USA Junior Olympics Sailing Festival - Lake Erie

hosted by Mentor Harbor Yachting Club

June 27-28, 2026

Clinic - June 27, Regatta - June 28 (I-LYA Travelers Series Counter)

Sponsorship Form (Deadline 6/21)

Since 2015, MHYC has hosted the USA Junior Olympics Sailing Festival - Lake Erie. Promoted by US Sailing, the JO is designed to ignite the passion for sailing in kids across the country. MHYC has always included a Skill Builder component, where junior sailors are matched in fleets with elite coaches from around the US. This event attracts youth sailors from PA, NY, MI, IN, OH, FL and more!

Get up close and personal with professional coaches and improve your sailing skills on land and on the water.

Professional Fleet/Clinic Coaches

2026: Patrick DeLalla (Maine Maritime Academy, c420), Opti and ILCA Coach TBA

2025 | John Vandemoer (Opti), David Thompson (USGGA, ILCA), Patrick DeLalla (Maine Maritime Academy, c420)

2024 | John Vandemoer (c420), David Thompson (USCGA, ILCA), Karl Felger (EYC, Opti)

2023 | Mitch Brindley (ODU, Opti), Tyler Colvin, (ODU, ILCA), John Vandemoer (c420)

2022 | Caroline Young (MIT, c420), Tyler Colvin (ODU, ILCA), Nick Turney (Opti)

Thank you to our 2026 SPONSORS (Sponsorship Form Here) - MORE TO COME!

National Sponsors Yeti, Polar Seltzer, Harken Derm

Gold Sponsor: Mentor Harbor Youth Sailing Association

Ice Cream Dream Team: The Allyns

The Junior Olympics Sailing Festival - Lake Erie, is open to all sailors, and the Sunday Regatta counts as an I-LYA Travelers Series regatta (Anyone can complete, places will be counted for the TS overall awards only for the I-LYA sailors).

Sailors: Full Registration Fee Includes ALL of the following

Sailing! Saturday Clinics with Elite Coaches on and off the water, including Power Talks with the Pros, where you get up close with the coaches.

Beach Toys! We will have RS Fevas, Hobie Waves, kayaks and paddleboards on West Beach to enjoy after the clinic on Saturday (weather permitting)

Official JO T-Shirt - long-sleeved, tech fabric. (additional shirts will be available for sale).

Awesome Food! Join us for lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Daily ice cream treats after sailing.

Fun and Entertainment! Families are welcome to enjoy MHYC's beautiful pool on Saturday and Sunday, and with reservations, dine at our restaurant.

Bonfire! Enjoy the annual Saturday Night Beach Bonfire party with s'mores, bring your Spikeball, frisbees, and more.

Swag! Clinic registrants receive fun swag including sailing stickers and more!

Raffle prizes! Raffle prizes will be drawn at the awards ceremony on Sunday.

If you ONLY want to participate in the Regatta, you may do so. Please enter "REGATTAONLY" for ILCA/Opti and "REGATTAONLY420" for 420 skipper/crew as the discount code.

Coach Registration Details - FREE Registration

Fine-tune your coaching and instruction skills, bring new ideas back to your race team or sail camp. During the clinic, work with the elite sailing coaches and see how they help junior sailors on and off the water. Participate in Saturday Night Coach Dinner, Daily debriefs, and Saturday Power Talks. The Private Coaches Dinner on Saturday is specifically geared for our sailing coaches and instructors to share ideas and collaborate.

Please note: Registration for the Coaching Skill-Builder Clinic is FREE. A Food writsband and t-shirt are sold separately. Reminder that Each Team is required to supply a Safety Boat with either a supervising adult or coach on the water each day (1 per 420/Laser and Opti course), and 1 "shore adult" in case of emergency, for the team. If your sailor does not have a team/coach, we will combine you with MHYC's team or another team. Please contact kathyallyn@gmail.com if you have questions.

Families/Use of MHYC Property and Grounds

MHYC invites all families to enjoy the West Beach and our swimming pool during the JO weekend.

Camping IS allowed on West Beach, with prior permission and adult supervision. Contact kathyallyn@gmail.com with requests ASAP.
All attendees can use a credit card at the MHYC restaurant and Gas Dock for the weekend.
If you plan to dine at the Club, we REQUIRE reservations for lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday - please place them by June 22. The restaurant is closed on Friday night for a Member Event. Email reservations@mhyc.us. There are lots of local family-friendly restaurants if you are coming in early BJ's Brewhouse, Condado in Mentor, Wild Goose, Barrio Tacos, Kleifelds, Sol in Willoughby. Wing Stop for takeout, and Ninja are both right around the corner.