Junior Sailing

Ages 5-8

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Ages 8-11

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Ages 11 & up

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Race Team

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Returning Sailors/Families

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Contact Us

KYC Sail Training Centre
juniorsailing@kingstonyachtclub.ca
Telephone: 613.547.2620

Our Mission
The Kingston Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program exists to teach and promote water safety, the sport of sailing, and encourage skill development in a safe environment for young people in the Kingston community. The program emphasizes the enjoyment and lifetime benefit of active participation in sport.

We provide a safe and fun learning environment for young sailors, and:

Teach young people safe boat handling, seamanship, and sportsmanship;
Help young people learn to sail;
Help young people learn techniques of one-design racing and to help them fully develop their one-design racing skills; and
Promote youth sailing competition.

Our overall goals are simple: Safety, fun, and success.

KYC has a long tradition of great coaches, clear waters and an amazing location to spend a few weeks in the summer. From beginners at any age to advanced racers who have sailed the world’s most famous waterways, KYC offers day camps, clinics and off-season training.

KYC has been a leader in junior sailing nationally and internationally for more than 100 years. Thousands of sailors have had the opportunity to experience sailing through KYC. Sailors from KYC’s Junior Sailing Program have gone on to compete in collegiate, national, and world competitions; including America’s Cup, and Olympic competitions while developing a lifelong passion and love for the sport.

Our Coaches

Our coaches are all Sail Canada certified and have undergone training in areas such as teaching, water safety, and first aid. Our coaches are passionate about sailing as well as passing their enjoyment and knowledge of the sport to youth sailors. They have a diverse background in sailing and while many have joined us from other clubs and places, many of our coaches have been through the KYC Junior Sailing & Race Teams programs themselves!

Instructor in Training Program

Curious what it’s like to be a sailing coach? Thinking about coaching in the future? KYC offers an Instructor in Training (IIT) program for members or graduates of the Race Team who are interested in becoming an instructor in the future. IITs commit to a full-time volunteer placement for 2 to 4 weeks in either July or August. IITs will assist coaches with daily coaching duties in a number of our programs.

Through this program, trainees will learn how to

Create CANSail lesson plans for a variety of age groups
Deliver classroom lessons
Provide on-water feedback
Set a variety of sailing courses on-water
Run KYC traditions such as Cedar Island Day and Theme Day

To apply for an IIT position please submit the following application, a cover letter and resume.

Apply now

What to Bring - The Essentials

Personal Flotation Device (PFD): must be Canadian Coast Guard or Transport Canada approved. (Available at Marine Outfitters, Canadian Tire, etc.)
Weather-Appropriate Clothing: sailors should bring comfortable athletic clothing that can get wet, a towel, a change of clothes, a bathing suit, and a rain jacket (we go sailing rain or shine!)
Sun Protection: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses (the sun is stronger than ever while on the water!).
Refillable Water Bottle: sailors should bring a water bottle to make sure they stay hydrated at all times. Water breaks and refills are always available at camp.

Nut-free Lunch: sailors must provide their own nut-free and garbage-consious lunches
Closed-Toed Shoes: Closed toed shoes must be worn at all times during camp. We recommend closed-toed sandals or running shoes on land, and sailing boots, water shoes, or quick-dry running shoes on water.
Combination Lock (optional): lockers will be assigned on the first day of camp.

Camp Info & Rules

Camp hours are from 9:00am - 4:00pm, Monday to Friday. Drop-off and pick-up times are from 8:45am - 9:00am, and 4:00pm - 4:15pm. If your sailor is going to be absent or needs to be picked up early, please send us an email to juniorsailing@kingstonyachtclub.ca or give us a call at 613.547.2620 ahead of time.
Lunches must be nut-free. Please also consider packing lunches that do not create a lot of garbage.
Lifejackets or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) must be worn at all times in/near the water or while sailing.
Listen to the coaches at all times (this includes safety instructions from other KYC coaches, not just your own). It is important that sailors do not sail away from the dock without coach permission or leave the group without notice.
Treat other sailors and coaches with respect at all times. Swearing, bullying, and violence of any kind will not be tolerated.
Treat the KYC equipment and grounds with respect.
Kingston Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program is a smoke, non-prescribed drug and alcohol free environment. Possession or use of these substances will result in serious consequences and be grounds for immediate expulsion from the KYC Junior Sailing Program

Holidays

Please note: The program WILL RUN on Canada Day and August long weekend.

Terms and Conditions & Participant Disclaimer

Please review our Terms and Conditions.

Please review our Disclaimer.