Please help us continue and expand our programs.
Junior Course Descriptions
Descriptions and Schedule
| Session 1: | June 25 - July 6 |
| — no sailing July 4 — | |
| Session 2: | July 9 - July 20 |
| Session 3: | July 23 - August 3 |
| Session 4: | August 6 - August 17 |
- All sessions are two weeks long.
- We highly recommend all sailors sign up for two consecutive sessions if possible.
- If you do sign your child up for two sessions (4 weeks of sailing), please sign them up for the same level class for both sessions (eg: session 1 = 420 beginner, session 2 = 420 beginner).
- Sailors may attend morning, afternoon, or both sessions as classes are available.
Beginner Frosty : M-F 9am-12pm
This beginner course is designed for kids ages 8-10, stressing basic sailing skills, confidence building and water safety. This class is limited to six sailors per session.
Intermediate Frosty: M-F 1pm-4pm
For sailors who have completed Beginner Frosty or the equivalent. This successor to Beginner Frosty focuses on developing sailing knowledge, building boat handling skills and provides competence on the water.
Beginner Optimist: M-F 9am-12pm OR 1pm-4pm
A course intended for 8 to 12-year-olds (or anyone under 100 lbs.*) who are new to sailing. As with the Frosty class, this course focuses on basic sailing skills, confidence building and water safety. This class is often repeated to ensure a solid foundation of basic skills. You can also choose to take this class for a full day by signing up for am and pm.
*If your child is over 5 ft. tall and over 100 lbs., they are probably a better suited for the Beginner 420 class.
Intermediate Optimist: M-F 9am-12pm
For sailors who have completed Beginner Optimist or the equivalent. This successor to Beginner Opti focuses on developing sailing knowledge, building boat handling skills and provides an introduction to racing. This class is often repeated to ensure a solid foundation of boat handling skills.
Advanced Optimist: M-F 1pm-4pm
For sailors who have completed Intermediate Optimist or the equivalent. This successor to Intermediate Opti is designed for kids interested in becoming skilled sailors. They'll have demonstrated the skills needed to participate in more advanced sailing activities, including racing. Navigation, boating safety and fun are emphasized. Some sailors will participate in local regattas including the MIRC series.
Optimist Race Team: M-F 10am-4pm
June 25-Aug 3 (Sessions 1, 2 & 3). A FULL DAY CLASS (10am-4pm). To be a part of the Opti Race Team, you must sign up for a minimum of 2 sessions (either 1 & 2 or 2 & 3). The curriculum is geared toward improving racing tactics and knowledge of racing rules. All racers in this class will compete in local regattas. Parents will be expected to attend occasional parent meetings, and share responsibility for providing transportation and on-site regatta assistance during the season. This is an all-day class with a 30-45 minute lunch break. We encourage Opti Racers to sign up for all three sessions (minimum 2). Regatta fees are not included in the program fees. SailMaine does provide finance support for regatta fees if needed. This class is by invitation only.
Frosties and Optis are both singlehanded boats.
Laser Class: M-F 1pm-4pm
New this season! Sessions 3 and 4 only (Jul 23-Aug 3, Aug 6-17). This class is for sailors who are competent skippering their own boat and therefore have completed a few sessions of junior sailing either in optimists or 420s (or the equivalent). This class will focus on learning the "ropes" of a laser including boat handling skills, proper rigging and how to race a laser. Sailors must be 115+ pounds.
We have four lasers available – first come, first serve. You are also welcome to BYOB (bring your own boat).
Lasers are singlehanded boats.
Beginner 420: M-F 9am-12pm OR 1pm-4pm
An entry level class for sailors who are 12 and older and/or weigh over 100 lbs. This class is for those who are new to sailing or have sailed in single-handed boats and need some more confidence in a double-handed boat. This class stresses basic skills, confidence building and water safety. You can also choose to take this class for a full day by signing up for am and pm classes.
Intermediate 420: M-F 9am-12pm OR 1pm-4pm
A higher-level 420 course designed for kids who have demonstrated the skills necessary to participate in more advanced sailing activities, including racing. The class will focus on developing sailing knowledge, building boat handling skills and provides an introduction to racing. You can also choose to take this class for a full day by signing up for am and pm.
Advanced 420: M-F 1pm-4pm
June 25-Aug 3 (Sessions 1, 2 & 3). This class will focus on racing skills. This group will practice starts, mark roundings, tactics, and racing drills. The curriculum is geared toward improving racing tactics and knowledge of racing rules in addition to navigation and water safety. These experienced sailors will compete in interclub and regional regattas both at home and away. By invitation only.
420s are doublehanded boats.
Adventure Class: M-F 12pm-4pm
NEW this summer! Offered session 1 and 2. This is a class for adventurous, experienced sailors who want to sail beyond the buoys. This class is designed to expose those junior sailors to all aspects of boat handling, navigation and seamanship. The students will sail in SailMaine's Ynglings, Sea Sprite, Catalina 22 and collegiate 420's. They might even take out a Frosty from time to time! The class will culminate in an overnight cruise planned by the sailors. Ages 12 and up.