LEARN TO SAIL

SUMMER LEARN TO SAIL

Our Summer Sailing program is a fun introduction to sailing for children ages 6 to 16. There is no experience necessary and no membership or residency requirement needed to participate. We provide all the support and equipment to get out on the water. Just bring your sunscreen, water bottle, towel, and a smile!

We offer three programs of classes designed for Kids (ages 6-7), Youth (ages 8-12), and Teens (ages 13-16). Each summer class meets for ten lessons and each lesson is about three hours in length. Our trained instructors follow a detailed curriculum incorporating a wide variety of games and activities delivered with lots of encouragement and enthusiasm. 

In addition to learning sailing skills while building confidence, students experience valuable life lessons in safety, responsibility, self-reliance, decision-making, teamwork, and respect for others and the environment. It is our mission to foster a life-long love for sailing in an atmosphere of fun and good fellowship.

SCHEDULE

This summer we have expanded our schedule to include morning and afternoon classes. Each class meets Monday - Friday for a two-week session. Morning classes meet from 9 am to 12 pm and the Afternoon classes meet from 1 pm to 4 pm.  Please check our Registration Page on Clubspot for the most up-to-date class session availability. 
​
SUMMER SESSION DATES:

• Session 1: June 3 - June 14
• Session 2: June 17 - June 28
• Session 3: July 1  - July 12 (No Class July 4)
• Session 4: July 15 - July 26
• Session 5: July 29 - August 9​​

ELIGIBILITY

Our programs are open to all sailors who have reached their 6th birthday for Kids classes, 8th birthday for Youth classes, and 13th birthday for Teen classes. All children are required to pass a swim check administered on the first day of class. Students must be able to swim 25 yards wearing the clothes they will be sailing in, including a life jacket and shoes.

REGISTRATION & CLASSES

Click HERE to view our Clubspot registration page for detailed class descriptions and current session availability. You will be notified by email when your registration has been confirmed. If you have questions, please contact our office by email at [email protected].  

KIDS PROGRAM [Ages 6-7]

• Pre-Sail Camp is an ideal introduction to summer sailing classes for younger kids ages 6-7.  Trained instructors teach the basics of attending sailing camp and getting comfortable around the water. We first experience sailing as a group aboard our Flying Scot sailboat, then play games with our SailCube Prams in the shallows near the sailing center. This class teaches water and boating safety, basic parts of the boat, tying knots, participating with a group, and rigging a SailCube Pram. Pre-Sail Camp is taught in small groups of four sailors per instructor. Our goal is to encourage sailors completing this class to become excited about summer sailing and enroll in future Beginner Sailing (Pram 1) lessons 

YOUTH PROGRAM [Ages 8-12]

• Beginner Sailing (Pram 1) is a fun and safe introduction to the fundamentals of sailing. No experience is necessary.  Trained instructors lead our new sailors through a series of carefully planned games and activities to build confidence and develop excitement about getting on the water. This class is taught in our fleet of SailCubes, a pram designed specifically for new sailors. Typically the first half of this class is sailed with two campers per boat then progressing to solo sailing with lots of support and encouragement from the instructors. By the end of the two-week session, it is our goal that your sailor be able to take you out in their SailCube to show off just how much they have learned.

​​                       ​

• Intermediate Sailing (Pram 2) continues the progression from Pram 1. This class is an excellent fit for sailors with some previous experience and ready to sail a pram on their own. Trained instructors lead the class through a series of carefully planned fun games and activities. We aim for the experience to nurture sailors' confidence through making new friends and developing seamanship skills. This class is primarily taught in our fleet of SailCubes, a pram designed specifically for new sailors. By the end of the class, our goal is to encourage sailors to try out and progress into an Optimist Dinghy or O'Pen Skiff. Sailors completing the Intermediate Sailing (Pram 2) class are encouraged to join our Adventure Fleet Program and Opti Green Fleet Racing Team. Prerequisites: Completion of a Beginner Sailing (Pram 1) class or equivalent knowledge and experience. Able to sail a pram solo in light winds. 
  
