Program Overview
Ram Island Yacht Club is offering four Junior Sailing program options for 2026! All program run for 8 weeks from June to August. While we have a couple of Optimists available to rent for 1st year students, participants are encouraged to bring their own boats. 2nd year and up participants will be required to have their own boats. Click the link below to see local boats available for sale.


Swim Test
Students are required to pass a swim test which will be administered during the first week of the program. The test includes swimming 25 yards without a life jacket, treading water for three minutes and then putting on their life jacket while in the water. Younger sailors can take the test with a life jacket on.

Intro to Sailing  Member: $500, Non-Member: $600
9am - 11am Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Intro to Sailing is for younger students just starting to get familiar with the sport. They will learn about sailing as well as participate in other fun, marine related activities. The focus will be on how to rig the boats and becoming more comfortable in the boats. Participants will be sailing in pairs or integrating with the Morning Opti sailors. There will also be some opportunities to sail by themselves. This program is most appropriate for ages 6-8.

Morning Opti  Member: $850, Non-Member: $1000, Coach Fee $100
9am - 12pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and regatta days

The Morning Opti program is for younger sailors who are just starting to get the hang of sailing an Opti by themselves. Students will learn sailing basics and have time on the water in their own boat. They will learn to sail upwind, downwind along with capsize and recovery drills. They will have the option to join the Junior ECSA Green Fleet and complete in local regattas.

If sailors want to compete in local regattas, they can have the option to add Regatta Coaching to the program. This is a one-time fee that covers coaching for all regattas they wish to attend. Participants will also be required to join Junior ECSA and pay the regatta entry fees for each regatta they plan to attend. Please see the ECSA Junior Sailing website for more information: https://www.juniors.ecsa.net

Afternoon Opti  Member: $950, Non-Member: $1100
1pm - 4pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and regatta days

The Afternoon Opti program is for more experiences sailors who can handle sightly windier conditions in the afternoon. Students will spend more time on the water and learn Opti racing. This program is designed more for sailors who will be participating in local regattas in the White, Red and Blue fleets.

Coaching during regattas is included in the program. Students will be required to join Junior ECSA and pay regatta fees for each regatta they plan to attend. Please see the ECSA Junior Sailing website for more information: https://www.juniors.ecsa.net

Afternoon 420  Member: $950, Non-Member: $1100
1pm - 4pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and regatta days

The Afternoon 420 program is a racing program. Students will be trained to race 420s and will be learning advanced sailing skills and racing tactics.

Coaching during regattas is included in the program. Students will be required to join Junior ECSA and pay regatta fees for each regatta they plan to attend. Please see the ECSA Junior Sailing website for more information: https://www.juniors.ecsa.net

Private Lessons  $80 / hr
YES! We offer private lessons for both kids and parents. Please contact riycjrsailing@gmail.com for more information

Junior Instructors
Older experienced sailors (12 and older) can participate as a Junior Instructor. They will be helping out with both morning and afternoon classes.  Students interested in become a Junior Instructor will have an opportunity to meet with the instructors the first week of the program.