Youth Learn to Sail: Opti Level 1

NEW FOR 2024! Opti Level 1 is an engaging introductory program that teaches the basics of sailing in an enjoyable and safe environment. Using interactive lessons, sailing-themed games, and plenty of on-water time, sailors in this program will gain confidence and have fun as they master the art of handling a boat. These new sailors will learn the parts of the boat, proper rigging, and points of sail, alongside opportunities to practice steering, working the mainsheet and tiller, and demonstrating wind awareness as they sail around Port Townsend Bay. 

On “capsize day,” kids learn in a controlled setting that they are capable of capsizing their boat and getting it upright again. Prior to the capsize drill, students will participate in a water comfort assessment to gauge their overall comfort and the ability to stay calm in the water. This will include entering the water while wearing a wetsuit and a lifejacket, briefly treading water, swimming a minimum of 20 feet, and exiting the water.

This class is repeatable to help your student further develop their skills! 

To ensure comfort and control in their boat, sailors under 5 feet tall and under 110 lbs should take this class. If your child is taller or will be by the summer, check out our Doublehanded classes in C420s and FJs! If you’re unsure which class suits your child best, please call our registrar at 360-385-3628 x1.

Course Details:
July 8-12, July 22-26, August 5-9, August 19-23
9 AM–3 PM | Cost: $450 non-member, $405 member

• Prerequisites: None
• For Ages: 8–12. Our Opti classes are best suited for sailors under 5 feet tall and under 110 lbs.
• Duration: 6 hours daily, Monday–Friday
• Class Size: 4–12 students, 4 instructors
• What to bring each day:
  • Snack, lunch, and a water bottle
  • Sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
  • Rain jacket
  • Towel and change of clothes
  • Water-friendly shoes or sandals (no flip-flops please, sneakers are not ideal)
  • On capsize day, have your child arrive wearing their swimsuit. If they own a wetsuit, please bring it. If not, instructors will issue wetsuits.
  • Optional: a mask, for the short time each day that your child will be inside.
• Notes: One week before class you’ll receive a welcome letter from our Registrar

Note to prior Youth Learn to Sail participants: If you’ve been part of our Youth Learn to Sail classes before, we’ve made some changes! Instead of calling them Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, we now have Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 classes. If your child has completed our “Beginner Sailing” camp in the past, they are eligible to register for either “Opti Levels 2 & 3” or “Doublehanded Levels 2 & 3” camps. Which camp they should join depends on their age and size. You can find more details about the specific ages and sizes for each camp in the class information.