2023 Summer Class Descriptions
MSA 2023 Summer Sessions:
Students are grouped in classes by age, ability and interest. Classes are offered for children ages 7 to 18 (as of September 1st). Most classes are offered in 4 two-week sessions. All participants must wear a USCG certified life jacket in classes.
In order to participate in the MSA program, every sailor must be able to swim 100 yards continuously and have this verified by a Water Safely Instructor on the MSA swim form. This form must be received by MSA before the sailor's first class. Both a Water Safety Instructor and a parent must sign the form. The swim test form can be found on the parent section of this site. If you are unable to have this done prior to the first class of your sailor, MSA will run swim tests the first day of each session.
_____
Sea Urchin -
The object of this class is to introduce younger children to sailing, familiarize them with being on and around the water, to help make them comfortable and confident in a boat and to have a ton of fun while doing it. 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. There will be both on and off water instruction. Students will sail in the 9-foot Dyer Dhow dinghies, Optimist dinghies, as well as the 18-foot Ideal 18s and will be tightly supervised throughout the session.
When the class is complete, the new sailor will be able to identify the primary parts of a sailboat, demonstrate basic helming skills, and be comfortable in a boat.
This class is best for 7 -9 year old children who are unfamiliar with sailing and are looking for their very first sailing experience.
Mondays - Friday 1:00 - 4:00 - $515 per session
_____
Learn to Sail -
The Learn to Sail 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 Optimist dinghies. Students will learn boat rigging, points of sail, basic sail trim, and boat safety. There will be both on and off water instruction.
This class has a hands-on, learn-to-sail focus. When complete, the sailor will be able to demonstrate basic helm, trim, and water awareness skills. The sailor will be able to identify the major parts of a sailboat and sail a boat from point A to point B.
This class is best for children who are new sailors, age 8 -11 and who are comfortable on a boat by themselves.
Mondays - Fridays 9:00-12:00
$515 per session
_____
OPTI Intermediate -
The Opti Intermediate class is for sailors who have successfully completed two sessions of Learn to Sail, or can demonstrate similar skills. This class will refine previous skills learned and build on that foundation through greater independence in rigging, sailing and boat maintenance. There will be both on and off water instruction. Students will sail in an Optimist dinghy.
This class has a hands-on, learn-to-sail focus. When complete the sailor will be able to demonstrate helming skills, tack and jibe in control, trim a sail to course, identify the parts of a sailboat, sail upwind close-hauled, and be confident and independent in an Optimist sailboat.
This class is best for sailors who are 8 - 11 years old with demonstrated basic sailing skills or who have successfully completed two sessions of Learn to Sail, or an equivalent course.
Mondays - Fridays 9:00-12:00 - $515 per session
_____
OPTI Intermediate and Advanced (10-13 year olds) -
The class is for sailors who have successfully completed one session of Opti Intermediate or can demonstrate similar skills. This class will refine previous skills learned and build on that foundation through greater independence in rigging, sailing and boat maintenance. There will be both on and off water instruction. Students will sail in an Optimist dinghy.
This class has a hands-on, learn-to-sail focus. When complete the sailor will be able to demonstrate helming skills, tack and jibe in control, trim a sail to course, identify the parts of a sailboat, sail upwind close-hauled, and be confident and independent in an Optimist sailboat.
This class is best for sailors who are 10 - 13 years old with demonstrated basic sailing skills.
Mondays - Fridays 1:00 - 4:00 - $515 per session
_____
Laser/C420 Beginner and Intermediate -
The Laser/C420 Beginner and Intermediate class is designed for sailors who are comfortable on the water and are ready to enhance their sailing skills in a Laser or C420. We will separate the class in the first day based on skill level and experience into two groups; beginner and intermediate. There will be both chalkboard (pre and post sailing) and on-the-water instruction with a focus on fun while learning. Students will learn boat, rigging, handling, and sail trim.
This class has a hands-on learn-to-sail focus. When complete, sailors will be able to sail a Laser or C420 upwind, downwind, and do so with independence and confidence.
This class is best for 13 - 18 year old sailors who are seeking to become proficient at one-person performance dinghy sailing. This is a great step towards either racing, or a recreational oriented mastery of sailing.
