Learn-to-Race / Racing Optimists

This summer LCSS is combining the "Learn to Race" and "Racing" classes into one. Students will be grouped according to their abilities. Students can take a half or full-day class and fees are reduced for taking more than one session. The same applies to taking 6 weeks of half-day classes.

The Optimist is a small one-person sailboat for students ranging in age from 8-14 and weighing up to about 120 pounds, and together with this class is an exciting opportunity to fully experience the fun and challenge of sailing at a higher level. Designed for students who have taken the Intermediate Optimist sailing class or demonstrated an ability to handle the boat independently, the class emphasizes on developing boat handling skills and confidence under a variety of wind conditions while placing students one to a boat and introducing them to basic racing concepts including starts, upwind sailing, reaching, and downwinds. Students looking for more will focus on boat trim for speed, basic “rules of the road”, and more advanced racing techniques, including starts, race strategy, tactics, and more.

Registration is limited, and instructors with extensive racing experience focus on developing boat handling skills and confidence under a variety of wind conditions, while maintaining close instructor-student contact. Sailors are also introduced to basic racing concepts including starts, upwind sailing, reaching, and downwinds.

Students are encouraged to participate in the popular Twin Cities Youth Sailing regattas on Fridays, where the sailing school provides coach support for the day, and they don’t need to own a boat. For more information, please view a regatta schedule here, or contact Chris Boylan (651-295-1375) or Larry Salzman (612-927-8552).

Notes:
*Week 1 of class 21 meets TWThF.
**Fees for a second session are $135.

Notes:
*Week 1 of class 24 meets TWThF.
**Fees for a second session are $135.