A fun way to spend the summer and skills that will last a lifetime!
Safety comes first in the Noroton Junior Sailing program. Sportsmanship, teamwork, seamanship, enthusiasm and planning ahead for sailing are emphasized in every class. Junior Sailing is one of the longest running and strongest programs at the club and runs 8 weeks through the summer. It offers all levels of sailing, from beginners to advanced racing and recreational sailing for non-racers. Boats include the Optimist, C420, ILCA, Feva and Open BIC. Noroton offers participation in its Junior Sailing Program to children of members and to children of non-members based on availability (subject to approval). Sailors need to supply their own boats, with the exception of the Intro to Double Handed class, and Adventure Sailing, which will have access to club-owned Open BICs, Ideal 18’s Sonars and Sunfish. We have a limited number of club-owned Optis available if you are interested in chartering for a morning class. We also have a limited number of Fevas available to charter for the afternoon program. Sailors must be 8 years old by December 31, 2023 to participate. Please click the register now button to sign up. You can contact our Assistant Sailing Director by email (Eautha@norotonyc.org) with any questions regarding registration.
Session 1 (4 weeks): June 19 - July 14
Session 2 (4 weeks): July 17 - August 11
Swim Tests and Boat checks:
June 16th 1:00pm - 5:00pm
June 17th 10:00am - 12:00pm
Opening Party, Pictures and Fleet meetings:
June 19th 5:15-6:00pm
Registration dates:
Member Early ($50 discount): February 1 -March 31
Member Regular: April 1 - May 31
Non-member Early ($100 discount): March 15 - March 31
Non-member Regular: April 1 - May 31
Members: Billing for members will take place through your club accounts at incremental dates closer to the start of the program.
Non-members: Please pay the full program cost and JSA fee by June 10th including a $1000 deposit in case of regatta fees, boat repairs, etc. The remaining balance of the deposit will be refunded promptly at the end of the program.
Family Dues for Members and Non-Members: In accordance with the Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound (JSA), there is an additional cost for Family Dues. The cost per family is as follows:
1 sailor: $75
2 sailors: $100
3 or more sailors: $125
Other notes: Program T-shirt included in cost. Noroton YC does not pro-rate for weeks missed.
Opti Regatta Trailer: For Racing Optis, if you are willing to tow a coach boat your sailor will be automatically allocated a spot on the trailer. Thereafter, the Noroton YC trailer will be reserved for member sailors attending regattas. Should there be an available spot for a non-member sailor, it will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 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, all boats need to be unloaded at Noroton YC within 72 hours after arrival back at the club. Boat insurance is strongly advised. Noroton YC is not liable for any damage incurred during loading/unloading or transport.
Note to All Parents: Please refrain from interrupting or distracting during class times. If you wish to inquire about your sailor's progress in the program, please wait until after class to speak with the coaches or contact the Assistant Sailing Director. We also ask that parents give the classes space while spectating, as following the class on the water can be distracting for the sailors and coaches.
Buy/Sell: If you are looking to buy or sell a JS boat, please see here.
For our older teens, Noroton offers a "Big Boat" program. This program promotes a lifelong love of the sport by launching these young sailors into the world of PHRF sailing. For 2023, Noroton YC has brought back the Beneteau Figaro 2. It is a high performance vessel for off-shore racing and trains these young sailors to work as a team. These teams compete in Long Island Sound PHRF races including the prestigious Beach Point Club and Dorade race.
The Noroton High Performance Big Boat Program is for committed sailors aged 14 – 18 years; it is not a casual afternoon program. They sail a high performance boat, with high performance coaches to become high performance sailors.
Given the limited amount of space on board, members will have first acceptance to open slots.
Registration through Junior Sailing.
Class enrollment minimum requirement: 12 sailors by 5/1/23
This class is designed for absolute beginner sailors. This class sets the foundations of safety, seamanship, and sportsmanship. Sailors must be 8 years old by December 31, 2023 to take this class. Sailors begin by sailing in pairs, then alone, depending on comfort level. Variety, fun, and skill building are the core of the curriculum. Games, both on and off the water, are important parts of this class. Participants in this class receive instruction in handling their own boats. By the end of the first week, they will know how to rig and de-rig their boats and will be sailing.
This class is designed for sailors who have successfully completed Opti 1, or an equivalent. Sailors will continue to improve their basic sailing techniques. These sailors will be learning to sail independently, building confidence by improving steering/sail control, learning to recognize their surroundings and recovering from capsizing. Sailors will begin to learn the basics of fleet racing, and will be encouraged to participate in Green Fleet regattas, if they are comfortable doing so.
