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, Open BIC, and a variety of Keelboats. 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, and Sonars. 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, 2025 to participate. Please click the register now button to sign up. You can contact our Director of Club Operations, email Molly Weiner or call/text her with any questions regarding registration.
JUNIOR SAILING SHOP | please place orders by APRIL 1ST
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Important Dates 2025 (coming soon!)
Session 1 (4 weeks): June 16th - July 11th
Session 2 (4 weeks): July 14th - August 8th
Swim Tests and Boat checks:
June 14th, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
June 15th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration dates:
Member Early: February 1 – March 31
Member Regular: April 1 – May 31
Non-member Early: March 15 – March 31
Non-member Regular: April 1 – May 31
Costs & Payments
Non-Members: Please pay the full program cost and JSA fee by TBD including a $1,000 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.
Jr. Noroton Yacht Club Policies
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.
Reservation link coming soon!
Private Lessons: We heavily encourage the use of Private Lessons - it is proven to increase skills on the water by a larger degree than a group class. Please select an instructor, the boat your sailor will be in, and the time period you are interested in. Then, you will pay a $30 facility fee that covers the club's facilities and assets. Please note that you must pay $30 per lesson. Then, the instructor you chose will reach out to you to work out schedules and their individual coaching rates. Lessons are 2hr minimum.
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 Sailing Program Manager. 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 Junior Sailing boat, please see here.
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 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.
JSA Regattas & Champs (coming soon!)
Regatta Calendars! new
Qualifying in JSA
Below is the copied relevant information from the JSA webpage.
4.1.1 Club 420, ILCA 7, ILCA 6, ILCA 4 Championship
a) Skippers who finish in the top 50% in any one of the Club 420 and ILCA 6 qualifying regattas qualify to compete in their respective Championship.
b) All sailors in the ILCA 7 who participate in any qualifying regattas and finish at least 1 race in that event qualifies for the ILCA 7 Championship.
c) All sailors in the ILCA 4 who participate in any qualifying regatta and finish at least one race in that event qualifies for the ILCA 4 Championship.
d) The following events are designated as qualifiers for the JSA Championship event, which is the Club 420, ILCA 7, ILCA 6, and ILCA 4 Championships:
- Eastern or Western Districts
- Larchmont Race Week
- JSA Race Week (at CPYC)
- Shelter Island Invitational
4.1.2 Feva Championship (revised June 2024)
a) Feva skippers qualify to compete in the Feva Championship if they compete in at least one qualifying regatta, regardless of their finish position.
b) The following events are designated as qualifiers for the RS Feva Championship:
- Eastern or Western Districts
- Larchmont Race Week
- Rye Rumble
- Shelter Island Invitational
- Huguenot Yacht Club Junior Regatta
4.1.3 Optimist Championship (revised July 2023)
The age limits are as per JSA A.1.
a) Sailors may qualify only from regattas in their program's designated area. [Note that four regattas in each JSA Area are specified as qualifiers for the Optimist Championship]
b) All sailors in the Red Fleet age group who participate in any qualifying event qualify for the Championship.
c) Sailors in the Blue Fleet age group who finish in the top 50% of competitors within their division at any qualifying event qualifies for the Championship.
d) Sailors in the White Fleet age group who finish in the top 30% of competitors within their division at any qualifying event qualifies for the Championship.
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JSA Big Boat Program
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 2024, Noroton has chartered a J109, '3 Cheers', from SUNY Maritime. It is a high-performance vessel for off-shore racing and trains these young sailors to work as a team. The teams compete in Long Island Sound PHRF regattas 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. This program is for 8 weeks only.
Given the limited amount of space on board, members will have first acceptance to open slots. Classes will be Tuesday and Friday evenings, 5:00pm - sunset.
Given the limited amount of space on board, members will have first acceptance to open slots.
*PLEASE NOTE* That Regatta Fees will be billed SEPERATELY from the Program Fees this year for this class!
Pricing
Non-Member Early: $900
Non-Member Regular: $1,000
Opti 1 9:00am - 12:30pm
Opti 2 9:00am - 12:30pm
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.
