SCSEF offers Opti sailing classes for younger youth who are starting out and Single Handed Sailing for our older sailors who are looking to develop their skills sailing Lasers and/or Sunfish.
Middle/High school aged youth who are just starting out and would like to sail should join the Middle/High School Sailing Group. That class is found under Competitive Sailing.
Opti’s (Sailing Development)
Opti sailing classes are open to our youngest sailors who are just learning to sail or have some sailing experience and want to learn to compete. These classes will use our Opti sailboats.
Our classes offer a mix of on-the water practice, drills, and classroom instruction to help sailors advance their abilities. There are four different classes offered depending on the sailors experience and skill level.
Opti students are taught the fundamentals of sailing such as:
- How to rig, de-rig, launch, and recover small sailing dinghies.
- When to tell if it is safe to sail and how to read wind and weather conditions.
- How to sail across all points of sail in light to moderate breezes.
- How to be comfortable getting into and out of a sailboat in the water.
- Dinghy racing, including strategy and tactics
- Racing rules
Students should be between 8 and 12 and be able to swim as well as be comfortable in open water.
When are Class Sessions?
Classes run by season. Fall Season starts after Labor Day and ends before the Christmas holidays (15 weeks). There are no classes the week of Thanksgiving.
Opti Beginner Learn to Sail Homeschool classes are held from 9:30 to noon, or from 12:30 to 3:30 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Opti Beginner Learn to Sail After School classes are held from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Opti Beginner Green Fleet classes are held from 9 am to 12 noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Green Fleet are sailors who have minimum 1 season of sailing experience and are ready to learn race strategies.
Opti Red/White/Blue Fleet classes are held from 1 to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and tentatively 3:30 to 6:30 on Fridays subject to coach’ availability. Red/White/Blue Fleet are sailors who have a minimum of one year sailing experience and are ready to start racing.
What’s the cost?
Beginner Opti class – $450 for the season (15 weeks). No MYC membership discount.
Opti Green classes – $550 for the season (15 weeks). No MYC membership discount.
Opti R/W/B fleet – $725 for the season (15 weeks). MYC members receive a 25% discount. This includes regatta shared cost.
Please note that once classes start, there are no refunds.
Single Handed Sailing
Single handed sailing classes are now open to our sailors who have prior sailing experience (in any type of dinghy sailing). This course is designed for sailors looking to develop their single-handed sailing skills using our Lasers and Sunfish sailboats. Participants will learn fundamental techniques in rigging, maneuvering, and racing these popular dinghies.
Ideal for beginner and intermediate sailors, this class offers a mix of on-the water practice, drills, and classroom instruction to help sailors advance their abilities and prepare for competitive sailing. Emphasis will be placed on safety, understanding the rules of racing, and building confidence on the water.
The single handed sailing class will cover essential skills such as:
- Sail trim
- Tacking
- Gybing
- Boat handling in various wind conditions
- Dinghy racing, including strategy and tactics
- Racing rules
Students should be between 12 and 18 and be able to swim as well as be comfortable in open water.
When are Class Sessions?
Classes are held from 3:30 to 7 pm on Wednesdays, and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
What’s the cost?
Single Handed Sailing classes are $825 per season. Melbourne Yacht Club members receive a 25% discount. There is an additional seasonal boat usage fee of $100 for use of club owned boats.
Please note that once classes start, there are no refunds.
General (but very important!) Information
What to Bring to Class:
- Layered clothing that can get wet, plus a change of clothes
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, towel, bathing suit
- Closed-toe, nonskid shoes
- Full refillable water bottle
- Personal Life Jacket (Type 3 PFD is preferred)
Are sessions held during inclement weather?
Class sessions are held rain or shine. In the event of dangerous weather such as lightning or high winds or extreme heat sessions will be held inside the Melbourne Yacht Club Facility.
Where are classes held?
All classes are sailed out of the Melbourne Yacht Club, 1202 E River Dr., Melbourne, FL, 32901.
For more information:
If you have any questions about which class your child should take or want to try a class to help see where they fit best, please contact our Sailing Director at SpaceCoastSailingFoundation@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!