The Junior Sailing Program at Silver Gate Yacht Club is supported by the Silver Gate Yacht Club Foundation, a 501-C3 non-profit organization with the mission of sponsoring non-profit and charitable events and programs at the club. Silver Gate Junior Sailing invites all kids in our community to participate. Club membership is not required.
SGYC junior sailing provides a full day summer program of sailing instruction and fun at Silver Gate Yacht Club for young sailors from 8 to 18 years of age, along with the opportunity for interested sailors to participate in sailing activities year-round at SGYC. The Junior Sailing Program at Silver Gate promotes good sportsmanship, responsibility and a sense of adventure and accomplishment regardless of skill level. Sailors will learn the skills necessary for a lifetime of sailing and boating enjoyment and probably come away with some great friendships too!
We have a fleet of the exciting new O’Pen BIC and RS Feva boats as well as Naples Sabots, Capri 14 and a Hunter 216 keel boat. Use of the SGYC Jr. Sailing fleet of boats is included in the program cost so chartering is not necessary. Our coach/sailor ratio is very low – usually not more than 5 or 6 sailors per coach which ensures plenty of teaching time and attention. Click here to ‘Meet the Fleet’
DATES: Sailors can participate in any or all of the week-long classes and will receive instruction from certified sailing instructors in basic, intermediate and advanced sailing skills, navigation and seamanship. Participation in Junior racing activities in San Diego Bay is encouraged for students who wish to explore the competitive side of sailing. Boats and crew berths will be assigned to students by the instructors in accordance with their size, skill level and expressed interest. Please refer to the registration page for specific session dates.
Our Summer Program runs Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:00 p.m. Sailors will receive on-land and on-water instruction. A one hour lunch break will be provided. Sailors should bring their lunch and any snacks or preferred drinks. SGYC will have plenty of bottled water available.
COST: Session fees include the use of SGYC Jr. Sailing boats. A SGYC Jr. Sailing T-shirt is included with the registration fee. This program is open to all youth age 8 to 18, and SGYC membership is not required. Pre-registration is required – No walk-ins please. Please refer to the registration page for current fees.
CLOTHING: Each sailor should bring two sets of clothing consisting of a t-shirt, shorts or jeans, socks, light windbreaker, change of underwear and rubber-soled shoes (no sandals of flip-flops). Rubber soled diving shoes or water shoes are best for sailing. Bathing suits are acceptable in addition to the above items. All clothes must be in a labeled gym bag or backpack. Juniors are encouraged to supply their own lifejackets/personal floatation device (PFD), but SGYC has loaners available. While on the docks and on the water all sailors must wear a PFD – no exceptions.
Refer to the Parent Resource Guide available on our web site for additional helpful information.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: A completed medical consent form is required for all sailors. Additionally, each sailor new to our program is required to complete 25-yard swim verification and be able to tread water for 1 minute without a lifejacket. All on-water activities that junior sailors participate in will be accompanied by the instructors in power boats (“coach boats”) for added safety.
TRANSPORTATION: Parents of junior sailors must provide their own transportation to and from SGYC. Ample public parking is available across Shelter Island Drive from the club. Juniors are expected to leave the premises by 3:00p.m. No after-hours supervision will be provided. Juniors under the age of 16 must be met by their parents on SGYC property.
This year’s Summer Program promises to be an exciting, fun and fulfilling experience for anyone from 8 to 18 interested in sailing – and who wouldn’t love to learn sailing in a perfect location like San Diego bay!!
We look forward to seeing you this summer!!