St. Francis Yacht Club Youth Sailing

St. Francis Yacht Club Youth Sailing offers Youth Sailing for ages 8 to 18, along with Cityfront Summer Camp, Tinsley Island Summer Camp, Beginner Sailing, Learn to Race, Intermediate C420, Race Clinics, J/22 Keelboat Sailing, Friday Single Handed Sailing, Wingfoiling Classes, and Wingfoil Training Squad. The program uses RS Teras, RS Fevas, CFJs, RS Quests, Lasers, Windsurfers, C420s, and J/22s, and the Club says the boats are provided and maintained by the Club.

Programs

• Youth Sailing — 8-18 · Year-round; summer sailing camps
• Cityfront Summer Camp — Beginner and intermediate level sailors · Summer
• Tinsley Island Summer Camp — Beginner and intermediate sailors · Summer · Sleepaway sailing camp on StFYC's private island in the Delta. Camp activities and games include kayaking, paddleboarding, games and pool time.
• Beginner Sailing — Younger sailors · Learn to sail and build confidence. Beginning classes cover rigging, points of sail, capsizing, tacking, gybing and safety.
• Learn to Race — Covers sail trim, weight placement, tactics, starting and the Racing Rules of Sailing with a goal of readying young sailors to compete in local regattas.
• Intermediate C420 — Sailors learn to trapeze and fly a spinnaker in the C420 and build skills in teamwork, boat setup and tuning.
• Race Clinics — Three-day clinics · Organized to help junior race team members tune up for National and North American Championships, or the next regatta.
• J/22 Keelboat Sailing — Learn the basics of sailing a keelboat, including skippering, trimming, mast position and bow in StFYC's four-person J/22s.
• Friday Single Handed Sailing — Weekly on Friday · Intermediate level sailors sail RS Teras and Lasers for more practice and supervised time on the water.
• Wingfoiling Classes — Learn the basics or advance skills in wingfoiling on San Francisco Bay.
• Wingfoil Training Squad — 12-18 years · Two 8-day training blocks starting in May; daily sessions begin at 3:45 PM · $600–$800

At a glance

• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Price range: $600–$800
• General schedule: Year-round youth sailing and summer camps; youth sailing opportunities are offered year-round.

About the provider

The program’s mission statement is: “Creating the next generation: Skill, Sportsmanship, Stewardship and Character.” It is open to members and non-members, and the Junior Committee promotes yachting as a sport among the Club’s junior members and among non-member youth who participate in StFYC junior sailing programs.

You do not have to be a St. Francis Yacht Club member for your child to participate. Helmets are required for all Junior Sailing Classes at St. Francis Yacht Club. The Club has limited numbers of life jackets and wetsuits available on a first come first serve basis. The summer camp packing list includes dinghy boots or other close-toed water shoes, a labeled water bottle, sunscreen, a Coast Guard Approved Type III Life Jacket, a wetsuit, a sailing specific helmet, hat or visor, sunglasses with lanyard, long-sleeved quick-dry shirt, spray top, dry clothes, and towel.

Last updated September 17, 2026.