Lil’ Luffers

This three-day course is the perfect way for your little one to get their first taste of sailing.  Students will meet on Tuesday-Thursday from 6 pm to 8 pm. Parents are asked to stick around and experience this course with their little ones. During this course, you and your child will learn how to rig an OPTI, steer the boat around the bay, and take a cruise down the river on the last day of class in a 22’ Keelboat. 

This course is for ages 5-7.
Prerequisite: None!

Opti Explorer

This is the place to start your child’s love of sailing. Sailed around the world, the Opti is the go-to class for junior sailors.  Sailors will learn on-the-water safety, rigging, steering, knots, and more! The end of the week goal is for your student to have a basic understanding of the mechanics of driving and sailing a boat. Each four-day session is designed to get your child comfortable and confident in an Opti.  This course can be taken multiple times.  Each week your sailor builds upon the fundamentals of sailing. 

Ages 7 – 13 (under 120 lbs)
Prerequisite: None!
Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Opti Advanced

Opti Advanced sailors are students who have taken a week or two of the Opti Explorer sessions and have shown advanced sailing ability. The Opti Advanced session is for students who are not yet ready for racing but would like to continue working on more advanced skills and techniques. Sailors will continue to work on points of sail and boat control. There will also be more advanced topics introduced like spinnaker sailing, reading the wind/weather, and other more advanced boat handling techniques.

Prerequisite: 1-2 weeks of OPTI Explorer
Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Opti Racer

The Racing Optimist class is an exciting opportunity to fully experience the challenge of sailing at a higher level. Designed for students who who have shown their ability to sail at a high level in the Opti Explorer or Advanced courses. The OPTI racers will develop racing concepts including starts, upwind and downwind sailing, as well as boat trim for speed, racing rules, strategy, tactics, and more. US Sailing Certified instructors lead students in drills, practice races, and adventure downriver. The class meets Monday – Friday from 9:00-3:30 for two weeks.

On select Fridays, the Opti Racers are encouraged to compete in local TCYS regattas. These regattas are held around the metro area. There is a $20 registration fee for each regatta.

Prerequisite: 1-2 weeks of OPTI Explorer (and instructor approval) or Opti Advanced.