2013 MSA SAILING PROGRAM CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

SEA URCHIN:  Age 8 or entering third grade

The object of this class is to introduce younger children to sailing and to make them comfortable and confident in a boat and on the water.  Participants will learn the very basics of boat handling - boat parts, rowing, steering with a tiller, trimming a sail and boat safety, with an emphasis on having fun in a boat.   Students will sail in the 9-foot Dyer Dhow dinghies as well as the 19-foot Rhodes 19s.

Mondays - Thursdays 1:00-4:00

OPTI BEGINNER (formerly Mates):  Ages 9-11

The Opti Beginner class is for children who have little to no sailing experience, including those who have taken the Sea Urchin class.  Sailors are taught in small groups in Dyer Dhow and Optimist dinghies.  Students will learn boat rigging, points of sail, basic sail trim, and boat safety.  There is no prerequisite for Opti Beginners.

Mondays - Fridays 9:00-12:00

OPTI INTERMEDIATE (formerly Bo'suns):   Ages 10-11

The Opti Intermediate class is for sailors who have successfully completed two sessions of the Opti Beginner class. This class will refine skills learned in the Opti Beginner class through greater independence in rigging, sailing and boat maintenance.  Students will sail in an Optimist dinghy.

Mondays - Fridays 9:00-12:00

OPTI ADVANCED (formerly Bo'sun II):  Ages 10-12

This class is designed for students who have successfully completed two sessions of Opti Intermediate and want to improve their sailing skills.  The class will teach advanced Optimist handling, such as proper sail trim, sprit tension, roll tacking, and beginner racing skills depending on class interest.  This class will meet in the afternoon, when wind speed is usually greater than in the morning.

Mondays - Fridays 1:00-4:00

OPTI INTRO TO RACE

This class is for sailors who have successfully completed two sessions of the Opti Intermediate class or one session of the Opti Advanced class.  Sailors will work on improving their sailing skills in Optis while learning basic racing rules and tactics.  Emphasis will be on competitive boat handling in a fun environment.  Sailors who are interested in racing may choose to compete in local green fleet regattas.  This class may be taken for the first half of the season only, or for the whole season.

Half Season:  Monday through Friday 1:00-5:00

Full Season:   Monday through Friday 1:00-5:00

OPTI RACE TEAM:

Opti Race Team is for sailors who have competed in green fleet regattas and are ready for the more challenging Championship line.  Boat ownership is encouraged but not required.  These racers usually attend Marblehead Race Week and the Mass Bay Junior Regatta, as well as additional local and regional regattas.  Parents must attend a pre-season race team meeting and participate in boat transportation for regattas.

Monday through Friday 1:00-5:00

420 BEGINNER (FORMERLY ENSIGNS):  Ages 11-14

The 420 Beginner class is designed for older children with limited or no sailing experience, and covers introductory sailing skills in the two person 420 dinghy.  This class focuses on sailing basics, including boat rigging, sail trim and boat maintenance.  Students finish this class with a good understanding of the fundamentals and the ability to rig and sail a 420 with supervision.

Mondays - Fridays 9:00-12:00

420 INTERMEDIATE (formerly Skippers):   Ages 12-18

The 420 Intermediate class is designed for sailors who have mastered the basics and want to enhance their sailing skills in a double-handed boat.  Successful completion of two sessions of the 420 Beginner class or the Opti Race Team is a prerequisite.  Students will learn boat handling, sail trim and introductory spinnaker skills.

Mondays - Fridays 9:00-12:00

420 ADVANCED (formerly Mariners):   Ages 14-18

The 420 Advanced class is for sailors who have successfully completed two sessions of the 420 Intermediate class.  It is designed for sailors who are interested in learning advanced boat handling skills.  This class will teach advanced 420 and Rhodes 19 sailing, including flying a spinnaker, as well as the fundamentals of navigation, anchoring, docking, sailing with a compass, mooring and boat maintenance.  The instructor may include basic to intermediate racing skills, including trapeze use, depending on class interest.

Monday - Friday 1:00-4:00

420 INTRO TO RACE

This class is for sailors who have successfully completed two sessions of the 420 Intermediate class or equivalent.  Sailors will work on improving their sailing skills in 420s while learning basic racing rules and tactics.  Emphasis will be on competitive boat handling in a fun environment.  Sailors who are interested in racing may choose to compete in local regattas.   This class may be taken for the first half of the season only, or for the whole season.

Half Season:  Monday through Friday 1:00-5:00

Full Season:   Monday through Friday 1:00-5:00

420 RACE TEAM

The 420 Race Team is the most competitive environment for experienced sailors.  Members of the 420 Race Team must be at least 14 years old and be recommended by an instructor.  Emphasis will be on honing competitive sailing skills, boat maintenance and racing rules and tactics.  Racers are expected to participate in select local and regional regattas.  Parents must attend a pre-season 420 Race Team meeting and participate in boat transportation.

Monday through Friday 1:00-5:00

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ADULT BEGINNER:

This class is for adults who have had little to no sailing experience.  Participants will learn the basics of sailing including boat rigging, sail trim, boat safety and introductory seamanship.  The class will be taught in Rhodes 19 boats.

Wednesdays  5:00-8:00

Or

Fridays           1:00-4:00

ADULT INTERMEDIATE:

This class is for those who have completed the Adult Beginner class or who have had prior sailing experience and are comfortable with the basics of sailing.   Instructor led practice and instruction in different wind conditions will deepen the sailor's level of competence and confidence on the water.  Emphasis will be on general seamanship and boat-maneuvering skills such as mooring, docking, heavy air tactics and safety procedures.

Thursdays      5:00-8:00