Junior Sailing 2023

• Welcome & General Info
• 5-8 yrs
• 7-11 yrs
• 11 yrs & up
• Race Teams
• Spring
• IIT

Learn to Race Teams & Race Teams

The KYC Race Programs include Learn to Race (Opti, Laser, 420), and Race Team (Opti, Laser, 420, 29er). Regatta schedules for each team will vary from year to year but will be based on the Ontario Sailing Grand Prix Development Series (GPDS). Starting in 2017 and continuing this year, KYC will be hosting variety of guest coaches to provide on-water instruction alongside team coaches. Some of our past coaches include national coaches, world champions, and Olympians such as Robert Davis, Dannie Boyd, Chris Cook, John Curtis, Chris Cowan and Bernard Luttmer.

Opti Learn to Race

This program builds on the racing basics taught in Opti Advanced and introduces sailors into the Green Fleet Opti Regatta circuit. Coaches will focus on tactics and strategy of racing as well as preparation and sportsmanship for regattas. Sailors in this program will also have the opportunity to compete in or help run the KYC Bronze Regattas. Sailors in this program will work towards their CANSail 3 level. All sailors are encouraged to participate in both Spring and Fall Training to benefit from extended training time and more regatta opportunities.

Program Length:4 weeks
Time: Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm
Boat: Opti
Level:  CANSail 3 / 4 (see below)
Requirements: Successful completion of Opti Advanced and CANSail 2 level.
Notes:  Opti sailors are likely to take part in the Opti LTR program for two or more sessions before joining the Opti Race Team or 420 CANSail 3. Sailors will be working on their level checklist but there is a strong likelihood that they will not achieve their level during a race program as the focus is on achieving race training and experience.

Opti Race Team

Sailors on the Opti Race Team will compete in a 4-week training and regatta circuit in Championship Fleet. Possible regattas will include Fogh Boorman, Steerers, and CORK. In addition to their race training, sailors on the Race Team will learn about regattas from the RC point of view by running the KYC Bronze Regattas. Sailors in this program will work towards their CANSail 3 or 4 level. All sailors are encouraged to participate in both Spring and Fall Training to benefit from extended training time and more regatta opportunities.

Program Length: 4 weeks
Time:Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $ 2,109.64 ( $ 2,109.64 for KYC Family Members)
Please note regatta registration fees are paid separately to the host organizations; class association fees required for regatta participation are paid separately to the Canadian Optimist Dinghy Association . Race team gear will be available at an additional cost.
Boat:  Opti sailors joining the race team are highly encouraged to participate with their own boat. If you need to charter a boat please contact the club directly for pricing and availability.
Level: CANSail 3 / 4 (see below)
Requirements: Successful completion of Opti Learn to Race and CANSail 3 level. Sailors are expected to have strong sailing skills, a desire to learn some basic racing skills and should be able to competently handle their Opti in winds over 15 knots. The maximum recommended weight for this program is 115 pounds, otherwise entry into LEARN program is recommended. Sailors can participate on the Opti Race Team until they are 15 years old.
Notes: Opti sailors are likely to take part in the Opti race program for one or two sessions before joining the 420 CANSail 3 or 4 programs. Sailors will be working on their level checklist but there is a strong likelihood that they will not achieve their level during a race program as the focus is on achieving race training and experience.

420 Learn to Race

This LTR program introduces sailors to the 420 regatta circuit. Sailors will compete in regattas such as Steerer’s and Four Sisters, and will have the opportunity to compete in or help run the KYC Bronze Regattas. Based on the CANSail curriculum, sailors will work to achieve their CANSail 5 level. All sailors are encouraged to participate in both Spring and Fall Training to benefit from extended training time and more regatta opportunities.

Program Length:4 weeks
Time:Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm
Boat: 420
Level: CANSail 5
Requirements:  Successful completion of the Advanced program including CANSail 4 achievement.
Notes: Sailors will be working on their CANSail checklist but there is no guarantee that they will achieve their level at the end of the session. Sailors are likely to take part in the LTR program for two or more sessions before moving on to a Race Team or IIT Program.

Cost: $ 2,334.55 ( $ 2,334.55 for KYC Family Members)

420 Race Team

Sailors on the 420 Race Team will compete in an 4-week training and regatta circuit. Possible regattas will include Sailfest, Steerer’s, Four Sisters and CORK. In addition to their race training, sailors on the Race Team will learn about regattas from the RC point of view by running the KYC Bronze Regattas. Based on the CANSail curriculum, sailors will work towards their CANSail 6 level. All sailors are encouraged to participate in both Spring and Fall Training to benefit from extended training time and more regatta opportunities.

