2024 Junior Sailing Program
at Echo Bay Yacht Club
New Rochelle, NY
New For 2024: Lunch is now included for all full-day programs in New Rochelle!
See the draft menu for July here
New Rochelle Municipal Marina
22 Pelham Rd. New Rochelle, NY 10801
Port Sailing has been operating Junior Sailing programs for over 17 years. We operate both Echo Bay Yacht Club and Harlem Yacht Clubs programs. Membership to EBYC and HYC is not required. Club members do receive a discount. The program requires a commitment by the parent and child to participate in a sport and learn to sail. No refunds after June 1. Echo Bay Yacht Club is a member club of the Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound and US Sailing. Individual membership to JSA of Long Island Sound is required if your child is participating in the racing program.
Student Requirements:
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8 years of age
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Able to swim 50 yards and pass a swim test while wearing a PFD.
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Can exhibit an understanding of the risks involved with sailing
Recommendations:
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Sailing gloves, water shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a rain jacket
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A U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type III Personal Flotation Device (PFD) with a plastic whistle attached.
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If you do not have one, we will provide it. However, a personal one is recommended for comfort.
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Our Staff:
Our coaches for Junior Sailing have an average of 5 or more years of experience sailing and have completed a minimum of US Sailing Level 1 course and powerboat safety training. Member clubs host the US Sailing training programs. Recently, Echo Bay Yacht Club hosted the Level 1 course for EBYC neighboring clubs. The focus of training is on safety and fun for the kids. Our Level 2 coaches have the experience necessary to coach kids participating in local yacht club race events.
10% Early Enrollment Discount (book by March 1st): JREARLYBIRD24
Adventure Sailing
9 am to 4 pm
Ages 8 to 16
The adventure sailing program is designed for sailors who do not have an interest in performance sailing and would like to spend their time sailing in a more relaxed environment open for both beginner and experienced sailors. Students are grouped by age and/or experience. Children have the opportunity to sail both small and larger boats with their instructors. Activities include boating safety, aids to navigation, and knot tying. Bring your lunch and a vest-type life jacket. A swim test is required with a life jacket. Boats used include Laser, Zuma, Bic Open, and Sonar sailboats. 9 to 4 pm weekdays. See below for extended hours 8 to 5 pm by week.
Session Dates:
July 1 - July 12
July 15 - July 26
July 29 - August 9
August 12 - August 23
Optimist 1
9 am to 4 pm
Ages 8 to 14
Introduction Optimus is the most fundamental sailing program that is offered. It is designed for kids who have never sailed before to learn all the necessary skills to sail their own boat. This is highly recommended for any new sailor. The Optimist is the largest sailboat class in the world. This is the sailboat that nearly all of the greatest sailors in the world learn to sail. It is an 8-foot boat sailed by just one person. Kids learn all the basics of sailing; upwind, downwind, tacking gybing, tying knots, sail trim, steering, bailing water out of the boat, rigging, de-rigging, teamwork, safety, etc. The course introduces the student to the sport of sailing, starting from the very basics. Opti Race Team is the next level. Meets 9 to 4 weekdays. See below for extended hours available by week.
Session Dates:
July 1 - July 12
July 15 - July 26
July 29 - August 9
August 12 - August 23
EBYC Race Team
9 am to 4 pm
Ages 10 to 14
This program is limited to experienced sailors who have either sailed at other clubs and want to race in Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound events in Opti, 420 or RS Feva boats. . Coaches will work closely to develop the sailing skills necessary to compete at local yacht club race events. If your son or daughter has the passion this is the next level in Junior Sailing that can ultimately lead to Regional/National events and later to college sailing.
Requirements: previous sailing experience, and desire to participate in race events. First-year racers will participate in Green Fleet events designed to focus on sportsmanship learning to race. Membership to JSA Long Island Sound is required to participate in regattas. Contact us via email below for more information regarding racing teams.
Capacity for sailors using club boats are very limited, sailors who can provide their own boat will have a guaranteed spot.
Session Dates:
July 1 - July 26
July 29 - August 23
Little Skippers Program (Half Day Mornings)
9 am to Noon, Two Week Program
Ages 8 to 10
This program is for the little guys that are looking for fun on the water and at the club located on beautiful Echo Island. The children have the opportunity to sail a variety of small boats. The goal of this course is to build young sailors' love for sailing in a controlled and safe environment. The class is designed to work with the children at the level that they are comfortable with. Activities build confidence and include sailing, knot tying, nautical terminology, crafts, songs, water activities, and "messing about in boats". We emphasize the importance of teamwork, respect, and safety in daily lessons. Our number one goal is to pass on our passion for the sport to the next generation of Echo Bay sailors This is a rain or shine program.
Session Dates:
July 1 - July 12
July 15 - July 26
July 29 - August 9
August 12 - August 23
Junior Sailing Events
Open House
Please RSVP through the EBYC website. Check out the island and facilities.
Parents Visiting Day
Come join us at Echo Bay Yacht Club for lunch with your child at noon on the second Wednesday of each session. Launch service to the island departs from B Dock at the New Rochelle Marina starting at 11:30. Siblings and friends are always welcome. Lunch is served from 12 noon to 1:00 PM. Fee $10 per adult, no charge for kids. Please RSVP by email.
Commodore's Cup
August 13, 2022, all experienced sailors are encouraged to participate in this EBYC race event. The races start at 10:30 am on Saturday. Skippers' meeting takes place at 9:30 am. One design class boats include Opti, Bic Open, and Pixel. The award ceremony and lunch take place at 12:30. A fee of $75 includes awards, coaches, boats, and lunch for parents and children. The spectator area is located on Echo Island at the Yacht club.
Counselor in Training (CIT)
Ages 15 and older
This program is open to students 15 years of age or older with three years prior sailing experience. Completion of ASA, YRA or US Sailing certification program is a plus. Applicants should have prior sailing experience on boats greater than 15 foot in length. Persons entering this program are preparing to become a Junior Sailing Instructor. Applicants should be mature, responsible and demonstrate leadership skills.
During the program applicants will complete the NY State Safe Boating Program, CPR and First Aid training. This is a great gateway to a future position teaching sailing at camps, yacht clubs and sailing schools. All CITs are supervised and mentored by a Port Sailing instructor.
This is limited program requiring an interview. Port Sailing does not guarantee future employment.