The afternoon Opti program provides a great opportunity for older Opti sailors. There are three groups: Beginner Afternoon Opti, Opti Development Team, and Opti Race Team.
Schedule: All Afternoon Opti Classes meet Monday - Friday, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Ages: Afternoon Opti sailors must turn at least 9 years old by December 31 of the calendar year. To participate in our Development on Race teams sailors must have completed Dorados or have permission from the Sailing Director.
Required Gear: Every child registered for an Opti program is required to provide an Opti to sail in, a USCG approved lifejacket, and all necessary gear. Click Here for a JSA gear list with recommended vendors such as Landfall Navigation and/or Boat Locker. You can buy, rent, or borrow your Opti - just be sure that your child has one! Opti Development and Race Teams also require dollies.
Afternoon Opti Class Descriptions
Beginner Afternoon Opti (New for 2024!)
Age: Typically 9+ years old within the calendar year
Meeting Place: West Lawn
New for 2024, our Afternoon Beginner Opti class is designed as a faster paced introduction to Opti sailing for children interested in joining our Opti programs at an older age. Over the course of the summer this class will take beginner Opti sailors from an introduction to sailing and boating safety through beginning racing and cruising. Our goal is that by the end of the summer, children will be able to rig their boats, feel comfortable sailing on their own, enjoy cruising and exploring the harbor with friends, and have the skill needed to participate in regattas. Chalk talks and debriefs will occur daily. Sailors in this class may participate in Green Fleet regattas or step into White, Blue, or Red Fleets when they are ready. By the end of the summer sailors should feel confident graduating to our Dorado or Adventure sailing classes; sailors may also choose to repeat this class to solidify their skills.
Opti Development Team
Ages: Typically 10-15 years old
Meeting Place: Opti Dock
This program is designed for Opti sailors who have graduated from Dorados. The curriculum covers safety, seamanship, sportsmanship, and advanced boat-handling and racing skills. Participants will demonstrate a working understanding of the “Racing Rules of Sailing” and the protest / arbitration process. The curriculum will cover basic racing strategy as well as navigation. Participants may choose to participate in appropriate White, Blue, and Red Fleet Opti regattas. All participants take part in our Captains Harbor series. Sailors who take this class might also be interested in the our Morning Adventure class. Dollies are required for this class, we recommend boat top covers as well.
Prerequisite: Dorado or Sailing Director approval.
Opti Race Team
Ages: Typically 10-15 years old
Meeting Place: Drysail
This program is designed for our most advanced Opti Sailors with a heavy focus on racing. The curriculum covers safety, seamanship, sportsmanship, and advanced boat-handling and racing skills. Participants will demonstrate a working understanding of the “Racing Rules of Sailing” and how to use this knowledge tactically. The curriculum will cover fleet racing and team racing. Participants may choose to participate in appropriate regional Opti regattas. All participants take part in our Captains Harbor regattas. Participants must provide their own Opti. Sailors who take this class might also be interested in the our Morning Adventure class. Dollies are required for this class, we recommend boat top covers as well.
Prerequisite: Opti Development Team or Sailing Director approval.