Program Length: 4 weeks
Time: Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm *subject to change based on weather or training schedule*
Cost: $ 2,334.55 ( $ 2,334.55 for KYC Family Members)
*regatta registration fees are paid separately to the host organizations; class association fees required for regatta participation are paid separately to class association. Race team gear will be available at an additional cost.
Boat: 420 (recommended that teams purchase their own boat for best performance)
Level: CANSail 6 (see below)
Requirements:  Successful completion of Learn to Race and CANSail 5 level.
Notes: Sailors will be working on their level 6 checklist but there is a strong likelihood that they will not achieve their level during a race program as the focus is on achieving race training and experience.  Parents are expected to attend regattas and provide supervision and support for their sailor - coaches provide on the water support only.

Laser Learn to Race

Sailors in the Laser LTR program will learn to apply their sailing and racing skills to the single-handed laser, and will be introduced to the laser regatta circuit. Possible regattas will include Steerer’s, Four Sisters and CORK, and sailors will also have the opportunity to compete in or help run the KYC Bronze Regattas. Based on the CANSail curriculum, sailors will work towards their CANSail 5 level. All sailors are encouraged to participate in both Spring and Fall Training to benefit from extended training time and more regatta opportunities.

Program Length:4 weeks
Time:Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm
Boat: bring your own Laser Radial
Level: CANSail 5
Requirements:  Successful completion of the 420 CANSail 4 program including CANSail 4 achievement.
Notes:Sailors will be working on their CANSail checklist but there is no guarantee that they will achieve their level at the end of the session. Sailors are likely to take part in the LTR program for two or more sessions before moving on to a Race Team or IIT Program.

Cost: $ 2,108.54 ( $ 2,108.54 for KYC Family Members)

Laser Race Team

Sailors on the Laser Race Team will compete in an 4-week training and regatta circuit. Possible regattas will include Sailfest, Steerer’s, Four Sisters and CORK. In addition to their race training, sailors on the Race Team will learn about regattas from the RC point of view by running the KYC Bronze Regattas. Based on the CANSail curriculum, sailors will work towards their CANSail 6 level. All sailors are encouraged to participate in both Spring and Fall Training to benefit from extended training time and more regatta opportunities.

Program Length:  4 weeks
Time: Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm *subject to change based on weather or training schedule*
Cost: $ 2,108.54 ( $ 2,108.54 for KYC Family Members)
*regatta registration fees are paid separately to the host organizations; class association fees required for regatta participation are paid separately to class association. Race team gear will be available at an additional cost.
Boat: sailors joining this race team MUST BYOB (bring your own boat).
Level: CANSail 6 (see below)
Requirements: Successful completion of Learn to Race including at least one club regatta and CANSail 5. This is a great option for Opti Race team members that want to continue in a single-handed boat.
Notes: Sailors will be working on their level 6 checklist but there is a strong likelihood that they will not achieve their level during a race program as the focus is on achieving race training and experience.  Parents are expected to attend regattas and provide supervision and support for their sailor - coaches provide on the water support only.

29er Race Team

Sailors who have successfully completed the LTR and 420 Race Team program have the opportunity to join the 29er Race Team. This team will compete in an 8-week training and regatta circuit including regattas such as Steerers, Four Sisters, 29er Canadians, and CORK. Since this is probably the first time many kids will sail skiffs, all sailors are heavily encouraged to participate in both Spring and Fall Training to benefit from extended training time and more regatta opportunities.

Program Length: 8 weeks
Time:Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm *subject to change based on weather or training schedule*
Cost: $ 4,217.06 ( $ 4,217.06 for KYC Family Members)
*regatta registration fees are paid separately to the host organizations; class association fees required for regatta participation are paid separately to class association. Race team gear will be available at an additional cost.
Boat: sailors joining this team MUST BYOB (bring your own boat).
Level: CANSail 6 (see below)
Requirements: Successful completion of Learn to Race and CANSail 5.
Notes: Sailors will be working on their level 6 checklist but there is a strong likelihood that they will not achieve their level during a race program as the focus is on achieving race training and experience.  Parents are expected to attend regattas and provide supervision and support for their sailor - coaches provide on the water support only.

Visiting sailors

We are very excited to welcome out-of-town sailors to join our Race Program. We can even help find billets for your sailor. Visiting sailors, depending on coach availability may be able to join us for a shorter amount of time. Let us know if you would like to be a visiting sailor.