Recommended Student Progression:
- Beginner Sail (This is for you if you have never sailed before or it has been awhile and you can’t remember the basics).
- Intermediate Sail (This is for you if you know the sailing basics and can sail on your own but want to get to the next level of knowledge, experience and confidence).
- Bridge to Racing / Race Clinic (This is for you if you are an intermediate or advanced level sailor and want to learn about or get into sailboat racing or improve your existing racing skills and knowledge).
Youth Beginner – Generally ages 8 to 16. Students are introduced to sailing by way of the Optimist Dinghy or Sunfish. This class covers the fundamentals of sailing terminology, understanding the wind, sail trim, points of sail, steering, tacking, gybing, how to rig and de-rig, boat care, crew responsibilities, seamanship and safety including capsize avoidance/recovery and “rules of the road”.
Adult Beginner – Give it a try … don’t let the kids have all the fun! Covers what you need to know to sail a small sailboat (Sunfish or JY15) with an emphasis on fun and safety. The class covers the fundamentals of sailing terminology, understanding the wind, sail trim, points of sail, steering, tacking, gybing, how to rig and de-rig, boat care, crew responsibilities, seamanship and safety including capsize avoidance/recovery and “rules of the road”.
Adult/Youth Intermediate – Students will use the Optimist, Sunfish and/or JY15 sailboats depending on age, weight and skill level. Participants should already know how to rig a sailboat and be able to handle a boat on all points of sail on their own. This class builds on the basics with students learning the finer points of boat handling and sail theory. There is an emphasis on developing confidence for sailing alone. Other topics can include currents, weather, racing rules of sailing and more.
Family Intro to Sailing – This three half-days class for families and friends is a great way to try out the sport of sailing. Learn some of the basics and have some fun! A family of one or more, parents and children or a group of friends who want to experience sailing and have fun together. The ultimate goal … Have fun on the water and figure out if sailing is for you!
Adult Intro to Sailing – This three half-days class for adults is a great way to try out the sport of sailing. Learn some of the basics and have some fun! The ultimate goal; Have fun on the water and figure out if sailing is something you want to do more of!
Bridge to Racing / Race Clinic – For youth and adult intermediate and advanced sailors wanting to learn and improve sailboat racing skills and knowledge. Boat speed, tactics and racing rules on all parts of the race course will be covered both in the classroom and on the water.
Private/Semi-Private Lessons – A two hour sailing class for one or two people customized to meet your requirements and schedule. Work with one of our sailing instructors to pick the right boat and what to focus on from just a casual sail on the Bay to an introduction to the basics of sailing or fine tuning some cruising or racing skills.
Group Sail – For small groups of 4 to 6 people. A two hour cruise on Irondequoit Bay on our 19 foot Flying Scot). RCS provides a skipper and shore support, your group gets to enjoy the experience and learn a little about sailing! Our instructor contacts the group lead to work out the schedule and details for your sail.
Urban Youth Adventure Sails – This is a joint Roc City Sailing – City of Rochester sailing program for Rochester City School District students supported by the Rochester Area Community Foundation and grant funds from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. The program is scholarship based and provides urban youth with an afternoon of sailing on Irondequoit Bay and exploring the wetlands environment around the Rochester Canoe Club property. Some free play time is included to swim, play lawn games or just relax and enjoy the outdoors.