STAGE HARBOR SAILING SCHOOL PROGRAM GUIDE

SHSS has been successful for almost 90 years in teaching students and adults to sail, forging lifelong friendships and enjoying summer days on Stage Harbor. The program is best experienced when students attend class regularly and for as many weeks as possible. This allows students to master the skills taught at each level and to develop strong friendships.

For those students who begin their experience with SHSS as a Hermit or Seamen, the classes follow a progression based on age, experience and advancement testing. For those students who are new to SHSS and who may also be less experienced and older, please contact the Program Director or Sailing School President to discuss your child’s needs and progression.

 

Instructional Classes

HERMIT CRABS: Novices - 6 and 7 year olds 

Eligibility: Sailors must turn 6 before September 1, and must be entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall.

  • Hermit Crabs meet twice weekly on Monday and Friday mornings, 0930-1200.

  • Learn the basics of sailing in a variety of boats.

  • An instructor will be in each boat.

  • Students will spend one or two years in Hermits and will advance to Seamen class based on the age requirements.

SEAMEN: Beginners (Sprites with Instructors): mostly ages 8-10

Eligibility: Sailors must turn 8 before September 1, and be entering at least 3rd grade in the fall. 

(Please note that if your child is new to the Club, not an experienced sailor but older than 10, you should contact the Program Director before registering.)

  • Seamen meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, 0900-1200, for on water and on shore sailing instruction. 

  • Knots, Terminology, Parts-of-the-boat, and Knowledge instruction are incorporated into these three classes. Students learn to sail in Sprites, the Club’s traditional small fleet of sloops, with two or three other students and an instructor.

  • Seamen advance to Mates after passing Advancement Qualification tests, including an on the water performance test to ensure students can safely move to the next level. 

  • Seamen are encouraged to sign up for the Tuesday morning Opti for Seamen class.  More information about that class is below.

MATES Intermediate Sailors (Optis alone): mostly ages 9-12

Eligibility: Seamen who satisfy all Advancement Qualification requirements for advancement to Mates. New students 10 or older may also qualify for Mates - please contact the Program Director for guidance.

  • Mates meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, 0900-1200, for on water and on shore instructions. 

  • Knots, Terminology, Parts-of-the-boat, and Knowledge instruction are incorporated into these three classes.

  • Mates will be introduced to Optis, where they will use their knowledge from Seaman to sail the Optimist alone. 

  • Mates advance to Old Mates after passing Advancement Qualification tests, including an on the water performance test to ensure students can safely move to the next level.

  • Mates are encouraged to sign up for the afternoon Opti for Mates class to help prepare them for racing and more tactical techniques. 

OLD MATES Advanced Intermediates (Independent sailing in Optis): mostly ages 11-14

Eligibility: Sailors must satisfy all Advancement Qualification requirements from Mates class. Beginning sailors age 12 or older may also qualify for Old Mates and should contact the Program Director for guidance.

  • Old Mates meet Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings, 0900-1200, for on water and on shore instructions.

  • Knots, Terminology, Parts-of-the-boat, and Knowledge instruction are incorporated into these three classes.

  • Old Mates advance to Skippers after passing Advancement Qualification tests, including an on the water performance test to ensure students can safely move to the next level.

  • Old Mates are encouraged to sign up for the afternoon Opti for Old Mates/Skippers class. More information about that class is below.

SKIPPERS Advanced (Learning to Sail 420s): mostly ages 13-15 

Eligibility: Old Mates who satisfy all Advancement Qualification requirements for advancement to Skippers. New students age 14 or older may also qualify for Skippers and should contact the Program Director for guidance.

  • Skippers meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, 0900-1200, and sail either 420s or Optis if they do not meet the weight requirements. The class has traditionally focused on sailing 420s.

  • Skippers class has a fun teen social atmosphere with an emphasis on building sailing and seamanship skills. Sailors in Skippers often participate in local racing series on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

  • Sailors in Skippers who are interested in advanced sailing are also encouraged to register for the Opti for Old Mates/Skippers or 420 Race Team.

Specialized Classes

SHSS offers classes that mix traditional race technique with fun on the water activities. All classes emphasize safety, fun, community, friendship and mastery.

OPTIS FOR SEAMEN: mostly 8-10 year old beginner Opti sailors

  • Optis for Seamen meet 1 day a week, on Tuesday mornings, 0900-1200.

  • With an emphasis on fun and safety, sailors learn the basic parts and how to sail an Optimist Dinghy (Opti). The goal of the class is the development of basic skills and comfortability with single handed sailing.

  • All students will be placed with an instructor in the boat.

  • Due to space limitations, Sailors may be doubled up or rotated into Optis during class.

OPTIS FOR MATES: mostly 9-12 year old intermediate Opti sailors

Eligibility: Optis for Mates students must also be enrolled in Mates and will have preferably completed a year in the Optis for Seamen class.

  • Optis for Mates meet twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, 1330-1600.

  • With a continuing emphasis on safety, fun and time on the water, this class builds on basic skills learned in the Mates class. The curriculum is oriented toward becoming more comfortable and proficient in Optis, some students may be ready to participate in local races or try a regatta.

  • Skills these students will practice will include: roll tacks and jibes, starting techniques, intermediate boat handling and racing tactics. 

OPTI RACE TEAM: mostly 11-14 year old, experienced Opti sailors

Eligibility: Opti Race Team students must also be enrolled in Old Mates or Skippers and will have preferably completed at least a year in the Optis for Mates Class.

  • Opti Race Teams meet four days per week, Monday through Thursday afternoon, 1330-1600.

  • This class will focus on the students interested in advanced race technique and those interested in continuing to build and develop strong sailing skills that will allow them to progress with confidence to sail the 420.

  • Skills these students will practice will include: roll tacks and jibes, starting techniques, intermediate boat handling and racing tactics. Racers are encouraged to participate in sanctioned regattas and our Club racing series (Tue, Thurs, Sun).

ADVENTURE SAIL (for Mates, Old Mates and Skippers): mostly ages 11-14

SHSS offers Adventure Sail for students looking to spend a fun and leisurely afternoon on Stage Harbor. This class primarily serves students looking to extend the day on the water and/or those who are also enrolled in Optis for Mates  We encourage concurrent registration in those classes.

  • Adventure Sail meets on Monday & Wednesday afternoons, 1330-1600.

  • Sailors will use a variety of boats, including BICs, Optis, 420s, paddle boards and more.

  • This class is ideal for sailors who want to continue progressing in the development of boat handling skills and are not as interested in racing.

  • Sailors who own BICs will use them in some, but not all Adventure Sail classes, as the class seeks to emphasize fun, team work, friendship and community.

  • This class is intended for students who are younger or smaller. If a student is 14 or older or weighs more than 120 pounds, please contact the Program Director with questions.

420 RACE TEAM 

Eligibility: Ages 13-18. 

  • The 420 Race Team meets four days per week, on Monday through Thursday afternoon, 1330-1600.

  • The coaches will assess skill and experience level and will make final decisions on sailing partners.

  • The 420 Race Team will focus on honing sailors’ expertise in fleet racing strategies and tactics. Heavy wind boat handling skills, and spinnaker and trapeze use will be developed. 

  • Team racing strategies will be learned, and sailors will have the opportunity to represent SHYC in the SMSA Team Racing Championship. Participants should plan to compete in a minimum of two regattas during the summer.

  • Consistent attendance at practices is expected. Sailors intending to transition from Optis to 420s should do so in consultation with the Opti and 420 Coaches and the Program Director.

New sailors to the program who are age eligible for participation should consult the Program Director prior