Fall and Spring Junior Sailing

Fall and Spring High School Sailing Programs

Junior sailing is an year round activity at RYC.

During the fall and spring we offer a variety of programs for sailors ages 9-18.

All programs are open to the public. Scholarships are available through Rochester Community Boating for all programs. 
 

Untitled ACCORDION

Fall and Spring Opti Sailing

Opti Race Team for RBW and Green Fleet

RYC offers a Spring and Fall season for our Opti race team 

The Opti Race Team for Green and RBW Racers is designed for Opti racers seeking to advance their skills.

Practices are on Mondays and Fridays, 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm 

Dates and Time for Spring 2026:
April 6th-June 5th

Cost: Member $330 Non-member $440

REGISTER HERE for the Spring Season

For more information, call 585-342-5511 ex 141 or email [email protected] to speak to our Sailing Director.
 

Intro to Racing for Opti Beginners

RYC offers a Spring and Fall season for our beginner Opti sailors looking to advance their skills.


Intro to Racing for Opti Beginners will advance sailors' boat handling skills and introduce racing techniques and rules. Anyone who participated in the RYC Beginner Opti Class this summer would be the right level for this class. Sailors must be comfortable sailing an Opti solo.

Practices are on Mondays and Fridays, 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Dates and Time for Spring 2026:
April 6th-June 5th

Cost: Member $330 Non-member $440

REGISTER HERE for the Spring Season

For more information, call 585-342-5511 ex 141 or email [email protected] to speak to our Sailing Director.

High School Sailing Accordion

High School/Middle School Race Team (Grades 7th-12th)

Program Overview

This program is open to students in grades 7-12  from any school interested in sailing! There is no prior experience required, and you do not need other students from your school to participate.

Practices are Monday - Thursday, 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Spring Season goes from March 23rd to May 28th 

Cost: $490 for members 
Cost:$650 for non-members 

REGISTER HERE for the fall 2026 season. 

Currently, we have sailors from:

  • West Irondequoit
  • Allendale Columbia
  • Pittsford Schools
  • Mercy
  • McQuaid
  • Brighton
  • Hilton
For students below 7th grade, check out our Spring and Fall Opti Race Program open to ages 9-15 or Adventure Sailing Club for grades 5th and up. 



The Rochester Community Boating Foundation makes sailing accessible to the Rochester Community regardless of income, ability, or disability by providing affordable access to quality programs and events.

Click here for the Rochester Community Foundation Grant Request Form.


For more information, contact [email protected]
 

Practice and Seasons

Sailing is a spring and fall sport. The spring season runs from mid-March until the end of May, and the fall season is from September until November. 

Overview of Practice:

Our practice days are Monday through Thursday (3:30 pm to 6:30 pm). Wednesday is “Race Day,” which is followed by a team potluck dinner. All other days will consist of skill-building through a variety of drills and classroom talks.

3:15 pm- Sailors arrive at RYC, change into appropriate clothes, and store belongings.
3:30 pm- Practice starts; classroom chalk talk, sailors dress into sailing gear.
3:50 pm Sailors rig boats.
4:00 pm- All boats launch,
4:05 pm- Warm-up drill begins, skill-building drills, practice race, etc.
6:00-6:10 pm- Boats are de-rigged.
6:15-6:30 pm- Classroom debrief (some days we debrief the next day to show media)
6:30 pm- Sailors dismissed for the day. 
 

What Do Sailors Need?


What do Sailors Need?

For each practice, sailors must be prepared for a variety of conditions. Each sailor will have a cubby in our sailing center building where gear can be stored.

Every sailor needs the following items each day: 
Loaner gear is available for sailors.

  • Life Jacket
  • Watch with a countdown timer
  • Bailor
  • Cold weather gear, spray gear, wetsuit, drysuit.
  • Closed-toe shoes or dinghy boots for sailing. No crocs.


Sneakers, workout clothes. Strength training for sailing will be part of our curriculum and done based on the weather, not on a set weekly schedule.

How can parents help?

Our program would not be possible without our parent volunteers. We work to connect parents from the same school district to assist in carpools.

How can parents help?
 
  • Offering to drive sailors, the team often carpools to away regattas and practices.
  • Review the schedule with your sailor and plan availability early in the season.
  • Offer to chaperon overnight weekend events.
  • Bring a dish to share for Hungry Sailors Night on Wednesday

Expectation of Sailors

Expectation of Sailors
 
  • Punctuality: practice starts promptly at 3:30 pm and ends at 6:30/7:00 pm 
  • Safety: sailors follow all rules and act safely at all times
  • Sportsmanship on and off the water.
  • Respect for coaches, teammates
  • Respect for boats and equipment.
  • Prepared; always have appropriate gear for changing weather.
  • Committed; looking ahead to any upcoming regattas on the schedule.
  • Availability to balance responsibilities, school, and sailing takes priority.
  • Tech-free; cell phone use is limited to before and after practice. No phones on boats.

Sailors are ambassadors; on and off the waters, student sailors are positive representatives of RYC, the high school program, their teammates, and their school.