feva, C420, or 29er experience.  The group will be focused on learning racing skills in preparation for attending local area youth events.  Coaches will place sailors in the appropriate boats.  The team will practice twice a week on Tuesdays, Fridays when there is a weekend regatta, and Saturdays when there are no regattas.

      Register Here! 

      Contact: [email protected]

       

  • RYC Summer Sailing
  • RYC RS21
  • STEMsail

    • S.T.E.M. is a curriculum designed to educate students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEMsail seeks to reinforce these concepts utilizing sailing as a practical platform for learning with a special emphasis on sustainability and an awareness of our marine environment. STEMsail has partnered with US Sailing (the governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States), to initiate a program called REACH at RYC. The REACH curriculum contains ten learning modules, including subjects such as measuring wind, buoyancy, simple machines on sailboats, water quality testing and even underwater exploration. Environmental stewardship, especially as it applies to our oceans and waterways, is an additional hallmark of the REACH curriculum and is emphasized in every lesson plan. Through the Richmond Yacht Club Foundation, the club has been able to generously donate the use of their facilities, classrooms, boats and other associated equipment for our program.

      STEMsail