Youth Team

The GSC Youth Sailing Team provides youth sailors with various opportunities to advance their sailing skill through tailored instruction in a fun and engaging environment. Sailors will work to perform in a variety of conditions and situations, and theoretical aspects including racing tactics and strategies will be introduced and refined. Youth team members will receive the coaching, equipment, and logistical support needed to achieve success in competitive dinghy sailing. The goal of the youth sailing team is to provide youth with an impactful sailing experience and the opportunity to take the leap into racing at a young age.

Why is sailing important?

Sailing empowers youth to engage in an active lifestyle while simultaneously building confidence and developing resilience. GSC youth teams facilitate the advancement of on-water skills while providing a safe and supportive environment for sailors to achieve their personal sailing goals. Sailors will build camaraderie and develop friendships with other team members who share in the sailing experience.

Youth Sailing Club (ages 5-14)
Recommended minimum CANSail 1 or equivalent

The Youth Sailing Club is intended for sailors with little to no sailing experience and is perfect for those wanting to gain confidence on the water while having tons of fun. The Youth Sailing Club program utilizes the Optimist, C420, ILCA, and San Juan 21 classes of sailboat to develop fundamental sailing and introductory racing skills.

The Youth Sailing Club training will consist of Thursday evening training that will run from 6:00pm-9:00pm, in addition to GSC regattas. The Youth Sailing Club sailors interested in racing will be provided opportunities to participate in Wednesday Night Racing and other events throughout the season. Sailors in the Youth Sailing Club are encouraged, but not required, to partake in WNR and regattas.

Youth Development Team (ages 14-18)
Minimum CANSail 2 (or CANSail 3 if no prior racing experience)

The Youth Development Team is for sailors with previous racing or sufficient recreational experience. DEV is intended for those wanting to sail lots while advancing their skill in a fun and engaging environment. The Youth Development Team utilizes the Opti, ILCA, C420, Byte, and San Juan 21 classes of sailboats to refine boat handling skills and build on fundamental sailing technique. Additional focus will be on expanding intermediate racing abilities.

The Youth Development Team training will consist of Thursday evening training that will run from 5:45pm-9:00pm, in addition to Wednesday Night Racing and GSC regattas. Other in- and out-of-province regattas and training camps will be subject to additional coaching fees.

Youth High Performance Race Team (ages 14-21)
Minimum CANSail 4 (recommended CANSail 5)

The Youth High Performance Race Team is for sailors with extensive racing and sailing experience aspiring to race in highly competitive arenas (eg. CORK, Canada Summer Games, etc.). Additional focus on interdisciplinary training including nutrition, biomechanics, and sport psychology optimizes class-specific fitness while building comradery both on and off the water. The HP program utilizes the ILCA, C420, and 29er classes of sailboats to refine and master racing skills for high-calibre competition.

HP training will consist of Monday evening dry-land and Tuesday evening on-water sessions that will run from 5:45pm-9:00pm, in addition to Wednesday Night Racing and all in-province regattas. Out-of-province regattas and training camps will be subject to additional coaching fees. Interdisciplinary training and seminars are used to supplement the program.

Youth Team Registration

(member's area - youth or family membership required)

Regattas and Training Camps

The Youth Sailing Team participates in a number of events throughout the season. These training opportunities support ongoing sailor development and solidify racing skills. Dates for this season can be found in the youth team package.

If you have any questions regarding whether or not your child has enough experience to join the Youth Race Team, please contact the Head Sailing Instructor or Youth Coordinator. If your child does not meet the requirements, we will be happy to accept them into many of our other programs for some instruction prior to joining the team.

For a more comprehensive overview of the GSC Youth Race Team program, our Youth Race Team Package provides more details.

Youth Coordinator: Paula Patterson

Weekly training:

Youth Sailing Club (YSC): Thursday 6-9 (some WNR)

Development Team (DEV): Thursday 6-9 and WNR

High Performance Team (HP): Mon, Tues 6-9 and WNR

2022 training camp and regatta dates:

Regattas:

April 23/24 Kitten Cup at RVYC

April 30/May 1 Spring Dinghies at RVic

June 4/5 Icebreaker at CYC

June 11/12 Founders at WSC

June 18/19 Driftwood at GSC

July 9/10 Prairie Winds at NSC

July 15-17 SailWest at Gimli Yacht Club

July 23 Midsummer at GSC

Aug. CORK at Kingston (Opti/Ilca/29er dates forthcoming)

Aug 14-18 Canada Summer Games (for those that are selected by ASA) in Niagara

Sept 3-5 ASA provincials at TBD

Sept 10/11 Frostbite at GSC

Oct Pumpkin Bowl at WVYC

Oct Fall Dinghies at RVicYC

Training Camps:

May 14/15 CYC

May 21-23 WSC

May 29/29 CYC