Junior Sailing Programss

Our Junior Sailing Programs are designed to promote skill progression and continuity. Small class size and personalized instruction will accelerate learning in a fun and safe environment. Students must be comfortable swimming in Oyster Bay. Swim check and capsizing drills are performed on the first day of class, except for Jr. Keelboat.

More Youth Programs: Field Trips for Camps Junior Summer Boy Scouts Girl Scouts High School Sailing Private Lessons

JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAMS

Optimist I
Opti Spring Fever (Grds 5-10)
Back To School Opti (Grds 5-10)
Opti Racing (Age 8-15)
Jr Keelboat (Grds 5-12)
High School Sailing (Grds 7-12)

Optimist I

basic keelboat training

This learn-to-sail class is for beginner and novice sailors. Sailors learn basic seamanship including rigging, basic boat-handling and points of sail while building confidence to skipper an 8-foot Optimist alone. Small and stable enough to be rigged and sailed by a child, the Optimist is the most popular and ideal choice for young sailors. Students learn knots, wind awareness, tacking, gybing, capsize recovery, points of sail and sail trim. Sailors in Optimist I will build confidence and comfort on the water as they become captains of their own ships!

Schedule:	2 weeks; 1-4pm see program schedule for dates
Fee:	$600
Ages:	5th-8th grade 50-110lbs
Register:	coming soon

Opti Spring Fever

Eager to get on the water? Join us for “spring training” in Optis and get a jump start on the sailing season! Suitable for all skill levels.

Schedule:	Saturdays 1-4pm; May 12, 19, June 2, 9, 16m
Fee:	$300
Ages:	5th-10th grade
Suggested Weight Range:	50-110lbs
Register:	coming soon

Back to School Fall Optimist Sailing

Just because summer is over doesn't mean sailing has to be... beat the back to school blues on the water! Savor cooler days and steady breezes while improving sailing skills. Suitable for all skill levels.

Schedule:	Saturdays 1-4pm; September 8 – October 6
Fee:	$300
Ages:	5th-10th grade
Suggested Weight Range:	50-110lbs
Register:	coming soon

Opti Racing

basic keelboat training

Get ready for the excitement of youth racing! This all-new program is for Opti sailors who are ready to race! Sailors practice performance boat-handling and sail trim as they learn racing rules and tactics in preparation for competing at area regattas at some of Long Island Sound’s sailing sites. Youth racing is an exciting circuit of competition ranging from the local to international level. This program will take our sailors out of West Harbor and competing against youth sailors from other programs in the Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound (JSA).

WFC provides charter boats and transportation logistics to make the transition to regattas easier for families. Each 2-week session includes one ‘away’ regatta, including boat transportation, regatta entry and coach fees. WFC may not transport sailors, but will help to arrange carpools. Sailors may sign up for multiple sessions, and attend multiple regattas. All sailors are invited to attend the final week for no additional fee, during which they will race at the JSALIS Opti Championship (if they qualified at designated qualifying events during the summer racing season) or JSALIS Opti Alternate Regatta. Join the fun of youth racing… join the WFC Opti Racing Team!

Schedule:	2 weeks; 9am-4pm, see program schedule for dates
Fee:	$1100 (includes: JSA membership dues, regatta entry fees, boat transportation)
Boat Charter:	Bring your own Opti or charter ours! $300/first session, $100 each additional session
Ages:	8-15
Weight Minimum:	50lbs
Prerequisite:	Opti II and instructor recommendation
Register:	Coming Soon

Jr Keelboat (Grds 5-12)

Enjoy learning to skipper and crew a 23’ Sonar with up to four friends with an instructor on board. Sailors learn to work together to perform basic keelboat sailing maneuvers with an emphasis on safety and seamanship. Great for groups!

Sailors will build teamwork as they learn to rig and set sail together. Basic knots, safety protocol, wind awareness, points of sail, tacking, gybing and Crew Overboard Recovery will be covered.

Schedule:	3 hrs/day for one week; scheduled at your convenience
Fee:	$1400 per group (4 children per group)
Ages:	5th-12th grade 50-110lbs

High School Sailing (Grds 7-12)

basic keelboat training

WFC is proud to offer the premier open access High School Sailing Program on Long Island! Sailors of all skill-levels are invited to join and experience race training in our 420s. Enjoy fleet and team racing, bring your team or sail with ours! WFC provides the fleet, coaching, safety boats, regatta support, and can help you get a team started for your school.

Schedule:	Monday-Friday 3:30-6pm Saturdays & Sundays 1-4pm Spring Season: March 19 – June 3 Fall Season: Sept 4 – Nov 4
Fee:	$500 Full Season; $300 10-Session Package; $35 Pay per Play
Ages:	7th-12th grade
Register:	coming soon


	* A 50% deposit per person per course is required to secure your spot in any course. Classes are held rain or shine. The WaterFront Center (WFC) reserves the right to reschedule or cancel a class due to severe weather conditions. WFC reserves the right to cancel any instructional sailing program if total enrollment is less than two (2) people. Full payment is required on the course start date. Private lessons may not be applied to any certification course as course time, all certification courses are offered as is - unless special arrangements are made before the lesson begins. Deposits are refundable, less $50 materials/administrative fee, up to one week prior to the start of the course. If a student cancels within one(1) week of the course start date, the student may reschedule within the same season only. No refunds will be given within one week of the course start date. Once a course has begun no refunds are given for any reason. All rates and dates are subject to change. If any customer cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice, without a doctor’s note or they do not show for the class, no refund will be given and the program cannot be rescheduled. * Late Adult Registrations: If you try and register for a program beginning in 7 days or less we cannot secure your spot or accept payment online. Please give us a call to find out if there are any openings and if we can accommodate you we will accept payment by check or credit card before the first day of the program.