Beginning & Intermediate Sabots – Thursdays
Pre-C3: Learning to Race – Fridays
Sabot Race Team – Fridays & Saturdays
La Playa Scrimmage Series – Intermittent Tuesdays
Laser Development & Racing Program
Advanced Double Handed with PLHS – Mondays & Thursdays
29er Development & Race Team Practices
This class is ideal for sailors who are new to double-handed sailing or want to continue working on their fundamentals in a CFJ. It is a great option for some of our experienced sabot racers, graduates from a summer or fall double-handed class, or older kids that are new to the sport. This class will focus on rigging, teamwork, the basics of boat handling, and introduce sailors to racing in CFJs.
This group is ideal for sailors who plan on building towards racing in a C420. They will be practicing spinnaker sailing and learning to use a trapeze harness. Sailors will be working on boat handling and teamwork as they strive to master these new skills. Sailors must have prior experience sailing, either in Sabots (C1 and up), or have demonstrated competency in the Intro to Double Handed Class.
This class is ideal for new sailors that have little to no experience. They will be learning the fundamentals of sailing in a sabot including rigging, understanding wind direction, launching and docking, points of sail, and will be building comfort and competency on the water.
The Intermediate Sabot Sailing class is reserved for sailors that have already taken Beginning Sabots and have demonstrated comfort with the fundamentals of sailing. This class will build on skills developed in beginning sabots with focus on upwind sailing, boat handling, and aims to prepare sailors for the pre-C3 class where they will learn to race.
Two Sessions available:
Entry Fee: $190 Member / $225 Non-Member
The class that's launched generations to a lifetime of sailing! Kids will sail with two or three of their peers and an instructor in a 14-foot dinghy and learn through demonstrations and practice. The game-inspired curriculum covers sailing terminology, finding wind direction, learning to steer with the tiller, and fundamental seamanship skills. The class familiarizes kids with water safety and dinghy sailing, while enabling them to feel comfortable around the club and on the water.
This class aims to develop the next generation of Sabot Racers. Sailors will learn the fundamentals of sailboat racing, including starting sequences, mark roundings, boat handling, and introducing the Racing Rules of Sailing.
Entry Fee: $495 Member / $580 Non-Member
Eligibility:
Sailors can be moved up into the racing classes upon coach recommendation.
Sabot Racing practices are open to sailors from C3 to A fleet. The goal of this course is to develop confident and successful sailors in the sport. The curriculum will include technical boat setup, boat handling, starting strategies, upwind/downwind tactics, and some rules study. Sailors will be divided into groups based on their fleet status where these topics will be tailored to each skill level. Privately owned boats are not required but are strongly encouraged.
A-C1: This group will expand on the Summer Program curriculum, including tactics, strategy, team racing, and FUN.
C3/C2: This group will continue working on boat handling skills and the fundamentals of fleet racing.
Due to the impact of the Star World Championship Regatta, Junior Program activities at SDYC will be substantially reduced. Thanks to the hospitality of our neighbors at Southwestern Yacht Club, we will have the opportunity to hold two sabot practices out of their facility in preparation for the Fall Gold Cup Regatta at NHYC.
These practices will be limited exclusively to the sailors who are registered to compete at the Fall Gold Cup Regatta. Sailors who are not registered for the regatta by 9/3/2024 will not be allowed to participate in this practice.
Sailors attending the Fall Gold Cup Regatta MUST have prior travel regatta experience.
Tuesday, September 3rd
Friday, September 6th
La Playa Series Sabot Races are afternoon race events held in the La Playa anchorage between SDYC and SWYC. The races are open to all San Diego Area Junior Sailors in A-C3 fleets. These events are great first regattas for new racers and are still great practice for experienced Sabot racers in higher fleets.
Laser Race Team practices will prepare sailors for three local regattas this Fall. Whether you are just getting started with Laser racing or have previous experience and want to improve your skills, these practices will set you up for success!
Boats are not provided, but a limited number of charter boats are available. Please contact the Juniors Office at juniors@sdyc.org to inquire about chartering a boat. Available charter boats will be granted on a first come, first served basis.
Eligibility Criteria:
This course is designed to introduce junior sailors to the exciting world of Laser sailing. Guided by a team of seasoned coaches, you'll gain competency in rigging, foundational boat handling skills, and immerse yourself in extensive on-water sessions to gain invaluable hands-on experience. Unveil a world of possibilities that will shape your path in the sport, whether you're a skilled Sabot racer ready to chart a new course or a high school sailor eager to expand your racing horizons!
Schedule: TBA
Boats are not provided, but a limited number of charter boats are available. Please contact the Juniors Office at juniors@sdyc.org to inquire about chartering a boat. Available charter boats will be granted on a first come, first served basis.
