Youth Program
Great news! SSA will be offering a complete summer of instruction tailored to a variety of needs. We will be offering a week of introduction for young sailors just starting out, multiple weeks of instruction for experienced sailors (and older beginners), and a week specifically for girls and young women. We can also offer private instruction, subject to instructor availability. Please see below to explore our offerings.
Adventure Weeks
Adventure Weeks run Monday through Friday, 9AM to 4PM. These sessions are designed for all skill levels ages 9-17. All sailors must be 9 or older by the first day of camp. Beginner students will learn the basics of sailing at a comfortable pace with expert instruction in a team-oriented environment. More experienced sailors will have opportunities to sail different classes of boats and expand their skills with on the water challenges and games. This class will include fun, safe activities on the water. We will follow updated CDC and NYS Department of Health guidelines for social-distancing and mask-wearing, both on and off the water.
Adventure Weeks
Adventure Weeks run Monday through Friday, 9AM to 4PM. These sessions are designed for all skill levels ages 9-17. All sailors must be 9 or older by the first day of class. Beginner students will learn the basics of sailing at a comfortable pace with expert instruction in a team-oriented environment. More experienced sailors will have opportunities to sail different classes of boats and expand their skills with on the water challenges and games. This class will include fun, safe activities on the water.
Opti Week
Opti Week:
Girls and Young Women’s Week
As part of a global movement to create more sailing opportunities for girls and young women, SSA is offering an Adventure Week dedicated to sailors who self-identify as girls, ages 9 to 17. Instruction for the younger sailors will take place initially with Optimist Dinghies (for one or two people) and for older sailors in 420s (a two person boat) and in Lasers (for singlehanded sailing). The focus will be on having fun while learning to sail, improving on skills, with opportunities to skipper. Those sailors with interests in competitive sailing will have an opportunity to develop those skills as well. The goal is for our sailors to imagine a future in sailing with all the benefits sailing brings, including building confidence, embracing challenges and the thrill of adventure, and enjoying teamwork.
We will follow updated CDC and NYS Department of Health guidelines for social-distancing and mask-wearing, both on and off the water.
Girls and Young Women’s Week
As part of a global movement to create more sailing opportunities for girls and young women, SSA is offering an Adventure Week dedicated to sailors who self-identify as girls, ages 9 to 17. Instruction for the younger sailors will take place initially with Optimist Dinghies (for one or two people) and for older sailors in 420s (a two person boat) and in Lasers (for singlehanded sailing). The focus will be on having fun while learning to sail, improving on skills, with opportunities to skipper. Those sailors with interests in competitive sailing will have an opportunity to develop those skills as well. The goal is for our sailors to imagine a future in sailing with all the benefits sailing brings, including building confidence, embracing challenges and the thrill of adventure, and enjoying teamwork.
We will follow updated CDC and NYS Department of Health guidelines for social-distancing and mask-wearing, both on and off the water.
Private lessons for children
Private lessons are subject to instructor availability. Please contact us if you’re interested. Private lessons are a 3-hour session for up to 2 children, ages 7-17. For newer/younger sailors (ages 7-9), lessons will take place on Optimist Dinghies, single handed boats tailored towards newer/younger sailors. Students will learn the basics of rigging the Optimists, boat handling, sailing fundamentals, seamanship, sportsmanship, and water safety. For more experienced and/or older sailors (ages 9-17), lessons will take place in Optis, Lasers, or 420s, depending on a student’s size, experience, and maturity. Sailors will expand their skills on the water with various challenges and games. We will follow updated CDC and NYS Department of Health guidelines for social-distancing and mask-wearing, both on and off the water.
Private lessons for children
Private lessons are subject to instructor availability. Private lessons are a 3-hour session for up to 2 children, ages 7-17. For newer/younger sailors (ages 7-9), lessons will take place on Optimist Dinghies, single handed boats tailored towards newer/younger sailors. Students will learn the basics of rigging the Optimists, boat handling, sailing fundamentals, seamanship, sportsmanship, and water safety. For more experienced and/or older sailors (ages 9-17), lessons will take place in Optis, Lasers, or 420s, depending on a student’s size, experience, and maturity. Sailors will expand their skills on the water with various challenges and games. We will follow updated CDC and NYS Department of Health guidelines for social-distancing and mask-wearing, both on and off the water.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: In order to participate in the SSA instructional programs hosted by Seneca Yacht Club, your child must:
- Have all registration and medical forms on file with SSA instructors
- Have completed payment (contact us if you’d like to hear about our scholarships)
- Meet the age or skill requirements as determined by the Head Instructor
- Be able to pass an age-appropriate swim test
- Bring the following items each day:
- US Coast Guard approved life jacket (contact us if this presents an obstacle to enrollment)
- Closed-toe shoes that can get wet
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Change of clothes (including warm sweatshirt or fleece)
- Towel
- Hat
- Optional – Foul Weather Gear, raincoat, sailing gloves