Junior Sailing

Junior Sailing Optimist Program

Once sailors have graduated from taking classes in the enclosed Inner Lagoon, they can move to our Junior Sailing Optimist program off of Main Beach. Designed for one sailor, these 8-foot dinghies offer an excellent training platform for both novice and advanced sailors in an easily righted boat. Optimists were added to our program in 1998. The Optimist one-design class has over 130,000 boats worldwide.

Participants in this program must be between the ages of 9 and 15 and have at least intermediate sailing abilities. First year Optimist Sailors are placed in Green Fleet and are allowed coaching from instructors during races. After the first year, GLP Optimist Sailors compete in Racing Fleet. Our Optimist sailors compete in weekly races, accruing points toward trophies and travel to compete in local regattas. The Optimist serves as a sturdy platform to improve lifelong sailing skills and racing technique.

All Optimist dinghies in the Junior Sailing Program must have their own dolly, tie-downs, and boat cover for proper storage and efficient, safe launching.

Completion of the Junior Sailing Statement of Understanding is required for participation in the Junior Sailing Optimist Program. All Optimists require a sticker, which will be available in the Yacht Club office upon completion of the Storm Plan. Both these forms will be emailed to participants after registration. They can also be found by clicking on the form name below, reviewed, completed, and emailed to office@glpyc.org.

We have a “Boat Sales/Rentals” forum under the "Member Services" (available only when logged-in). Please use this forum (and/or the bulletin board in the Casino) if you are looking to buy, sell, or rent an Optimist.

420s

Sailors who have completed the Seashell program and/or have outgrown the Optimists can participate in our 420 program. The 420 is an easily righted fiberglass boat with jib, mainsail, spinnaker, and trapeze sailed by a skipper and crew. It is fast, responsive, and a great platform to hone sailing skills. These boats are used both in high school and college programs.  At GLP, 420s are sailed off Main Beach.  
 
420 sailors must be at least 11 years old and have knowledge of sailing along with racing skills. 420 sailors compete for GLP trophies and travel to local yacht clubs for inter-club regattas.

Completion of the Junior Sailing Statement of Understanding is required for participation in the 420 Junior Sailing Program. All 420s require a sticker, which will be available in the Yacht Club office upon completion of the Storm Plan. Both these forms will be emailed to participants after registration. They can also be found by clicking on the form name below, reviewed, completed, and emailed to office@glpyc.org.

We have a “Boat Sales/Rentals” forum under the "Member Services" tab (available only when logged in). Please use this forum (and/or the bulletin board in the Casino) if you are looking to buy, sell, or rent a 420.