Optikids

OptiKids, for young beginners age 6 to 8, consists of 4 sessions, either mornings or afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays, over two consecutive weekends: June 12-13 and June 19-20, 2010.  Children will join their friends and parents in on-shore classroom sessions followed by on-water training to learn basic boat handling including:

• boat set up and launch
• finding the wind
• righting a capsized boat
• steering the boat
• sail trim
• balance, and
• avoiding the "no go zone."

The course also teaches on the water safety specific to sailing such as "tiller towards trouble", capsizing, and towing back to shore. OptiKid sailors will be paired in boats during the on-water instruction.  Sailors who complete OptiKids should have a general understanding of the basic principles of sailing and the basic skills required for success in the Beginning Opti class at Junior Week.  Over the years, OptiKids has been a gateway for hundreds of children to a lifetime of sailing enjoyment.

At least one parent will be required to join the kids and instructors in waist-deep water for the on-water instruction. The class offers adults a great opportunity to become familiar with the Optimist dinghy and to spend fun time on and in the water with their children. Parents or guardians registering on-line will be asked to select Beginning OptiKids or Advanced OptiKids. Advanced OptiKids, for second-year or older sailors, meets in the morning; Beginning OptiKids, for first-time sailors, meets in the afternoon.  FBYC will provide up to 8 boats for this program (maximum of 16 kids per class).  Early registration is encouraged to reserve a space.  When the maximum number is reached for each class, aspiring participants may request to be "waitlisted" for a space.

• Advanced OptiKid Class - meets on Saturday and Sunday mornings on two successive weekends and is geared for beginners with some previous experience.
• Beginner OptiKid Class - meets on Saturday and Sunday afternoons on two successive weekends and is geared for first-time beginners.

For additional information, contact Chris Rouzie: (757-596-2897) chris.rouzie@thalhimer.com 

NOTE at 3/16/2010 FBYC's Opti Kids and Junior Program have experienced a record number of early registrations this year, including early registrations from non-members. As a result, Opti- Kids and Intermediate Opti or Racing Opti classes of Junior Week are now closed. Non-member registrations are subject to final confirmation after April 20, depending on member registrations. If you are an FBYC member and still wish to register for Opti Kids or the Intermediate Opti or Racing Opti classes, please contact Alison Lennarz at avlennarz@gmail.com as soon as possible, but in no event later than April 20, 2010. Opti Kids and Junior Week each have finite capacity, and space in either program cannot be guaranteed to any member at any time. Class slots are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis, with members having a priority before April 20. Registration and Payment Deadlines - Registration and payment for Opti-Kids, Junior Week, Development Race Team, and Race Team Extended can be made on-line (much preferred!) or using paper forms available from Alison Lennarz. The prices shown are for Members who register and pay by the deadline of April 21, 2010. Preference for registration (as for the use of club owned boats) is given based on the date the Junior registers and pays. Prices are higher for non-Members. After April 21, the prices are generally raised about $50 from the prices stated on the Junior Pages. Non-Member Notice - The FBYC on-line registration system allows Non-Members to register for our events, and we welcome Non-Members. However, with respect to Opti-Kids, and Junior Week, any non-member registrations are only finally confirmed when accepted by Alison Lennarz, even though a Non-Member might have paid the Non-Member price and received and automatic email confirmation. With respect to Opti Development Team and Opti and Laser Race Team, where we do not even offer a Non-Member price, any non-member registrations are only finally confirmed when accepted by Jay Buhl, with whatever additional payment is charges, even though a Non-Member might have paid the Member price and received and automatic email confirmation. Non-Payment Notice - After deadline of April 21, the registrations of those who have registered but not paid will be notified that their registrations have deleted. If they wish to attend one of the programs, they will need to re-register and they will be subject to the higher prices in effect after the deadline.