2024 SUMMER SAILING REGISTRATION will OPEN in the SPRING
Summer is right around the corner and the best place to have your kids spend their summer is on the water, learning valuable life lessons and building self confidence. Our programs are open to EVERYONE and we welcome youth ages 5 – 18. We will continue to run our popular Guppy Program and Beginner Sailing along with FULL DAY – Adventure Sail. Adventure Sail is great for Beginners who want to learn more through longer sails, but does require minimum of 1 year of experience. We will also run an Advanced Sailing class to help prep sailors for summer events and get their skills fine-tuned. Not sure what program is the right fit for your child, give us a call and we can help you!
This summer Charleston Community Sailing will continue to partner with the Charleston Yacht Club to run the biggest Junior Sail Program in town. Our fleet consists of 3 – J24s, 10 – Optimists, 4 – Open Bics, 3 – Lasers, 13 – Vanguard 420s and 6 Stand Up Paddleboards.
The Executive Director and the Board have been working hard to ensure that Charleston Community Sailing provides a safe, fun and rewarding experience for all young sailors whether they are first time students, a returning “veteran”, or an experienced racer looking to compete at the highest levels. We look forward to seeing you out on the water!
Guppy Classes
Ages 5 – 7
Never too young to sail! This program is designed to help young children become more comfortable around the water and on boats, while using arts & crafts. Students will participate in the basic learning activities and games with a focus on building confidence, safety, and fun. They will also get the opportunity to sail with an instructor. The focus of the class is to make students comfortable on the water while they color, paste, and swim/sail their way into a week of fun!
Beginner Sailing
Ages 8 – 17
The objective of the beginner class is to familiarize students with the basics of sailing and to allow them to feel comfortable on the water. The students will learn safety skills such as righting a capsized boat, as well as basic nomenclature and rigging/derigging skills. The students will learn how to safely leave and return to the dock and will be able to sail independently. The basics of tacking, jibing, and docking will be covered.
A sailing program dedicated to teaching children who have high functioning Autism or Asperger’s syndrome. Learn basic sailing skills while going on adventures in the Ashley River and the surrounding waterways, all while building self-confidence and a love for being on the water. There will be land-based activities based on STEM education along with nautical games and crafts. In the case of not having enough wind to sail, instructors will lead participants in team building opportunities to promote self-confidence and esteem.
Beginner II Sailing
Ages 8 – 17
This class is for kids who have the basics covered and are ready to expand their skills. Sailors will work on sailing more efficiently including tacking, jibing, upwind and downwind sailing. This class is a continuation of Beginner Sailing and a stepping stone to Adventure Sailing or Beginner Racing based on the students interest.
Adventure – Fun Sail
Ages 9 – 17
Students with Beginner Sailing under their belt are invited to participate in the “Adventure Sail” class. Instruction will be on self-rescue and water safety, and on building students’ confidence by way of creative non-traditional lesson plans.
Beginner Racing
Ages 9 – 17
After students have completed Beginner & Beginner II they are able to take the Beginner Racing course. It can be separated throughout the summer or even in a four week block. For the students that have enjoyed leaning the sport of sailing and would like to compete and have fun learning to maximize wind efficiency while racing their friends around the harbor. In the course the skills they will learn are (but not limited to): Starting Sequence, Basic Course Configuration, Rules of Racing, Mark Rounding, Maximizing Upwind Sailing Angles, Increasing Boat Speed, Boat Handling, Positioning for Speed, Roll Tacking and Jibing, Introduction to Tactics, Having a Race Strategy and More.
Junior Instructor Program
Ages 14-18
This volunteer program trains young sailors to become leaders by teaching other young sailors how to sail. Must be involved in High School Sailing, or up to that ability, and want to assist in teaching beginners how to sail.
