HYC YOUTH SAILING

 I:       HYC JUNIOR MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the HYC Junior Program is to teach young people sailing and seamanship in a safe, fun and structured environment.  HYC Juniors will demonstrate respect for others, care for the equipment and always be willing to lend a helping hand to others on and off the water.  The goal is to create skilled and confident young people who will be a lifelong credit to the Hampton Yacht Club and their community.

 In Addition, The HYC Junior Program strives to:

  O     Interest and lead juniors in developing safe sailing skills. 

  O           Promote maximum attendance at all junior activities, events and local regattas.

   O           Conduct and further develop our year-round sailing program.

   O           Develop curriculum that promotes self-esteem, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.

   O           Encourage parental involvement for the various activities of the  HYC Junior Program.

II.  HYC JUNIOR SAILING SUMMER CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

 Optimist Level 1 – an entry-level class, which introduces the sailor to basic seamanship, including rigging, rowing and sailing.  This class is the foundation for all consecutive classes. The critical skills taught in this class will be of value not only in training your sailor, but will provide skills for lifelong boating activities. Boat – Optimist

 Optimist Level 2 – This class builds on skills, taught in Optimist I.  The class introduces the concepts of racing, and encourages the junior sailor to compete in local competitions.       Boat – Optimist

 Optimist Level 3 – this class builds on the skills learned in Optimist 1 and 2.  It emphasizes proper seamanship, implementation of racing rules, and racing. The junior sailor is encouraged to compete in all local competitions as well as competitions which require travel.  Boat – Optimist

 420 Level 1 – This class is for older or larger beginning junior sailors.  It introduces the novice to basic seamanship, including rigging, sailing terminology, and sailing.  Boat - 420

 420 Level  2  – This class builds on the skills learned in learned in Optimist Levels 1, 2, and 3, and in some cases, 420 Level 1. It emphasizes proper seamanship, racing and racing rules.  The junior sailor is encouraged to compete in all local competitions as well as competitions which require travel.  Boat –420

 Note:  CLASS PLACEMENT & ADVANCEMENT will be determined by the Head Instructor and may change due to skill levels. (Height and weight will be considered in class placement.)

 Training successful junior sailors is a major goal of our junior program.  We believe that in order to train successful sailors, junior sailors should train in an Optimist as long possible. Please help us with that goal by encouraging your child to sail an Optimist.  The Optimist is not only the largest sailing class in the world; it is the most competitive class for age 15 and below. 

  III:       PROGRAMS  

The Hampton Yacht Club offers approximately 9 months of youth sailing as detailed below:

(All dates are subject to change.) 

 IV:       HAMPTON YACHT CLUB Junior Sailing History

At the 1949 HYC annual meeting, the Board of Directors created a youth sailing program.  The first year of the Jr. Program was held during the summer of 1950.  Since then, the Hampton Yacht Club has fielded many fine teams of young sailors winning many Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association junior club championships.  The first junior program building, the “Junior Shack”, was located on the current site of the Yacht Club.  A new building was constructed in 1975 and in 1997 was named in memory of long time racer, committee chair and junior supporter Tom Brady.  Outstanding junior members have become members of the US Sailing Team, gone on to compete in the Olympic trials, coach championship collegiate teams, qualify for US Bemis, Sears & Youth National Junior Championships, qualified for the North American & National Optimist Teams and have won numerous national sailing honors.  Many adult HYC members have come from the ranks of our outstanding Junior Program.  In 2000, the Jr. Program celebrated its 50th anniversary.  Now, junior sailing at HYC is practically a year round program (March thru November).