Mondays - Fridays 9:00 -12:00 - $515 per session
_____
Opti Intro to Race & Race -
The Opti Intro to Race & Race class is for sailors who have successfully completed two sessions of the Opti Intermediate class, or can demonstrate similar skills. This class focuses on creating expertise and building lifelong sailing skills as well as basic sailboat racing. There will be both on and off the water instruction and sailors will sail in an Optimist dinghy.
This class has a hands-on, learn-to-sail focus. When complete, the sailor will be able to confidently handle wind conditions up to 16 knots, sail around Misery Island, and be ready, if they want to, to start racing.
Sailors who choose to race, will participate in local and potentially travel regattas in the Mass Bay area and beyond depending on COVID restrictions, race readiness, and instructor guidance.
This class is best for sailors 9 - 14 years old with demonstrated intermediate or better sailing skills or who have successfully completed two session for Opti Intermediate or an equivalent course.
Mon - Fri 1:00 - 4:30
$1,345 for the full 8 week season of MSA's summer program
$995 the first 5 weeks of MSA’s season ending the Friday after Marblehead Junior Race Week
_____
Intro-to-Race & Race Laser/C420 -
The Laser/C420 Intro-to-Race & Race class is for sailors who have sailing experience and are ready to race C420s or Lasers. This class focused on creating broad sailing expertise and building lifelong general sailing as well as sailboat racing skills. There will be both on and off the water instruction and on-the water in a Laser or C420 dinghy.
This class has a hands-on, mastery-of-sailing focus. When complete, sailors will be well-rounded, independent, and confident sailors capable of sailing in most in-shore weather conditions.
Sailors who join the race team, will participate in local and travel regattas in the Mass Bay area and beyond depending on race readiness, parental support, and instructor guidance.
This class is best for sailors who are 13 - 18 years old with demonstrated intermediate or better sailing skills or who have successfully completed two sessions of C420 Intermediate or an equivalent course.
Mon - Fri 1:00 - 4:30
$1,345 for the full 8 week season of MSA's summer program
$995 the first 5 weeks of MSA’s season ending the Friday after Marblehead Junior Race Week
_____
Advanced Junior Sailing/Adventure sailing-
The Advanced Junior Sailing/Adventures Sailing class is for sailors who have successfully completed two sessions of the Laser/C420 Intermediate class, or can demonstrate similar skills. This class focused on creating broad sailing expertise and building lifelong general sailing. There will be both on and off the water instruction and sailors will sail in a Laser, C420 dinghy, Ideal 18s, and other available boats.
The Advanced Junior Sailing/Adventure sailing class will be focused on . There will be both chalkboard (pre and post sailing) and on-the-water instruction.
This class has a hands-on, mastery-of-sailing focus. When complete, sailors will be well-rounded, independent, and confident sailors capable of sailing in most in-shore weather conditions.
Sailors will learn basic navigation, explore the surrounding waters, and have a great time doing so.
Mon - Fri 1:00 - 4:30
$515 per session
************************************************************
Adult Sailing
This class will be taught primarily in our fleet of Ideal 18s. Sailors will be grouped according to skill level. If you are new to the sport your group will focus on the basics of sailing and boat handling. More experienced sailors will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of seamanship and more advanced boat-handling skills such as mooring, docking, heavy air seamanship and safety procedures. Instructor led practice and instruction in different wind conditions will deepen the sailor's level of competence and confidence on the water.
1 day per week for 8 weeks - Thursdays 5:00 - 8:00 OR Fridays 1:00 - 4:00 - $625 per session
Full Day Adult Learn-to-Sail week
This class will be taught both in the classroom and in our fleet of Ideal 18’s. Over the course of a week, adult sailors will learn the concepts and fundamentals of sailing in the mornings, and put them into practice on the water in the afternoon. Sailors will be grouped according to skill level. If you are new to the sport your group will focus on the basics of sailing and boat handling. More experienced sailors will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of seamanship and more advanced boat-handling skills such as mooring, docking, heavy air seamanship and safety procedures. Instructor led practice and instruction in different wind conditions will deepen the sailor's level of competence and confidence on the water.
This is a great opportunity to advance from first time sailing to becoming a competent and confident sailor.
July 31 - Aug 4, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - $950 per session
_____
PLEASE NOTE: If you are registering for more than one class/session (and/or for more than one person), when using the registration system, please click the blue ADD button for all of the sessions before clicking the yellow CONTINUE button. You will have the opportunity to assign participants to individual classes after that.