GIYC Junior Sailing

2025 Dates, Times and Costs

Ages 8 and up

When Do We Shove Off?

Dates and Times

ONE WEEK Sessions (All Day 9am-3:00pm)

Session 1: July 21 — July 25.

Session 2: July 28 — August 1.

Session 3: August 4 — August 8.

Session 4: August 11 — August 15.

All Sessions will be held on Monday through Thursday each week with a weather make up day on Fridays if necessary.

Cost per Session

Learn to Sail

$300 for Child or Grandchild of GIYC Members

$350 for General Public

Paying by credit card will have an additional processing fee. Paying by ACH or GIYC Member Account will not incur an additional fee.

Refund Policy -

Full Refunds for withdrawal are available up to 1 week prior to the beginning of a session. After that time a refund will only be issued if a vacancy is filled by another student on the wait list

Per the Handbook, students removed from a session for disciplinary reasons will not receive a refund

There will be no refunds for weather related cancellations

Step #1

Read this website and our Parent Handbook about our Junior Programs

Step #2

Register here

If the class you would like to register for is full, please sign up for the Waitlist. We will do our best to add classes depending on interest. You will not be charged for being on the waitlist until you are registered for the class.

Registration is open for 2025

See you on the water this Summer!

*** If your class is full, please sign up for the waitlist. Class sizes will be adjusted based on registrations and waitlist requests. ***

Parent Handbook

2024 GIYC Junior Sailing Handbook.pdf

Dear Parents and Sailors,

Thank you for your interest in the Grosse Ile Sailing School. Our commitment to you is to provide a safe environment for sailors to learn the essential elements of boat handling, seamanship, water safety skills and racing. At the same time, our school is a place for kids to have fun on the water.

Classes are open to ages 8-18 of any size. We have all-day sessions and half-day sessions. We are hoping to get as many kids on the water as possible.

As always, we structure different levels of the program to appeal to sailors of all ages and skill levels as they grow in their interests and abilities. It is the objective of the program to help children acquire the skills and the desire to become active members of a larger boating community.

Our program strives to teach respect for self, others and the environment through on and off the water activities. The sport presents kids with a whole new set of challenges, some of which are easily accomplished, others which take persistence, grit, teamwork and practice to attain. The pride our sailors feel when their sails fill and their boat moves through the water under their own control is something they don’t easily forget. We are grateful for the opportunity to share the love of our sport with each of you and your kids and look forward to another great summer!

If you are interested in finding out more about the junior sailing program at GIYC, please email us at jrsailing@giyc.com.

Junior Sailing Chair

jrsailing@giyc.com

29677 East River Rd.

Grosse Ile, MI 48138

GIYC Phone: 734-676-0211

Boats We Sail

All youth instruction is conducted in Optimists, Club420s, and ILCA/Laser dinghies. These three types of sailboats represent the standard for Junior/ Youth sailing in the United States and are suited to all ages (8-18), abilities and sizes.

Optimist

Club 420

ILCA Dinghy/Laser

The Optimist is the largest junior racing fleet in the world and is the international standard in junior instruction. The boats simplicity and stability make it ideal for teaching young beginners. The Sail Cube is a more durable Roto-molded version used for training

The Club 420 is the most popular and versatile double-handed junior boat in North America. The 420 is sturdy and safe while providing the challenge of having a spinnaker and trapeze. The boat is best suited for sailors 12-18 years of age and over 100 pounds.

The ILCA Dinghy/Laser is one of the largest classes of sailboat ever produced. It is a simply rigged boat that is challenging enough to be used in the Olympics.

Programs, Requirements, Instructors, Parental Involvement

Beginner Learn To Sail Curriculum

This is a beginning class for kids who have never sailed before or are not interested in US Sailing certification. We try to keep things as fun as possible by mixing learning with sailing games both on and off the water. Classes are self paced and each sailor is allowed to progress at their own pace.

Topics Covered

Wind Direction Sailing Terminology Rigging/Unrigging Knots/Lines Rules of the Road Departure/Landing Steering Points of Sail Capsize/Recovery Tacking/Jibing Upwind Sailing Getting out of Irons Boat Washing Having Fun!

420 Level Basic Class Approaching a Mark

For Children under 100 lbs up to 130 lbs

Children this size will learn in an Optimist Sailboat and the Opti Beginner program is designed to introduce younger children to sailing. Children who have reached the age of eight before the start of the class and who are capable of functioning within a group will be admitted. Children will be introduced to basic sailing skills and terminology in a fun and safe environment. Sailors may be paired up with another student in their boat.

For Children at least 100lbs

Older Children will often fit better into a club 420 sailboat GIYC Our basic curriculum covers terminology, knots, water safety, rigging, launching and docking a boat, the points of sail, sailing around a triangular course, and basic sailing rules. Students progress at their own rate to achieve competency before progressing to the Intermediate level.

Intermediate Learn to Sail Curriculum

This class is for sailors who have prior sailing experience and who have demonstrated the skills required for US Sailing Beginner Small Boat Sailor. The course offers new horizons and expansion of skills through basic racing and cruising training. This curriculum offers a more extensive study and practice in sailing skills, including sail adjustment, boat handling and trim, racing, racing rules and tactics, and water safety.

Proper Sail Trim Proper Boat Trim Roll Tacking Sailing in Heavy Air Racing Rules Boat Maintenance Stopping and Starting Having More Fun!

Requirements for Participation

Participants Must:

Complete a swim check administered the first day of every session. Sailors will not be allowed to participate in on the water activities until they have completed the swim check. Sailors must complete a capsize recovery once taught by the instructors. This will involve each sailor capsizing a boat and righting it. If a double handed boat, each sailor will do both positions.

Parents and Guardians Must:

Read and acknowledge the 2020 Handbook, complete and sign the medical forms, liability release and have paid in full by the first day of the session. No one will be allowed to participate without these forms on file and full payment. Parents must provide their sailor with the proper personal equipment necessary for sailing activities and maintain privately owned boats in safe operating condition.

Instructors

A team of carefully selected instructors will lead every class offered by GIYC. Your child will meet his/her respective instructor(s) on the first day of class. They can expect to be taught by the same instructors throughout the duration of their time with the program.

Instructors are dedicated and passionate sailors whose main goals are to keep students engaged and learning

Parental Involvement

Parental involvement is critical to the success of our program.

Please contact use if you are interested in helping out. jrsailing@giyc.com

Thank you to the Associated Yacht Clubs for their sponsorship of the Carson Cup Regatta. Junior sailors and their parents from around the area enjoyed a great day on racing in Western Lake Erie.

Click Here for 2022 AYC Carson Cup Results

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