The MBBC Junior Sailing Program covers sailing fundamentals for new and seasoned sailors, building toward mastery of a broad range of sailing skills. Our US Sailing certified instructors, and multi-age program allows flexibility in meeting the instructional and schedule needs of our junior participants. 

Sailing classes teach boat handling skills and seamanship following the US SAILING Small Boat Sailing curriculum. Class offerings are designed to teach sailors with entry level skills up to experienced sailors participating in our racing program. 

Participants must be able to swim. A swim test will be given on the first day of each session. Participants must come to class with an approved life preserver (Type II or Type III).  MBBC has some life jackets available to borrow if needed.  Financial assistance is available for any child with an interest in sailing and limited financial resources.

Our Instructors are US SAILING certified instructors. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of fifteen participants. Morning instruction is led by two full-time certified Sailing Instructors and two assistant Junior Instructors. 

Sailing classes are taught in two-week sessions over an eight-week period. Our small group instruction with multiple instructors is customized to each sailor's ability, experience, and interest. Beginner sailors are mentored by those with more experience with instruction focused on basic skills. Advanced sailors will be given instruction on advanced skills and boat handling. Weather permitting, most instruction is on the water in our club provided Optimists and Flying Junior sailboats. The integrated approach to sailing levels is reflective of what we typically see in club sailing:  Those with experience like to share that experience with those who are just discovering this great sport!

The morning sessions focus on non-race instruction for all sailing levels. Sailors will learn to identify wind direction, how to rig and unrig boats, basic knot tying, rules of the road, how to launch and land their boat, how to steer, points of sail, tacking and jibing, capsize recovery, man overboard recovery, sailing upwind and downwind.

Afternoon classes build on the basic instruction with a focus on racing specific skills. Sailors continue practicing seamanship, boat handling skills, and also work on racing skills including racing rules, how to navigate a race course, racing strategies and tactics, improving boat speed and sail trim, and starting. Sailors have the opportunity participate in several out of town regattas as part of the program.

Many sailors participate in both morning and afternoon instruction. To participate in the afternoon racing program sailors will need to have their U.S. SAILING Small Boat Sailing Certification for Light Air (or equivalent proficiency) and an interest in learning racing skills. 

Instruction on Seamanship and Sportsmanship is emphasized for ALL levels of sailors! 

The MBBC Junior Sailing Race Team enjoys a long tradition at MBBC that dates back to 1954. It continues to thrive and produce exceptionally talented sailors, such as Nick Aswad, Connor Aswad, and Pete Hazelett, who finished third at the 2006 Lightning Junior World Championships in Finland. They join the ranks of Bill Fastiggi, Tim McKegney, Chris Morgan, Andy Horton, Karl and Erik Johnson, Kate Brush, and Bretton Gardner, all past participants at the Jr. Sailing program who achieved great results in sailboat racing, including Sears Cup, collegiate sailing, Olympic campaigns, and America's Cup racing.

Sailing instruction and participation on the MBBC Junior Sailing Race Team is available to all members of the community that meet the age and swim requirements. Class availability is provided on a priority basis to members of MBBC. Remaining class openings are available to community members. Non-members should register as soon as possible and will be accepted for the requested sessions in the order received. Normally about half the sailors are non-members.

Want more information or have questions? Please Contact:

Rich Miller
Chair, Jr. Sailing Committee
juniorsailing@mbbc-vt.org