Pricing
Opti 3 9:00am - 12:30pm
Intro to Double Handed 9:00am - 12:30pm Mon/Wed & Tues/Thurs
This class is an introductory class to double-handed sailing. The class will utilize the club's RS Fevas (when available), club Ideal 18s, and the club Sonars. The class is designed for two or more sailors to learn how to sail as a team, and how to sail with a mainsail, jib, and asymmetrical/symmetrical spinnaker. This class is geared towards advanced Opti sailors, teens new to sailing, sailors who have outgrown the Opti but are not ready for c420s or ILCA, or those who want to get a jumpstart on double-handed skills. Instructors may group sailors of varied experience and learning styles. With an emphasis on teamwork and fun, the class will work towards short and long form racing, and long term partnerships. This class aims to foster double-handed and keelboat fundamentals that will help sailors decide their next step in the boating world.
There will be 2 morning classes throughout the week - a Monday & Wednesday class and a Tuesday & Thursday, with Session 1 & 2 being available, as well as the full summer.
The JSA suggests minimum age of 12 years old by December 31st, 2024. Sailors who do not meet these guidelines may request approval from the Sailing Director, Head Instructor, or Junior Sailing Co-Chairs. Parents may need to sign a waiver.
Pricing
Non-Member Early: $700 4 weeks | $1,600 8 weeks
Non-Member Regular: $800 4 weeks | $1,700 8 weeks
Advanced Opti 1:30pm - 5:00pm
This class is for the sailors who have completed Opti 3, and are eager to advance their sailing and racing techniques.
Sailors should know how to maneuver their Optimist in all weather conditions. Our experienced instructors will train the sailors in racing tactics/strategies, boat handling drills, tuning techniques, and the basics of racing. Some of the sailors in this class compete throughout the entire season, on various levels from local to international.
This year, the class will break off into 2 groups: Opti 4 and Opti 5.
Opti 4 is a lighter option in terms of racing, although kids will still do some racing and are encouraged to participate in regattas.
Opti 5 is the Opti Race Team, and the class will focus on all aspects of racing. Both groups are encouraged to participate in regattas. Sailors should be rigged by 1:30pm and de-rigged by 5:00pm.
Pricing
Non-Member Early: $2,200 1st 4 weeks only | $3,300 8 weeks
Non-Member Regular: $2,300 1st 4 weeks only | $3,400 8 weeks
c420 1:30pm - 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.
Pricing
Non-Member Early: $3,300 8 weeks
Non-Member Regular: $3,400 8 weeks
ILCA (Laser 4.7, Radial, Standard) 1:30pm - 5:00pm
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.
Pricing
Non-Member Early: $3,300 8 weeks
Non-Member Regular: $3,400 8 weeks
Advanced/Racing Feva 1:30pm - 5:00pm
With the success of the ITD Program last summer we are encouraged to see a greater interest in the Feva. We are offering an afternoon Racing Feva class that will run 5 days/week from 1:30-5:00 p.m. These sailors may participate in the JSA Feva regattas that NYC selects. NYC has 6 Fevas for this class; therefore we have a cap of 12 sailors for this class. If you have your own Feva, please contact Molly Weiner at mweiner@norotonyc.org.
The JSA suggested minimum age is 12 years old by December 31st, 2024, 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.
Pricing
Non-member: $3,900 8 weeks
Adventure Sailing 1:30pm - 5:00pm
The Adventure Sailing Program focuses less on JSA competitive sailing and more on the other aspects of sailing on Long Island Sound. Participants will sail on boats like our club Sonars, Ideal 18s, Open Bics, ect., as well as learn power boat handling and safety. Participants will also learn about the environmental aspects of the water, and weather conditions. The goal of this course is to educate our sailors and provide them with a broader understanding of our sailing environment. This course will also introduce them to sailing in larger keelboats in a non-competitive way, as there is more to sailing than racing. This class will run in one-week sessions across the 8 weeks (i.e. 8 separate sessions). Participants must be a minimum age of 10.
Pricing
Non-Member Early: $550 1 week
Non-Member Regular: $600 1 week