About Sarasota Youth Sailing
Something For Everyone!
Sarasota Youth Sailing (SYS) initially started as a Summer Camp Program. Since its beginning days the summer program has grown with approximately 400 youth ages 5-18 attending camp each summer. The summer camp consists of one and two week sessions that teach beginning and intermediate sailing.
In 1994, the SYS Race Team was formed. Sailors competed locally, regionally, and nationally in Optimists, 420s and Laser sail boats. We currently have over 75 sailors participating in the year round program. In the mid 1990’s we added High School Sailing and currently support teams from Sarasota High School, Riverview, Sarasota Military Academy, Pine View, Manatee High School, and Polytech. High School Sailing allows youth the opportunity to sail on a team and gives them the opportunity to race against teams locally and nationally. In 2007, we added multihulls to the program for our more advanced sailors.
In recent years, we have created various programs to support all skill levels and interests, including Recreational Sailing and Homeschool Sailing.
Sailing with Sarasota Youth Sailing is about far more than learning to race- it’s about building skills and relationships that last a lifetime. Through sailing, our athletes develop confidence, teamwork, resilience, leadership, and problem-solving skills that carry into school, careers, and life beyond the water. Along the way, they form lifelong friendships with teammates who share the same passion and values. Our program has also proven that young sailors can truly succeed at the highest levels of the sport: Sarasota Youth Sailing proudly fields a Nacra 15 team on the US Sailing Youth National Team, has sent sailors to compete at the Youth Sailing World Championship, and counts multiple alumni currently campaigning for the Olympic Games, with many more having done so in the past. Countless graduates have gone on to compete in college sailing and earn All-American honors, representing Sarasota on national and international stages. These achievements are possible because of the strong foundation, coaching, and community found at Sarasota Youth Sailing.