Junior Sailing Program Management

2025 I-LYA Junior Championships Website 

Training

Program Managers: Level 3 Head Instructor and Head Coach training courses are available,  consider additional training for yourself or your seasoned instructors. 

All persons working  directly with kids should take the US Sailing Safesport course (30 minutes) and consider First Aid/CPR for all. 

Social Media Strategy

Use your social media presence to communicate your programs and get your sailors excited for this season. 

• Post photos and videos from years past and then keep up with it throughout the season. You can assign this task to one of your instructors, and consider it a social media internship. 

• Use Facebook for parents, and please make sure your parents are following this I-LYA Junior Sailing page for updates. 

• Instagram and Snapchat is best to use for your sailors; come up with a tag and make sure they use it in their (appropriate) posts about junior sailing. 

Yachtmen's Fund Grants

Special Grant Requests: The Yachtsmen's Fund sets it's yearly budget in conjunction with the Spring I-LYA Meeting. Please reach out early with any special requests by using the Other Grant Requests form on the Grants page at yachtsmenfund.org or by emailing us at yachtsmensfund@gmail.com.

Training Grants Available: The Yachtsmen's Fund has Training Grants available to support instructor and race management training for those who plan to give back to the sport at the local level. Together we can improve boating and sailing instruction and competition in the Lake Erie region.   Apply early. Complete details available online. We would like to see every eligible instructor candidate (Level 1, 2, REACH,race management, etc.) taking advantage of this opportunity

New Program Ideas

• US Sailing Starboard Portal Update on Fall Sailing and New Program Opportunities (July 2021)

  • Using assets like your powerboats, kayaks, sailboats outside of "camp"

  • Private sailing lessons

  • Fall after-school sailing, high-school sailing

  • Kayak or SUP "tours" around your area

Safety/Air Quality Guidelines (2023)

COVID Guidelines

• • Ohio Mask Mandate - Exemption for Sports Practice (As of 5/18/21)

  • Ohio Youth Day Camp Guidelines (As of 4/18/21)

  • Program Adjustment Tips from I-LYA Clubs (6/2/20)

  • US Sailing Sample Waivers for 2020 -  Regattas and Sailing Programs (5/26/20)

  • State of Ohio: Day Camp Guidelines (Released 5/15/20) - Day camps approved to open starting 5/31

  • I-LYA Junior Council: Powerpoint Presentation on Program Changes for COVID-19 (May 12, 2020)

  • US Sailing Junior Programming Update and Guidance PDF (May 6, 2020)

  • US Sailing Junior Program 1-Hour Starboard Portal Presentation (May 6, 2020)

  • Notes from US Sailing meeting on Junior Sailing Risk Management (May 2, 2020)

  • Gowrie Guidance on Liability/Insurance Coverage RE: Covid-19 (April 22,2020)

  • Program, Race Team and Regatta Protocol Suggestions during the Covid-19 Pandemic (April 21, 2020)

Here are some other things to consider:

• You may well have to shorten weeks of camps, shift or cancel some of the weeks, totally shift things out - but plan to be flexible and willing and ready to do what it takes on refunds and alternative options. 

• Set up an agreement with your instructors and coaches with the caveat that is understood - you can’t hire them if you don’t have registration revenues. 

• Communicate with your usual campers and families - this is essential right now. Let them know if you have a date in mind for go/no-go on camps, whether it be the entire summer, or week by week, and how you will make the call.