Learn To Sail (Public Classes)

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MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED  – CLASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Vallejo Yacht Club Invites all aspiring sailors to join our Learn To Sail Program. The program includes various levels of instruction from Dingy to Keelboat with all classes located at the Vallejo Yacht Club. All of our instructors are experienced sailors with US Sailing Association certifications. They are also members of the club who volunteer their time to help keep the cost as low as possible and are committed to introducing everyone to this exciting sport by emphasizing and encouraging fun and safety on the water.

Our fleet of training boats includes 9 Laser Pico sailing dinghies. Fast, Fun & stable, these 11′ rotomolded boats make excellent trainers for beginning to intermediate sailors. They are an excellent complement to our fleet of traditional El Toros & Hunter Club Trainers.  Intermediate sailors can advance to our fleet of 7 14′ Lasers to refine their skills.

All students must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 9 years old
• Be able to swim 50 yards and tread water
• Must bring a Type III Personal Floatation Device (PFD) to each class
• Should bring a change of cloths. Expect to get wet!
• Sunscreen, Sunglasses, and Kneepads are helpful
• Able to bring an enthusiastic attitude to classes!

Beginning Sailing

A 6 class introduction to sailing for those with little or no small boat sailing experience. Taught in 8′ El Toro and Pico dinghy’s (w/o jib), the class covers rigging, parts of the boat, basic boat handling and seamanship, points of sail, capsize recovery, Safety, Knots, Weather, “Rules-of-the-Road” and Tides & Currents. Emphasis is towards “On-the-Water” experience practicing within the protected VYC harbor. As students acquire skills, they will progress to practicing outside the harbor. A graduate should gain all the skills necessary to confidently and safely continue their sailing experience, either on their own or in advanced sailing classes.

 Intermediate Sailing

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Beginning Sailing or proof of competence in a small sailboat.

A four class course providing a chance to “stretch your sailing legs” (literally!) You’ll advance to 1-person Lasers and 2-person FJ’s or Laser Pico’s (with jib) sailing exclusively “outside the harbor”. More focus will be placed on boat handling techniques and trim as well as advanced capsize recovery techniques. As students gain confidence they will progress to short races and learn the basic Rules of Racing. The emphasis will be on sportsmanship and fun.

Basic Small Keelboat Sailing

 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Beginning Sailing and (or) Intermediate Sailing or proof of competence in a small sailboat or VYC instructor acceptance. (special classes for beginning adults can be arranged on request – please contact our Program Director)

A four session introduction to small keelboat handling. This course is conducted almost entirely in the open waters of the Mare Is. Straits and San Pablo Bay onboard 22′ to 30′ keelboats. Each boat will have an instructor and 1-4 student crew. All open water boat handling will be done by the students. Instruction will include Rigging and Sail Handling, Advanced Sail Trim, Sail planning (course, tides, currents, weather, etc.), Anchoring, Docking, Man-Overboard-Recovery, Rules-of-the-Road and Safety. Techniques for departing a berth and docking will be demonstrated by the Instructor.

Special programs

Special Programs can be arranged on request to meet your special needs. Classes can be offered on weekdays or evenings. For example: Learn-to-Sail is an excellent “Team Building” program for small office groups. Schedule and fees can be negotiated on an individual case basis and will depend on instructor availability – please contact our Program Director.

Continuing the Experience…

 At the completion of the Summer Junior Sailing Program members can maintain their Junior status at VYC for a membership fee of $10.00 a month. El Toro’s & Pico’s can be rented for a fee of $8.00 a day, with hours as set by the Junior Sailing Director. Hours available will be dependent upon having adequate adult supervision available.

2010 Fee & Schedule

Beginning Sailing

$125/student  ($100/student when 2 or more from same family)

Session 1 – May 15^th – June 26^th (No Class Memorial Weekend)
Session 2 – July 10^th – August 14^th

Intermediate Sailing

$100/Student

Session 1 – June 5^th - June 26^th

Session 2 – July 24^th – August 14^th

^{Additional sessions available immediately by appointment}

Basic Small Keelboat Sailing

$400/New Student
( $350/Returning Student; or, $300 / Returning Student, paid in advance )

Call for schedule

Requirements

• Be at least 9 years old
• Be able to swim 50 yards & tread water

Download the Application Form

For information and questions, please contact the Vallejo Yacht Club at 707-643-1254, the Program Director at 707-280-3365 or the Assistant Program Director at 707-477-2187.