Classes

We offer a variety of classes that use three different types of sailboats, Rhodes 19s, Optimists and 420s. Each class is designed for a specific level of sailing ability that allows students to improve upon their sailing knowledge and progress throughout the summers. Classes consist of a variety of activities, often including a land lesson and drill, along with a sailing component. Classes are fun and interactive, including games and sometimes swimming!

Possible progression paths are included at the bottom of this page for reference if needed.

class offerings for summer 2024

Learn to Sail

Monday & Friday 9-12, Wednesday 1-4

Designed for youths at least 8 years old by July 1 or entering the 3rd grade who have little or no boating experience, and for experienced NSP sailors who are in the process of transitioning to single handed sailing in the Optimists. Activities will include safety procedures around the dock and in the boats, how to rig, getting acquainted with the harbor waters, and games that are related to understanding wind direction and what makes the boat go. This class will be taught in the Rhodes 19 fleet to provide the safest environment, allowing for a coach on each boat and groups of newcomers and kids with some NSP experience to learn together. Over the course of the season, students may have the opportunity to gain responsibility and transition to Opti sailing.

This class is geared towards children between 8-12 years old, but older participants are welcome and NSP will try and group older students together.

Opti I

Blue: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9-12

Red: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9-12

Designed for youths who are ready to make the transition to independent single handed sailing. These sailors will have had prior boating experience and have program approval to transition from "Learning to Sail" to "Opti I". Sailors at this level should be willing and able to learn in a boat by themselves, and by the end of the course be very comfortable in the boats by themselves in the full range of low to moderate wind conditions, and be completely able to rig and de-rig the boats by themselves. Activities will include a review of introductory activities, skills necessary for skippering and rigging an Optimist, practice boat handling skills with games and drills. This class is designed to build on the foundational skills developed in the "Learning to Sail" class and will cater to a full range of students, often for multiple years. It is split into  separate Red and Blue groups to allow for a low student to instructor ratio. In addition, one day the two classes will combine and sail in Rhodes 19s to facilitate the transition from Rhodes 19 to optimist.

Opti II

Tuesday & Thursday 1-4, Friday 9-12

Designed for youths who have had prior boating experience and are completely comfortable in the Optimist by themselves.These sailors will have had prior boating experience and have program approval to transition from "Opti I" to "Opti II". Optimist Sailors at this level should be proficient in the full range of low to moderate wind conditions, and comfortable with the challenge of high winds. Sailors should be capable of sailing up-wind, and completely able to rig and de-rig the boats independently.  Sailors at this level should be comfortable with capsizing drills and be capable of righting and bailing the boat on their own. Activities are an extension of the Opti I class, with emphasis on independence in rigging, skippering and teaching the ability to confidently sail all points of sail in more complex exercises and in more wind. This class is designed to build on Opti I and will often be repeated for multiple years.

Opti III & Intro to FEVAS

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 1-4

Designed for youths who have had significant prior boating experience are ready for advanced sailing principles and techniques in the Optimist. These sailors will have had prior boating experience and have program approval to transition from "Opti II" to "Opti III". Sailors at this level should be comfortable by themselves in the boats at all times from low to high wind situations, have advancing their sailing through practicing racing skills as a primary goal, and be well on the path adjusting and tuning the rigging for optimal performance. Activities will include advanced sailing skills necessary for racing Optimists, practice boat handling skills with games and drills as well as a weekly series of races. This class is designed to build on the Opti II class, often for multiple years, with the goal of preparing the kids to be able to participate in regional regattas. For those that are interested, there will be scheduled racing in regional regattas. Parents must be available to assist with transportation when necessary. Also, the Opti III class is intended for for advanced junior sailors who are not yet of a size and age to safely sail 420s (generally those students who have not finished 7th grade).  In addition our three new RS FEVA sailboats that were purchased in the middle of last season will be introduced to these students,

