Year Round Sailing Programs
Programs are split into session:- Early Fall and Late Fall - September to December
- Winter - January to Mid March
- Spring - Mid March to May
- Summer Program - (2 weeks long) June to Mid-August
Classes:
- Sea Squirts
- Optimist Beginner and Intermediate
- Adventure Fun Sail
- Youth Sailing Team
- Adult Introduction to Keelboat
- Adult Introduction to Sunfish
- Able to swim 50 yards and pass a swim test. .
- Provide a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III Personal Flotation. Device (PFD) with a plastic whistle attached.
- Sailing gloves and sunglasses are recommended for all courses.
- Classes are taught by our Instructors and will be held at St. Croix Yacht Club for youth ages 8 to 18.
Non Members are welcome!
These programs are a graduate program. We recommend that each sailor go through the designed progression of the program, for each class of boat. Every sailor is different and our instructors will assess your the skills and comfort with the level at which he/she is sailing. Instructors may recommend that some sailors may need to repeat one of the classes if they have not successfully mastered each skill required in that class.
Our program strives to create a fun and safe environment where sailors can learn and come to love the sport of sailing. We emphasize the importance of teamwork, respect, and safety in daily lessons. Our number one goal is to pass on our passion for the sport to the next generation of St. Croix Sailors.
Further information Contact: WaterFront@StCroixYC.com
Class Descriptions:
Sea Squirts:
The Sea Squirt program is designed to introduce young sailors to fun and safety in, around and on the water. The goal of this course is to build young sailor's love for sailing in a controlled and safe environment. The class is designed to work with the children at the level that they are comfortable with. Activities build confidence and include sailing, knot tying, nautical terminology, crafts, songs, water activities and "messing about in boats". We emphasize the importance of teamwork, respect, and safety in daily lessons. Our number one goal is to pass on our passion for the sport to the next generation of St. Croix Sailors.
Optimist Beginner:
This class offers an opportunity for young beginner sailors to learn basic boat-handling, points of sail, sportsmanship, water safety and rigging while having fun and getting comfortable on the water. Sailors will learn with one or two sailors in each boat. Ages 8 - 15, recommended weight less than 130 lbs. Curriculum will include basic knots, parts of the boat, parts of the sail, rig/de-rig, launching and docking, points of sail, tacking and jibing, figure 8 course, triangle course, capsize recovery and more!
Optimist Intermediate:
The Optimist class is a stepping stone for sailors who want to become involved in more competitive, higher level racing. Sailors are required to already know and understand proper sailing upwind and downwind by themselves, wind direction, parts of the boat, knots, how to rig and derig by themselves, and towing behind a motorboat. Sailors will learn racing, rigging and advanced boat handling techniques.
Adventure Fun Sail:
This fun program explores the waters of the East End of St Croix from a variety of watercraft, including, Opti's, Sunfish and 420's. Sailors enjoy sailing games, sailing excursions to nearby destinations like Smugglers Cove, Buck Island and adventures around Teague Bay and neighboring bays. Sailors will also increase sailing experience and improve on sailing and nautical skills! We emphasize the importance of teamwork, respect, and safety in daily lessons. Our number one goal is to pass on our passion for the sport of sailing to the next generation of St. Croix Sailors. Required Prerequisite: Ages 9-16, Completed SCYC Intro Sailing course or instructor approval.
Youth Sailing Team:
The Youth Sailing Team will be primarily 420's
The South Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association’s (SAISA) allows public and private schools to create sailing teams under the auspices of the schools and parents. The St Croix Yacht Club is committed to working with interested schools.
Adult Intro to Keelboats:
The SCYC owns two Rhodes 19's. This class is designed for SCYC Members who are interested in learning or improving their sailing skills on small Keel boats.
Adult Introduction to Sunfish:
The Sunfish has been one of the most popular classes on this side of the world for its recreational use and competitive sailing. It is a great boat to quickly get out on the water. As all dinghies, this boat requires decent mobility, upper body strength and the knowledge that you will be having to climb in and out of the boat from the water.
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