Sailors in this class should know how to properly rig and maneuver their Opti in various weather conditions, and a range of 3-15 knots. Proper boat handling skills are emphasized including basic right-of-way rules, maneuverability, and sail trim for speed. Sailors will continue to work on the basics of fleet racing and will be encouraged to participate in Green and Red/White/Blue regattas, if they are comfortable doing so.
This class is an introductory class to double-handed sailing on a RS Feva. The Feva is a 12' dinghy designed for two sailors to teach kids how to sail as a team and how to sail with a mainsail, jib and asymmetrical spinnaker. This class is geared towards advanced opti sailors, teens new to sailing, sailors who have outgrown the opti but are not ready for the C420 or ILCA, and those who want to get a jump-start on double-handed skills. Instructors may pair sailors of varied experience and learning styles. With an emphasis on teamwork and fun, the class will work towards short course racing and long-term partnerships.
The JSA suggested minimum age is 12 years old by December 31, 2023 with the combined weight of the 2 person crew at 180lbs. fully dressed for sailing. Sailors who do not meet these guidelines may request approval from the Sailing Director, Head Instructor or Junior Sailing Co-Chairs. Parents may also need to sign a waiver. We have a limited number of chartered boats, and the charter fee is included in the tuition.
This class will meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings only. We need 8 sailors to register for both sessions in order to run this program. If there is significant interest, we may provide a second class on Monday and Wednesday mornings, or charter additional boats.
This class is for the sailors who are eager to compete. Sailors should know how to maneuver their Optimist in all weather conditions. Our experienced instructors will train these youngsters in racing tactics/strategies, boat handling drills, tuning techniques, and the basics of racing. Some of the sailors in this class compete throughout the season, on various levels from local to international. This group will be split into two groups to accommodate the varying levels of experience of all sailors. Sailors should be rigged by 1:30pm and de-rigged by 5:00pm.
Our C420 class is an advanced racing class focused on improving their sailing techniques as they learn the positions of skipper and crew, the use of a spinnaker and trapeze, starting strategies, tactics and boat speed. This is the boat used in Interscholastic high school and collegiate sailing around the country. JSA minimum age is 14 years old, with a combined weight of 220lbs. Sailors must have their own boat and sailing partner.
The ILCA class is designed to take one-design racing to the next step. Sailors come to this class with knowledge of racing and will improve their racing tactics and techniques through various drills and regatta opportunities. Practices will include racing tactics, starting strategies, and boat speed. Participants in this program must provide their own boat. This class is open to the following:
ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7): minimum age 12, weight 95 lbs. The smallest sail rig has a 4.7 square meter sail that provides an optimal power to crew-weight ratio for smaller sailors. The minimum age and weight have been reduced to encourage use of this rig by smaller sailors of any age, especially those who are transitioning from other boats like the Optimist.
ILCA 6 (Laser Radial): minimum age 14, weight 110 lbs.
ILCA 7 (Laser Standard): minimum age 14, weight 130 lbs.
Note: This Olympic Class Dinghy was designed by the late Bruce Kirby, a former member of Noroton YC.
This class is an introductory class to double-handed sailing on a RS Feva. The Feva is a 12' dinghy designed for two sailors to teach kids how to sail as a team and how to sail with a mainsail, jib and asymmetrical spinnaker. This class is geared towards advanced Opti sailors, teens new to sailing, sailors who have outgrown the Opti but are not ready for the C420 or ILCA, and those who want to get a jumpstart on double-handed skills. Instructors may pair sailors of varied experience and learning styles. With an emphasis on teamwork and fun, the class will work towards short course racing and long-term partnerships. The JSA suggested minimum age is 12 years old by December 31, 2023, with the combined weight of the 2-person crew at 180lbs. fully dressed for sailing. Sailors who do not meet these guidelines may request approval from the Sailing Director, Head Instructor or Junior Sailing Co-Chairs. Parents may also need to sign a waiver. We have a limited number of chartered boats, and the charter fee is included in the tuition.
Adventure Sailing is designed for those who do not have an interest in performance sailing and would like to spend their time on the water in a more relaxed environment. It is open to both beginner and experienced sailors. Participants will learn the basics of sailing, safety at sea, the environment we are surrounded by, and most importantly fun on the water! We hope to build confidence and leadership skills, and to spark a life-long passion for sailing. The boats used in this class include Ideal 18s, Open Bics, Sonars, Sunfish, powerboats, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards. Minimum age is 11 years old.