  
• Advanced Sailing (Opti 3) is ideal for sailors who have completed multiple sessions of summer camps and are eager to explore more of the local rivers and bays while sailing fast. Trained instructors lead the fleet through a series of carefully selected fun games, activities, and expeditions to nearby landmarks. Sailors build confidence through team-building exercises while developing independent and safe decision-making processes. This class is primarily taught in our fleet of Optimist Dinghies and O'Pen Skiffs. In addition to polishing their seamanship and sailing skills, sailors are introduced to the fundamentals of racing and navigation. Sailors completing this class are encouraged to join our Green Fleet Racing and Adventure Fleet programs. Prerequisites: Completion of the Intermediate Sailing (Pram 2) class or equivalent knowledge and experience. Able to sail an Optimist solo in light to moderate winds. Able to self-rescue and continue sailing after a capsize.

TEEN PROGRAM [Ages 13-16]

• Beginner Sailing (Sailtrek 1) is an introductory sailing experience geared specifically for teens ages 13 -16 new to sailing. Trained instructors lead the group through a series of creative activities designed to promote socializing with friends, team building, and learning new sailing skills. This class is ideal for teens who would like to try sailing a variety of boats including our Sunfish, C/420's, and Flying Scot. This class encourages sailors to share skippering and crewing responsibilities while exploring local landmarks around the Manatee River and Terra Ceia Bay. Our goal is to encourage sailors completing this class to enroll in a future Intermediate Sailing (Sailtrek 2) class and attend Recreational Sailing Days as part of our Adventure Fleet Program.                                                                                                     ​
• Intermediate Sailing (Sailtrek 2) is an excellent fit for teens ages 13 - 16 who have attended a previous sailing camp and would like to further develop their skills among friends. Trained instructors lead the group through a series of fun and creative activities designed to promote social interaction, team building, and improve dinghy sailing techniques. This class is ideal for teens who would like to try sailing a variety of boats including our Sunfish, Lasers, C/420's, and a Flying Scot. Spinnakers and trapeze will be introduced should conditions permit. This class encourages sailors to share skippering and crewing responsibilities while exploring local landmarks around the Manatee River and Terra Ceia Bay. Sailors completing this course will receive a Skippers Card enabling them to bring friends to our Recreational Sailing Days and join Expedition Daysails as part of our Adventure Fleet Program. We also encourage our Sailtrek 2 graduates to enroll in a future Apprentice Sailing Instructor class. ​Prerequisites: Completion of the Beginner Sailing (Sailtrek 1) class or equivalent knowledge and experience. 

FINANCIAL AID

MRYS offers scholarship assistance for all programs. If scholarship assistance is needed, please contact us by email at [email protected].  We do require financial information to grant scholarships. Scholarship assistance is completely confidential.  

REFUND & CANCELLATION
​POLICY
​

---

WHAT TO BRING & WEAR

Sailing will take place rain or shine. There are no cancellations or make-up days and no refunds. In the case of rain, lightning, small craft warnings, unsafe conditions or lack of wind, land based activities will be offered in place of sailing. ​

​

​Please Label Everything!

• Closed Toe Shoes (Crocs are OK but NO Sandals Please)
• Sunscreen (re-apply during breaks)
• Water Bottle (refill stations provided)
• Beach Towel 
• Snack (small coolers OK)
• Hat and Sunglasses
• Clothes that can get wet
• Comfortable Life Jacket (we have loaners available in many sizes)
• Backpack (with dry clothes)

PICK UP & DROP OFF

We are located in The Bishop Sailing Center at the Bradenton Yacht Club, 4307 13th Street W, Palmetto, FL. 

• Morning Classes: Drop Off 9 AM – Pick Up 12 PM
• Afternoon Classes: Drop Off 1 PM – Pick Up 4 PM

All students must be signed in and out with an instructor by a parent or guardian. No sailors may be left unattended on-site outside of MRYS sailing hours. If you cannot take your child in hand, please make arrangements for another adult to sign them in and out.

USE OF MRPF BOATS

Children who use MRYS boats are responsible for exercising reasonable care and good seamanship. They shall reimburse the MRYS for the cost of any loss of, or damage to, a boat, its equipment, or the property of others that results from the neglect of such care and seamanship. In addition, participants recognize that hazards are involved in the operation of boats and therefore make no claims against the Manatee River Youth Sailing or the Bradenton Yacht Club based on injuries related to the use of the boats. Anyone participating in the MRYS must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times on the water and must return the boat and its equipment to the place and in the condition in which it was found.

RULES OF THE PROGRAM

Please click HERE to view our program rules and disciplinary policy.