Bronte Harbour Yacht Club

Junior Lesson Programs

OPTIMIST CAMP (2, 4 & 8 weeks)

This Camp is intended for 7 and 8 year olds with no sailing school experience. The Optimist is a light boat, easily handled by the younger, light child. The emphasis is on fun on and off the water, rather than the mechanics of sailing. If your child is 7 or 8 years old and has never attended sailing school before, please enroll them in this program.

OPTIMIST RACING PROGRAM (2, 4 & 8 weeks)

This program is designed for children who have completed White Sail level 2 successfully, but are not yet strong enough, or heavy enough, to handle a 420 dinghy in the Bronze program. Students learn the elements of racing the Optimist. The Optimist dinghy has a strong class association, and students in this program will be challenged enough to keep them interested.

WHITE SAIL – Levels I, II, III (2, 4 & 8 weeks)

This program focuses on gradually improving a students sailing skills. As students progress through levels 1, 2 and 3, they become comfortable in handling the boat in stronger winds and higher waves, but are still restricted to good weather conditions. The courses are taught in either the stable, lightweight Optimist dinghy, or the faster, heavier CL 14 dinghy. The Optimist is used for White Levels I and II only.

BRONZE LEVEL – Levels IV, V (4 & 8 weeks)

At these levels, students learn the elements of sailing faster, more complex boats, including the use of a spinnaker. Students are introduced to racing. The programs are taught using the Club 420 dinghy.

SILVER/GOLD RACING PROGRAM (8 weeks)

In this course, the emphasis is entirely on racing competitively, and the course is taught by a specialized Racing Coach. Students must supply their own boat - usually a Laser or Byte dinghy. Parents and students intending to take the course should discuss the types of boat used with the Rear Commodore of Training or the Racing Coach while taking the final Bronze course.
Students enrolled in the Silver / Gold program are given a BHYC Jr. Membership for the summer. Dinghy storage in the BHYC compound for the boat used in the program is included with a Jr. Membership. A Jr. Membership can be extended by joining BHYC’s After School Training program. Students have the option of joining 2 after school sessions: Spring (early May till start of sailing school) and Fall (end of sailing school till Thanksgiving.) Training program description here.
Since students attend several regattas on weekends, a considerable time commitment is needed from both students and their parents. The BHYC Junior Racing Team is made up of students from the Silver/Gold program. With regard to all regattas, parents' assistance will be required taking the students to and from the regattas and providing supervision for the students when they are not racing.  Please read Lee Scott's A Parent's Perspective