Eligibility Criteria:
The SDYC Doublehanded Race Team will be working primarily in CFJs, C420s and 29ers. The goal of this class is to prepare doublehanded teams for local SDAYC events, SCYYRA Series events, high school sailing, and select US Sailing events. Charter fees and coaching for regattas are included in the class entry fee.
Sailors in this class will be training with a focus on High School Racing. They will receive world class coaching and practice with the Point Loma High School Sailing Team. At each practice, participants will gain a new ‘take away’ for their tactical toolbox.
Sailors will be guided by experienced and passionate instructors who will provide hands-on instruction to give you a comprehensive understanding of the 29er. Experienced racers from upper Sabot fleets, C420’s, and CFJ’s will learn about rigging, fundamental boat handling skills, and important safety skills. By the end of this course, sailors will be equipped with foundational skills that will allow them to progress into future HPYS clinics and local 29er regattas.
Eligibility:
Loaner HPYS 29ers with practice sails will be available on a limited basis for an additional $100/session.
Sailors can sign up solo but one coaching goal will be to form teams to train for and sail in the following regattas:
Sailors should augment their weekly training sessions with HPYS Clinics at SDYC.
This class is ideal for sailors who…
More training dates TBA…
All decisions regarding program admission and safety will be made by the coaching staff and Junior Sailing Director. Certain weather conditions may require the coaching staff to restrict or cancel practices for safety reasons. Class fees will not be prorated in these circumstances.
Sailors must contact the SDYC Dockmaster for any boats kept at SDYC. Storage fees will apply. Availability is limited.
Team allocation is at the sole discretion of the Junior Sailing Director and coaches.
Questions? Contact the Juniors Sailing Office, or stop by the Malin Burnham Sailing Center
San Diego Yacht Club has the honor of hosting the 2024 Star World Championship Regatta during the first two weeks of September. SDYC will be welcoming many of the world’s top sailors in this historic and prestigious class. Hosting this regatta is a major team effort, and the Junior Program is excited to contribute many of our coach boat assets and classroom spaces to the event. For this reason, Junior Program activities during the Star Worlds will be greatly reduced and most classes will begin after the regatta has concluded.
Click here for more information on the Star World Championship.
Cancellations outside of 10 days before the first scheduled day of class shall be granted a full refund, less a $50 service charge. Cancellations within 10 days of the first scheduled day of that class shall receive a 50% refund. Once a class starts, no refunds available.
If you have a conflict between desired racing classes, please email the Junior Sailing Director at erik@sdyc.org to discuss appropriate credits/refunds. Sailors are welcome to switch between racing classes that are scheduled on the same day with advanced notice.
Students enrolled in Sailing programs will have access to coaching at SDAYC Luff-In Regattas, SCYYRA Series Regattas, and specific US Sailing Events with 5 or more SDYC sailors registered to attend. On the Jr Calendar you will notice an emblem 
next to each regatta that are currently budgeted to support with coaching, trailers, etc.
Sailors not enrolled in any SDYC Junior Sailing program classes may pay a $45 fee per day for SDYC Members and $65 for Non-Members to support the cost of providing a coach.
Sailors who wish to solicit SDYC support at non-budgeted regattas must contact the Junior Director at least 14 days in advance. Sailors may be billed additional fees for events outside of San Diego County.
Parents who tow a trailer will automatically be allocated a spot on the trailer. Thereafter, the SDYC trailer space will be reserved on a first come, first served basis for SDYC member sailors who are registered for regattas. Should there be an available spot for a nonmember sailor it will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Click here for more info on towing.
All sailors are responsible for loading and unloading their own boats. In order to keep the trailers in shape and ready for the next travel event as soon as possible, all boats need to be unloaded at SDYC within 72 hours after arrival back at SDYC. If a sailor cannot do so themselves, or arrange help to unload, a fee of $20 for staff to unload may be assessed.
Boat insurance is strongly advised. SDYC is not liable for any damage incurred during loading/ unloading or transport. Please see the program waiver for details.
Parents please refrain from interupting or distracting during class times. If you wish to inquire about your child's progress in the program, please wait until after class to speak with the coaches or contact the Junior Director. We also ask that parents give the classes space while spectating, following the class on the water can be distracting for the kids and coaches.
Want to learn more about seamanship on and off the water? Check out SDYC's resident Sea Scout Ship 1886! The Sea Scouts are a co-ed youth maritime training program that develops leadership skills through hands-on training, teamwork, and adventure. The group meets most Mondays on Zoom or in person, with weekend activities on sail and power vessels.
