Youth Learn to Sail Programs
Our youth sailing programs are designed for ages 6 to 18 and are divided based on skill level and experience. We offer both weekend and weekday programs.
Our 6+ Weekend Beginner program is primarily for beginning sailors starting at age 6 and runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on five Saturday mornings. A parent or guardian must remain on site for the duration of the class. This program includes 15 hours of supervised instruction and sailing (over the five-weekend period).
Our 9+ Weekday Beginner program is for novice sailors starting at age 9 and runs from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. These programs include 30 hours (per week) of supervised instruction and sailing.
Our 9+ Intermediate and Advanced Weekday programs are for experienced sailors starting at age 9 and run from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. These programs include 30 hours (per week) of supervised instruction and sailing.
Our instructors are experienced dinghy sailors who have been through the rigorous US Sailing instructor course and are Level 1 instructor certified.
Beginning Sailors
These classes are for young sailors with little-to-no sailing experience. The program is designed to get young sailors familiar with the Optimist sailboat, an 8-foot single-handed pram that has been used to teach kids to sail since 1947. They will practice on land and, when comfortable, sail the boat themselves.
Students will learn the parts of the boat, how to rig and launch a boat, and some basic sailing skills. In addition, they will learn safety skills such as righting a capsized boat. Instructors will emphasize the importance of water safety and enforce rules, including proper use of their life jackets when near and on the water.
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6+ Saturday Morning Beginning Class -- 6 years old (by June 1) and a parent or guardian must be present for all 3 hours
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9+ Weekday Beginning Classes -- 9 years old (by June 1). Students may be dropped off but parents are also welcome to watch and spend the day at the lake
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Must be able to pass the 25-yard swim test
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Students attending the Saturday morning program must bring their own snack
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Students attending the weekday program must bring their own lunch
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Must bring a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket with an attached whistle, water bottle, hat with a brim or visor, close-toed shoes that can get wet, and sunscreen.
Beginners Saturday Sailing Program: 9:00AM to 12:00 PM (15 Hours)
June 14, 21, 28 and July 12 and 19, 2025
Fees: AYC Member: $175, Non-member: $400.00
Registration opens March 15, 2025
Intermediate Sailors
Intended for sailors who have taken a basic learn-to-sail class, or equivalent, the class will spend most of their time on the water in Optis, and when ready, progress to the two-person 420. Our qualified instructors will match sailors to an appropriate boat and partner.
The students will learn how to safely leave and return to the dock and to sail independently. The basics of tacking and jibing will also be covered. This group might be exposed to the basics of racing once they have mastered the above skills.
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9 – 18 Weekday Advanced Classes -- 9 years old (by June 1). Students may be dropped off but parents are also welcome to watch and spend the day at the lake
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Must have completed the Sail ATL Beginning Sailing program or have equivalent experience
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Must be able to pass the 25-yard swim test
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Sailors attending the weekday program must bring their own snacks and lunch
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Must bring a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket with an attached whistle, water bottle, hat with a brim or visor, close-toed shoes that can get wet, and sunscreen
Advanced Sailors
The Sail ATL Advanced class is open to junior sailors with demonstrated sailing experience who are ready to sail with a crew and two sails, and possibly ready to race, and might already be participating in regattas. This class is designed to help students learn how to balance weight and trim sails. Although the course itself will be noncompetitive, the basics of racing will be reinforced. The instructors will assess the knowledge and skill level of each student and place them with a partner. Students will take turns skippering and crewing and will rotate positions so that everyone is comfortable in both roles. Advanced sailors who own their own single-handed one-design dinghy will be accommodated.
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Weekday Advanced Classes -- Students may be dropped off but parents are also welcome to watch and spend the day at the lake
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Must have completed the Sail ATL Intermediate Sailing program or have equivalent experience
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Must be able to pass the 25-yard swim test
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Sailors attending the weekday program must bring their own snacks and lunch
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Must bring a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket with an attached whistle, water bottle, hat with a brim or visor, close-toed shoes that can get wet, and sunscreen