THE MSA SAILING CLASSES

The Manchester Sailing Association is a community sailing program devoted to teaching the skills and pleasures of sailing and racing to the residents of Manchester and neighboring towns. Please read the Class Descriptions and Placement Guidelines below before registering. You will receive confirmation of class placement by email. (Sessions of any class may be cancelled due to low enrollment.)

All participants must provide proof of current ability to swim 100 yards. If you are new to the program, you will receive a Swim Form with your confirmation. You can also download forms by clicking on 'Registration' to the left of this screen. Any American Red Cross, YMCA, or community swimming program can administer the swim test. The Swim Form must be signed by the certified instructor and a parent and submitted to MSA on or before your child's first class.

Learn-To-Sail

Please Note: All morning classes (M-F) will end at 12:00PM

Sea Urchin Class: This class will teach younger children the very basics of boat handling, rowing, steering with a tiller, and the fun of simply 'messing about in boats'. The object of the class is to make participants comfortable and confident in a boat and on the water. Typically students take no more than two sessions of Sea Urchins. Sea Urchins is not a prerequisite for Mates but students must meet the age requirement in order to take the Mates class.

Ages: Entering third grade or 8 years old as of Sept. 1.
Max. class size: 16.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00-4:00.

Mate Class(Beginner): Sailors are taught in small groups on the shore and in Dyer dinghies and Optimists. They will sail small dinghies with another child on board under the supervision of the instructors. Upon completion of Mates, sailors should be able to name the parts of a boat, understand points of sail, capsize and recover, and demonstrate basic sail trim, steering and general boat safety. (It is required that this class be taken for at least two sessions before moving on.)

Ages: 9-11 (children entering 4th grade or 9 years old as of September 1st).
Max. class size :20
Mondays-Fridays 9:00-12:00

Bo'sun Class(Intermediate): The Bo'sun Class is an intermediate class that builds self-reliance in and around the water for those who have completed the Mate requirements or children who are comfortable with sailing basics. The sailors usually sail alone in an Optimist and will learn sail trim, sailing upwind and downwind, docking, rigging and derigging and general boat maintenance. Before moving on sailors should be able to sail a basic course and safely return to the dock with limited supervision.

Ages 10-11.
Max. class size:16
Mondays-Fridays 9:00-12:00

Bo'sun II Class (Advanced): This class will meet in the afternoon, when wind speed is usually greater than in the morning. Therefore, the class is designed for students who have completed at least two sessions of Bo'suns and have instructor approval. Students must be able to rig and sail alone in an Optimist in many weather conditions, dock and unrig the boat safely. The class will teach advanced Optimist handling, such as proper sail trim, sprit tension, and roll tacking, and beginner racing skills if there is class interest.

Ages: 10-12.
Max class size: 8
Mondays-Fridays 1:00-4:00

Ensign Class(Older Beginner): The Ensign Class is a learn-to-sail class designed for older children with no, or limited sailing experience and covers introductory sailing skills in 420s. This class focuses on the basics, including steering, sail trim, sailing upwind and becoming comfortable on the water. Students finish this class with a good understanding of the fundamentals and the ability to rig and sail a 420 with supervision.

Ages:11-14 (entering 6th through 9th grade).
Max. class size: 16. Mondays - Fridays 9:00-12:00

Skipper Class (Intermediate): The Skipper Class is designed for sailors who have mastered the basics and are interested in learning more advanced sailing skills in 420s. Completion of two Bo'sun, two Ensign or one Bo'sun II class or equivalent is a prerequisite. At the end of this class students should be able to rig and sail a 420 with minimal supervision. Students will learn to adjust sail controls, get more speed out of their boats and learn to sail around a course. Introductory spinnaker skills will be introduced. The class will also introduce basic racing skills including starts and upwind and downwind techniques.

Ages: 11-18 (entering 6th grade or higher).
Max. class size: 16. Mondays - Fridays 9:00-12:00

Mariner Class(Advanced): The Mariner class is designed for sailors who have completed more than one Skipper class and have instructor approval or Opti race experience. Sailors are expected to be able to rig and sail a boat with minimal supervision, and to be comfortable in both the skipper and crew positions. Designed for sailors who are interested in learning advanced boat handling skills, but not in racing necessarily, the Mariner Class will teach many of the skills needed to enjoy sailing as a life-long activity. This class will teach advanced 420 and Rhodes 19 sailing, including how to fly a spinnaker, as well as the fundamentals of navigation, anchoring, docking, sailing with a compass, mooring, basic navigation and basic boat care and maintenance. The instructor may include basic to intermediate racing skills, including trapeze use, depending on class interest. There will be at least two ?cruises? on larger sailboats scheduled, one in July and one in August, for all Mariner participants.

Ages: 11-18 (entering 6th grade or higher).
Max. class size: 10. Monday - Friday 1:00 - 4:00.

Adult Sailing: This class is open to beginner through intermediate sailors. The class will be taught in a variety of boats, including Rhodes 19s. Come enjoy a fun afternoon on the water while learning and improving your sailing skills.

Wednesdays 1:00-4:00.
Max. class size: 9

Placement Guidelines

2. Beginner Sailors aged 11 and under 90 lbs, sign up for Mates.

3. Beginner Sailors aged 11 and between 90-120 lbs may sign up for either Mates or Ensigns.

4. Beginner Sailors who are 11 and over, and over 120 lbs, must sign up for Ensigns.

5. Sailors with minimal sailing experience, either at MSA or elsewhere, should also sign up for Ensigns, but if you have taken more than two sessions of either Bo?suns or Ensigns or can rig and skipper a dinghy of any type yourself, please sign up for the Skipper class.

6. If you have taken more than two sessions of Skipper class in the past, please sign up for the Mariner class.

If you have additional placement questions, or questions about financial aid, please call the Registrar, Cindy Conway, at 978-526-1637

MSA reserves the right to reassign sailors to a different class based on demonstrated ability and sessions may be cancelled due to low enrollment.