About High School Sailing at StFYC
At StFYC, High School Sailing brings students from seven San Francisco schools together in a unified training program. It’s athletic, it’s challenging, it’s coed, and it’s about the “team.”
This is a St. Francis Yacht Club program, but in competition our High School Sailing students represent their schools. Across different regions of the US, structures in this discipline vary, but in California we race very simple Flying Junior dinghies, locally and afar. StFYC supports High School Sailing in the fall semester, providing boats, coaching, hot showers, mentorship and reminders—rarely needed anymore—to bring your own water bottle, not throwaway plastic.
High School Sailing is not a beginner class. It is a competitive team environment. You don’t have to be the greatest—our coaches are here to help sailors train and improve—but you need to have made a beginning. Sailors accepted onto their High School teams should expect to be on the water twice a week for practice, work out at least one day a week, and travel and compete in regattas during the fall racing season.
If you are interested in joining your High School team, we will put you in touch with your school’s representative. We look for sailors with recent and relevant dinghy experience who are coachable, athletic and have a desire to practice hard and represent their schools well. (And have a great time.)
For sailors and would-be sailors who lack recent or relevant dinghy experience, StFYC offers Summer Camps, Spring and Fall Weekend Programs and Private Lessons that teach the basic skills to qualify for school-team try outs. There also are other quality club and community programs in the Bay Area that teach basic sailing. Some school teams are harder to make than others, and some are easier. Talk to us. There is no better way to sort the details. We are happy to offer advice and encouragement to build a future for San Francisco Bay sailors, and we look forward to being part of their success.
What do we sail?
Most high school sailing is fleet racing in double-handed dinghies such as the Flying Junior, or “FJ”. There are also single-handed regattas in Lasers or Laser Radials, and team races in FJs.
What happens at a high school regatta?
High school teams arrive at the host club early in the morning with cars full of kids and their sailing gear, towing trailers with up to six FJs. Each high school team has at least four members, two skippers and two crew. All boats are entered into a rotation. The A skippers and crew take to the water and sail the first two races. In the meantime the B teams remain ashore waiting their turn to sail. After two races the boats sail in and the A teams jump out while another school’s B team jumps into the boat to sail two races. This A/B flip-flop continues throughout the regatta. Since only half of the sailors are on the water at a time, there is a lot of fun interaction between teams while on shore.
A team’s score is cumulative of their A and B scores. Races are generally short, with the goal of both A and B teams completing six races each day.
Are there opportunities to join my school’s sailing team?
Yes! We are hosting sailing evaluations for both skipper and crew positions. To participate in evaluations, sailors must have recent/relevant sailing experience. If you are interested in joining the team but lack experience, the St. Francis Yacht Club offers learn to sail courses as well as summer sailing camps.
When does it start?
Fall sailing evaluations are in late August at the St. Francis Yacht Club.
How much does it cost?
The fee to sail is $900. Regatta expenses are additional, but reasonable. They include registration fees, food, lodging and travel.
What are the benefits of joining the sailing team?
- Sailing is a co-ed competitive sport
- Colleges actively recruit talented sailors for their college teams
- Sailing not only involves a high level of physical strength and agility but it teaches students about navigation, physics, the marine environment, SF Bay and the importance of teamwork
- Sailing is a worldwide activity that can take you around the globe and provide an instant introduction to people in every country
- Sailing is a sport you will enjoy throughout your life
What are the benefits of sailing out of St. Francis Yacht Club?
- Access to world-class facilities including locker rooms with showers and saunas
- Safe, quality access to the water.
- Supervised use of a fleet of FJ sailboats
- Safety and rescue boats on the water at all times with liability coverage through the Club
- Professional coaching during regattas and practices
What is required to sail at StFYC?
- Completed registration forms
- Payment
- Proof of swimming ability
- Enthusiasm and commitment
- Two days of out-of-practice physical fitness every week
The sailing season is approaching fast and we look forward to all the excitement of the new school year, new sailors and another great season. Our 10-week season starts on Sept 5th. There is no practice the week of September 12 - 15. We will end the Fall practice schedule on Nov 17th. We will support the Rose Bowl Regatta in January.
A few important items to share with new and returning sailors.
Preseason Parent and Sailor Meeting
Wednesday August 16th, 6:30pm at the St Francis Yacht Club
Recommended for all interested, new and returning sailors and parents.
We will cover the upcoming season: Structure, Opportunities, Travel, Practice, Teams, etc.
If parents are out of town, we will make the information covered available via email.
Sailing Evaluations:
Saturday Aug 19: 9:30 -12:00 OR 1:00-3:30
Sunday Aug 20: 9:30 -12:00 OR 1:00-3:30
Monday Aug 21: 12:00- 2:30 OR 3:30-6:00
Tuesday Aug 22: 12:00- 2:30 OR 3:30-6:00
New and returning sailors must attend one time slot.
There are 10 spaces available per time slot.
New sailors must have recent and relevant dinghy experience to participate.
Outcome of Evaluations
Friday, August 25th we will email all participants on the outcome: Varsity Sailing Team, Junior Varsity Sailing Team, Beginning or Learn to Race Weekend Courses, or a combination of the team and a weekend course.