The morning Opti program provides a great opportunity for young children to learn to sail. There are three groups which flow in sequence: Snappers, Barracudas, and Dorados. Children begin in the Snappers group and are welcome to repeat any group if they are unsure about proceeding to the next level or simply not quite ready. At the end of the first week of the program, instructors may place sailors in a different group to ensure they are in a group that best matches their needs and ability. Comfort-level and confidence are integral parts of having fun on the water!
Schedule: All Morning Opti Classes meet Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: Morning Opti sailors must turn at least 8 years old by December 31 of the calendar year.
Required Gear: Every child registered for an Opti program is required to provide an Opti to sail in, a USCG approved lifejacket, and all necessary gear. Click Here for a JSA gear list with recommended vendors such as Landfall Navigation and/or Boat Locker. You can buy, rent, or borrow your Opti - just be sure that your child has one!
Morning Opti Class Descriptions
Snappers
1st year Opti sailor
Meeting Place: Inside Jr. Clubhouse, Upstairs
The Snapper class is a gentle introduction to sailing for 1st year sailors. Snappers will learn to sail over the course of the summer and also participate in fun on-land activities. Land activities will include learning knots, participating in relay races, and swimming. Our goal is that by the end of the summer, children will be able to rig their boats, feel comfortable sailing on their own, and perhaps even sail in our Green Fleet Monkey Cup.
Barracudas
2nd year Opti Sailor
Meeting Place: Inside Jr. Clubhouse, Downstairs
This class is designed for the sailor who has at least one year of sailing experience. This class is for sailors who enjoy cruising and exploring the harbor with friends, while refining their skills on simple race courses. Some sailors choose to repeat this class to solidify their skills. Green and White Fleet regattas are available for some sailors at this level. Daily chalk talks and debriefs about the day’s sailing and activities will be held.
Dorados
3rd year Opti Sailor
Meeting Place: Rigged & Ready at dock by 9:00am
This class is for sailors who have at least two years of sailing experience and are comfortable racing. Sailors in this class typically participate in Green or White Fleet regattas. The class will have all of the fun elements of cruising, but by the end of the summer the sailor will feel confident graduating to the afternoon Opti programs. Chalk talks and debriefs will occur daily.
