Since 1996, the Eastern has offered its members a way to harness the wind and their skills through our family sailing program. Headquartered in the paddle tennis hut, with a "harbor station" by the causeway, our learn-to-sail activities serve members and their children in Optimist dinghies and Sonars. We have a great staff returning this year they will be led by our Program Director Tucker Blagden, Head Instructor Liam Kraft and Senior Instructor Tori Snow. They've got great plans to continue to enhance our sailing instruction while maintaining our safe and fun filled environment. We look forward to welcoming your children to this years program. Our program will begin on Monday June 28th. The first session will run for 4 weeks ending on July 23rd. The second session will run from July 26th through August 20th. We hope you'll join us for both sessions!
Session 1: June 28th - July 23rd
Session 2: July 26th - August 20th
Sloop Sonars (Tue & Thu 1-3) $225* per session
Description: Designed to provide a safe, stable, and fun introduction to sailing for EYC's youngest sailors. The varied curriculum presents basic boat handling and sailing terms, including safety rules and weather/wind observation. Children will sail in groups in Sonars. While teaching basic skills through games, hunts and other adventures, this class will help foster enthusiasm for further sailing. Note that this class is shorter than most (2 hours) to appeal to this young age group.
Prerequisites: Designed for EYC Camp children in Sloops, ages 5&6, generally having completed Kindergarten. Children not enrolled in Camp are welcome to take part in this class. This class takes and expands upon the fun group Sonar sailing that the kids are experiencing briefly in Camp. No previous sailing experience is necessary. This class will be geared towards the younger child getting comfortable and having fun on a boat!
Goals: Learn to enjoy and appreciate sailing in Marblehead harbor! The emphasis in this program is on fun & safety on the water.
Intro to Sailing (Tue & Thu 9-12) - $340* per session
Description: Designed to provide a broad introduction to all that Family Sail offers in and around the water. The fun and varied curriculum focuses on basic boat handling and sailing terms, including safety rules and weather/wind observation. Children will sail in both Sonars and Optimists (2 to an Opti). While teaching basic skills, this class will help foster enthusiasm for further sailing adventures.
Prerequisites: Designed for children ages 7 & older, EYC Camp children in Schooners & Clippers, , generally having completed 1st grade. In conjunction with Camp, this class provides a 5 morning a week experience. Children not enrolled in Camp are welcome to take part in this class. No previous sailing experience is necessary. EYC boats (Sonars and Optis) are provided.
Goals: Learn to enjoy and appreciate sailing in Marblehead harbor! The emphasis in this program is on fun & safety on the water.
Opti I (Mon & Wed 1-4, Thu 9-12) $510* per session
Description: This introductory class is designed to teach children basic boat-handling skills including tacking, jibing, making safe landings, and rigging an Opti. This class will principally be taught with 2 children to a boat to maximize fun and well being. All children will have an equal opportunity to helm the boat. Opti Beginners will generally sail in the immediate Riverhead float area.
Prerequisites: Designed for 8+ year old children with no dinghy sailing experience. EYC Optis are available for rent on a first come first serve basis. The rental fee is $30 per session. 2 children will be assigned to a boat for each session. If you provide your own boat, your child will always sail in it. The first 5 children registered with boats will get storage space on the Riverhead float for that session. Private boats can be shared. However, the JR Sailing committee will not coordinate sharing. Sharing must be coordinated by the families.
Goals: To enjoy their first dinghy sailing experience. The progression of the class will provide each child with some single-handed sailing by the end of the session, in order to be prepared for Opti II, Opti III, or Pleon.
Opti II (Mon & Wed 9-12, Tues & Thu 1-4) $680* per session
Description: This class is designed for beginning single-handed Opti sailors. Children will continue to develop basic boat handling skills, while learning about safety, wind observation, and taking care of their equipment. There will be plenty of fun games and adventures on water & land to keep the sailors engaged and enthusiastic. This class will do some double-handed sailing early on and in windy conditions. Single handed sailing will be emphasized as the sailors become more comfortable. Emphasis will be on having fun, as well as building confidence and competence.
Prerequisites: Designed for children having completed 2nd grade, with Intro to Sailing, or other basic Opti exposure. EYC Optis are available for rent on a first come first serve basis. The rental rate per session is $50.00. Families may also provide their own Optis which will be stored on the Riverhead floats.
Goals: To be proficient and confident single handling an Optimist, and ready for Opti III or Pleon.
Opti III (Mon & Wed 1-4, Tue & Fri 9-12) - $680* per session
Description: This all single-handed class is designed for children who have become proficient in basic Opti sailing and want to fine-tune their boat-handling skills while learning some basic racing techniques. This class will venture all around and just outside the harbor. Participants in this class are encouraged to participate in Marblehead Race Week (see details on our race week program below).
Prerequisites: Designed for children having completed 3rd grade, with Opti II or equivalent. Comfort sailing single-handedly is a must. Sailors must have their own Opti.
Goals: To have good boat handling skills, a basic understanding of how to get around a race course, and be prepared to enter Pleon as an enthusiastic, confident sailor.
RACE WEEK (Mon, Tue & Wed all day) - $150 (only $75 if in Session I). Does not include Race Week registration fee.
Description: This is a special coaching program for those children wishing to take part in the Opti Green fleet at Marblehead Junior Race Week (July 20-22). Race Week prep and on the water coaching & support is included all day, for all three days.
Prerequisites: Staff recommended. Sailors must have their own Opti.
* Please note: The Opti must be available all day for all three days. Therefore it cannot be a boat that is shared with someone in another EYC sailing class.
To register for junior sailing programs, please click "Registration" at the left or here.
