Junior Week

Junior Week, June 20-24, is for Juniors age 6 to 17 and consists of five days of sailing instruction classes: Beginning Opti, Intermediate Opti, Racing Opti, Racing 420/Laser, and Group Sailing (for teens who wish to sail with crew). Junior Week is a great way for Juniors to kick-off their sailing season, with lots of on- and off-the-water instruction, hanging with their friends and spending time with their parents. Kids completing Opti Kids who want to continue their training may participate in Beginning Opti.

A parent or guardian must be on site during the program. Coaches for Junior Week will include two professional coaches: Alejandro Cloos (420/Lasers) and Diego Revecca (Racing Optimist).  Our own Cori Radtke will coach the Intermediate Opti class, and volunteer coaches will assist with all classes.  Every junior sailor should participate in Junior Week, our premier sail training program for children ages 6-17, consisting of five days of sailing instruction and other fun, such as swimming, ice cream, movies, DJ night and enjoying the company of fellow Junior sailors. The class choices are as follows:

• Beginning Opti - Sailors age 6-10 with limited experience sail doublehanded and learn basic boat-handling skills with close supervision in Club Optis.
• Intermediate Opti - Sailors ages 8-11with some boat handling and sailing experience sail singlehanded learn more about boat setup, sail trim, boat-handling and racing within a closely supervised group.  Sailors must bring and use their own Opti.
• Group Sailing - Sailors age 12 and over, who ideally have completed Intermediate Optimist class, sail with friends in loaned boats, such as J-24's, learning boat setup, sail trim, and boat handling, with an emphasis on sailing to destinations. Although we strive to accommodate demand for this class, enrollment is limited by the number of boats available to the program.
• Racing Opti - Sailors ages 10 and up who have completed Intermediate Opti or have equivalent experience learn starting techniques, sail trim, boat speed, and basic racing strategy in preparation for regattas.  Sailors must bring and use their own Opti.
• Racing Laser/420 Class - Sailors ages 10 and up who have outgrown Optimists and are ready for singlehanded racing in Lasers or Laser Radials or for doublehanded racing in Club 420s learn starting techniques, sail trim, boat speed, and basic racing strategy in preparation for regattas.  Laser sailors must have their own Lasers.

Note to Parents

Parents are encouraged to seek guidance from the Junior Division staff in selecting the class that is best suited to their child. FBYC has taken care to develop a program that fills the needs of a wide range of ages and skill levels. It is important that parents work with staff to properly place their children in the most appropriate class to avoid frustration on the part of the child and disruption to the class. If you are uncertain of your child's skill level or have concerns about their progress at any point in the program, please ask for an assessment by our coaches so that adjustments can be made to ensure that your child's introduction to sailing a positive experience. You should not register your child for a class beyond the child's abilities in order for your child to be with a friend or sibling, and the program leaders and coaches will counsel you against that mistake.

Please note that Housing will again be available at Christchurch School during Junior Week. Please see Housing

Daily Schedule

More details will be provided in the enrollment package sent to registrants, but note that Junior Week classes are from 9:00 AM to Noon, and from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Parents or guardians must provide lunch for their children, as well as supervision during the lunch hour. Junior Week officially ends at noon on Friday.

Boats

Junior Week is a popular program, and FBYC does not always have sufficient boats to meet demand. FBYC now has an on-line method to either buy, sell, rent or borrow a boat. See Classified Ads.

After Junior Week

Following Junior Week, there are several excellent options for continued learning and sailing during the summer:

• Opti Development Team
• Race Teams
• Regattas

Parents and juniors interested in participating or helping with Junior Week or who would like additional information should contact Chris Rouzie at chris.rouzie@thalhimer.com 757-596-2897.