Youth Sailing Programs
Opti Learn to Sail
The optimist is a 7'9" long single-handed sailboat. Sailors 8-13 years old and under 115lbs. Sailors are taught to sail with a partner, then independently, and once proficient in the boat can move over to our racing program, if they choose to do so. The opti is the biggest youth racing class in the world.
Beginner sailors meet two days a week, class options below:
- Afterschool Beginner Opti Wednesday & Friday 3:30p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Runs from August 28 - December 16th.
*Transportation provided upon request.
Age range: 8-14 years old
Weight Requirement: 115 lbs MAX
These entry programs do not have fees, however we do ask for donations to help offset costs
**After completion of the beginner class, sailors move into an Intermediate/Advanced Opti class, options are below.
- Afterschool Intermediate/Advanced Opti meets on Thursdays 3:30p.m. - 6:30p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Age range: 8-14 years old
Weight Requirement: Under 120 lbs
Runs from August 28 - December 16th. Transportation options upon request.
This program has a nominal fee of $300. No fee should prevent a sailor from sailing, scholarships are available upon request.
Opti Racing
After completing the Advanced Racing Class sailors can be chosen to be a part of our Shelby Racing Team or the Shelby Co-op. This is a competitive Opti Racing Program that competes in the Florida East Coast series and in other high-level regattas across the state of Florida.
- Shelby Racing Team
Fridays 3:30 - 6:30 pm, Saturdays 12:00 - 5:00 pm and Sundays 11:00am - 4:00pm
Age range: 8-15 years old
Weight Requirement: Under 120 lbs
This program has a nominal fee of $450.
No fee should prevent a sailor from sailing, scholarships are available upon request. - Shelby Racing Co-op
Pay to play $30/session by request to Coach Julia- This is for racers who only attend a few practices with the Shelby team or need coaching for regattas throughout the year. If you feel this is what your sailor should be doing, but hasn't done it before, give us a call at 772-492-3243. *Note this is not a regular program*
Adventure and Feva Sailing
This program focuses on the skills and fundamentals needed for both single and double handed sailing. These classes are offered in a fun and recreational environment, catering to beginner, intermediate and advanced sailors. This program is perfect for sailors that are interested in learning how to sail with a friend, if they're too big for the Opti, or they're not interested in joining a racing focused program at this time. Ideal age and weight for this class ranges from 8-14 years old and 100-200 pounds.
This program will use the RS Feva, pictured to the right. Adventure programs may also use the Hobies and Lasers throughout the season.
- Homeschool Beginner Feva
Mondays 11:00am - 2:00pm
* No Fee and Runs from August 28 - December 16th.
Age range: 8-14 years old
Weight Minimum: 60 lbs - Homeschool Adventure: Beginner/Intermediate
Wednesdays & Fridays 11:00am - 2:00 p.m.
Age range: 8-14 years old
No Weight Requirement - Homeschool Adventure: Intermediate/Advanced
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00am - 2:00 p.m.
Age range: 8-14 years old
No Weight Requirement
Runs from August 28 - December 16th
This program has a nominal fee of $150. No fee should prevent a sailor from sailing, scholarships are available upon request with separate form at top of page. - Afterschool Adventure - Beginner/Intermediate
Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:30p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Age range: 8-14 years old
No Weight Requirement
*No Fee and Runs from August 28 - December 16th. Transportation provided upon request.
Age range: 8-14 years old
High School and Middle School C420 Sailing
The C420 is a double handed boat that is perfect for beginners and highly competitive sailors a like. Here at YSF we offer C420 classes at 3 different levels, Beginner, Intermediate, and Varsity Racing.
Middle school and High School aged beginner sailors, who may have interest in joining the Vero Beach High School Sailing team down the road, can join our beginner 420 class. This class will teach sailors the fundamentals of sailing.
After completing the Beginner 420 class, Adventure sailing, or for sailors coming out of Advanced Opti and Racing programs, sailors can join the JV 420 Class. This class is geared towards preparing sailors for the competitive format of High School Sailing.
- Beginner 420: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30pm - 6:30pm
Age range: 12-18 years old
Weight minimum: 115 lbs
*No Fee for entry level programs- runs from August 28 - December 16th. - Intermediate/Advanced 420: Tuesday 3:30pm - 6:30pm & Saturday 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Age range: 12-18 years old
Weight Minimum: 115 lbs
*This program has a nominal fee of $300 and runs from August 28 - December 16th - Varsity/Racing 420: Wednesday & Friday 3:30 - 6:30pm and Saturday 12:00pm - 4:00pm.
Age range: 12-18 years old
Weight Minimum: 115 lbs
*This program has a nominal fee of $450 and runs from August 28 - December 16th.
No fee should prevent a sailor from sailing, scholarships are available upon request. When registering, please select pay in person to avoid fees and then complete scholarship form separately.
We also ask for donations as these nominal fees do not cover the cost of our programs.
