About
RYC Youth Programs offers Guppies for ages 6-8, Beginners for ages 8-13, Young Advanced for ages 9-12, Intermediate Adventure for ages 11-15, and Advanced Teen for ages 13-17. The program also includes Junior Program Winter Sailing for ages 8-18, High School Sailing, RYC Youth Racing Team, and RYC Summer Sailing. Classes are taught in Optimists, El Toros, Lasers, FJs/420s, and J22s, and students usually bring their own boats to class.
Programs
- Guppies — 6-8 · Half Day option available for 6-7-year-old sailors. Focuses on water comfort, basic boat awareness, and building confidence around sailboats.
- Beginners — 8-13
- Intermediate Adventure — 11-15 · Next step for sailors who have mastered the basics. Introduces longer distance sails and exploring new parts of the Bay.
- Young Advanced — 9-12 · Designed for young sailors ready to refine skills and sail with more control, efficiency, and confidence.
- Advanced Teen — 13-17 · Designed for older sailors ready for a more challenging, independent experience. The source text is truncated after describing advanced boat handling.
- Junior Program Winter Sailing — 8-18 · Sundays from October to March · Award-winning junior sailing program teaching sailing skills, seamanship, and sportsmanship.
- High School Sailing — Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4:00pm-7:00pm; Fall season runs from September to November · For students who already know the basics of sailing and want to join their school's sailing team. Focuses on sailing FJs and includes weekend regattas.
- RYC Youth Racing Team — Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00pm-7:00pm; Fall season starts September 22 and runs through November 12 · For sailors with prior RS Tera, RS Feva, or C420 experience. Focuses on learning racing skills for local area youth events.
- RYC Summer Sailing — Summer Program: Drop off at 9:00am; Pick up at 3:00pm. Race Camp: Drop off at 9:00am; Pick up at 3:00pm. · $980 · Scholarships are available through RYC or the RYC Foundation. Water comfort check required.
At a glance
- Ages: 6–18 years old
- Price range: $980
- Current session: Junior Program Winter Sailing (Oct 1–Mar 31, 2027); High School Sailing (Sep 2–Nov 12, 2026); RYC Youth Racing Team (Sep 22–Nov 12, 2026)
About the provider
RYC began its Junior Program in 1952. The RYC Youth Programs build fleets of young sailors ages 8-18 using current and effective curriculum, with focus on sailing skills, seamanship, sportsmanship, lifelong boating skills, self-confidence, respect towards others, and caring for equipment. The program relies on volunteers to keep costs reasonable, and RYC hosts regattas and other racing events.
A participation fee is required for High School Sailing. Sailors cover their own travel expenses for away regattas. The RYC program is designed to be accessible to a wide range of students.
Last updated August 29, 2026.
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