420 Light Air & Intro to FEVAS

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9-12

Designed for juniors who are able to sail an Opti competently in moderate wind that have preferably participated in a couple of years of Opti training, and are able to meet the requirements of the Opti Advanced course. Generally, students are of sufficient size to safely sail 420s after the 7th grade, and these sailors must have program approval to transition to sailing 420s. Sailors should be experienced and able to sail and rig a small boat both proficiently and safely by themselves. Students should be able to tack, jibe, sail upwind, downwind, and on a reach and appropriately trim the sail in those situations. As well, these students must be able to safely launch and return a smaller boat back to the ramp or mooring and know basic knots and basic rules of sailing. This course is designed for students and who want to learn how to sail a 420 in light air; and for second year 420 students who are ready to skipper in moderate wind. Students this summer will also have the opportunity to sail Lasers with a smaller 4.7 rig if desired. Lasers are a single-handed sailboat. In addition our three new RS FEVA sailboats that were purchased in the middle of last season will be introduced to these students,

Cruising & Intro to FEVAS

Monday & Tuesday 1- 4, Thursday 9 -12

Designed for more advanced students as an alternative, or in addition to, the racing curriculum. Students who register for this class should be able to sail a small boat proficiently, and be able to tack, jibe, sail upwind, downwind, and on a reach and appropriately trim the sail in those situations. As well, these students must be able to safely launch and return a boat back to the ramp or mooring and know basic knots and the basic rules of sailing. In this course students will sail in the larger day sailers (Rhodes 19), and be actively involved in helmsmanship, navigation, and charting a courses to sail to various destinations within local waters. Successful completion of Opti II, or qualified for 420 Light Air, or proficiency in the above skills, are reasonable prerequisites for this course. Please consult with NSP Director to discuss student suitability for this class if you are unsure. The Cruising Class can accommodate those students who have the skills necessary to register for 420 LA, but may not yet be of an age or size to safely do so, though sailing Optimist is the preferred path to sailing 420s. Students who choose the Opti III path will have 420 course priority. In addition our three new RS FEVA sailboats that were purchased in the middle of last season will be introduced to these students,

420 Advanced & Racing & Intro to FEVAS

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 1-4

Designed for juniors who want to advance their sailing skills to the top level and for those juniors who may want to race. The days will be spent sailing these high performance boats with a focus on excellent teamwork, utilizing the trapeze in high winds, learning and refining the skills necessary for competitive sailing. Participants must have demonstrated the ability to sail a 420 in moderate to heavy air. There will be three practice sessions per week and scheduled racing in regional regattas. Parents must be available to assist with transportation when necessary. Students this summer may also have the opportunity to race in Lasers, a single-handed sailboat, if desired. In addition our three new RS FEVA sailboats that were purchased in the middle of last season will be introduced to these students,

Adult Sailing

Tuesday OR Thursday 5:45pm-8pm (lesson at 5:45)

NOTE: WHEN REGISTERING YOU MUST CHOOSE EITHER THE TUESDAY NIGHT OR THE THURSDAY NIGHT SESSION. WHICHEVER NIGHT YOU CHOOSE AT REGISTRATION WILL BE YOUR NIGHT FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON.

PARTICIPANTS WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE ON THE NIGHT THEY CHOOSE AT REGISTRATION

The class meets starting at 5:45 pm for students interested in a quick ~ 15 minute pre-sail instructional talk (great for beginners), with sailing from  ~ 6 to 8. Depending on ability, participants may choose either instruction or supervised free sail. Adults may sail with other adult participants or with their children who are enrolled in the program. Please arrive promptly at 6pm to enable briefing and boat assignments. Participants will sail in the larger day sailors (Rhodes 19) and qualified students may be able to sail 420s.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are offered for sailors that want to get more out of their summer sailing season. They can be catered to the individual needs of the sailor, from basic sailing skills to advanced regatta tactics and maneuvers. Please contact NSP for more details and to book individual sessions.

Hypothetical Progression Paths